The Chemistry Department offers the following Prizes and Awards:
Canadian Society for Chemistry Silver Medal
Awarded on departmental recommendation, a silver medal to the highest ranking chemistry major entering the senior or graduating year of study.
Dr. Margaret-Ann Armour Award
Established by the NSERC Chair for Women in Science and Engineering Program – Atlantic Region, this award is in memory of Dr. Margaret-Ann Armour, CM. With enduring fondness for her Scottish homeland and the quality of Scotland’s academic programs, this Canadian chemist was an active advocate for women in science across Canada.
She is well-known for her research expertise in the handling, recycling and disposing of hazardous chemical waste, and for being an active and vocal advocate for women in science. Dr. Armour founded the Women in Scholarship, Engineering, Science and Technology (WISEST) program, and served as the first Associate Dean of Science for Diversity at the University of Alberta. She was named a Canada 150 ambassador in 2017, a member of the Order of Canada in 2006, and a 3M Teaching Fellow in 1996, Canada’s premier award for undergraduate teaching.
This award will be presented annually on the recommendation of the Departments of Chemistry/Physics, Biology and Mathematics to undergraduate female students or students identifying as women majoring in Chemistry, Physics, Biology or Mathematics with proven volunteer experience on the MSVU campus or larger community while studying at MSVU. Students must also have demonstrated growth in their understanding of their chosen scientific discipline. Three awards will be made annually (one in each Department) to a female student or those identifying as women who have completed a minimum of 5.0 units and maximum of 10.0 units in the Bachelor of Science program; who has achieved a minimum GPA of 2.4; and who has not yet received another scholarship or monetary award at MSVU within the same year.
Applicants must submit a resume and short cover letter to the head of their Department (chemphys@msvu.ca) identifying their volunteer work either across the MSVU campus or in the community while studying at MSVU.
Sister Mary Evelyn Award:
Awarded by the Sisters of Charity, Halifax, to recognize Sister Mary Evelyn Fitzgerald, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry. On the recommendation of the chemistry faculty, this award will be given to a third year (or having completed 10.0 units) chemistry major with a GPA of at least 3.5.
Sister Patricia Mullins Award in Chemistry:
Inaugurated by the Chemistry Department to recognize and to commemorate the years of distinguished service which Sister Mullins gave as a teacher, researcher and administrator at the Mount. This financial award and certificate will be presented annually to a full-time returning student in the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Science in Applied Human Nutrition program who has demonstrated outstanding performance in CHEM 1011 and 1012 and other entry-level courses.
Susan Boyd Endowed Prize for Excellence in Chemistry:
Established by Dr. Boyd’s Family on the occasion of her retirement from Mount Saint Vincent University to recognize her distinguished record of achievement and her dedication to her students. This prize will be presented annually to a student who has demonstrated academic excellence, has completed a minimum of 3.0 units in chemistry, and who intends to pursue advanced study in chemistry or teach chemistry at the secondary level. Applicants must submit a letter detailing their future academic and career plans and submit to the Chair, Department of Chemistry – (via email – chemphys@msvu.ca).
Physics student awards can be found on the Physics website.
Ms. Alyssa Doué (left) presenting the Susan Boyd Endowed Prize for Excellence in Chemistry to Paige Thornton (right) at the 2025 Science Awards Ceremony