The Department of Physics awards various prizes to our undergraduate students at the end of each year.
Arnott Prize in Physics
Awarded annually to the magistrand who, having passed all the examinations for their degree, produced the most distinguished performance in the experimental branches of Physics.
Geddes Prize in Physics
Awarded annually to the undergraduate student who submits the best photograph or written or other description of some natural physical phenomenon personally observed during the previous year.
A. E. M. Geddes was on the staff of the Department of Natural Philosophy (the old name for Physics) from 1909 to 1955. His speciality was meteorology and his excellent book Meteorology: An Introductory Treatise has numerous examples relevant to Aberdeen and is illustrated by George Aubourne Clark's internationally acclaimed cloud photographs, taken at King's College. The Prize was inaugurated by his daughters. Since "a photograph is worth a thousand words", the prize has gone to the best photograph in recent years.
The submission deadline is by the end of the teaching in May each year.
Rules:
- Pictures must be taken by yourself in the year leading up to the submission deadline (i.e. from June the previous year).
- Please supply a description of the photograph (i.e. what physical phenomenon we are looking at) and any special details of how the photograph was taken.
- The picture should not be altered (e.g. using Photoshop or AI techniques) and therefore should carry, with the file, the original date.
- Written entries should be short, no more than one page in length.
There is a list of winners and accompanying photos from 1997-2009
Geomagnetism Edinburgh Prize
Awarded annually for a student performance of distinction in some areas of geomagnetism and aeronomy.
Greig Prize in Physics
Awarded to the student who has exhibited the greatest proficiency in the study of Physics. The examiners shall be the examiners in Physics for the honours degree of MA or BSc, who will recommend the candidate.
Coronation Prize
Awarded to the student, who having passed all exams for their degree, has demonstrated an outstanding overall performance in all branches of the study of Physics. (Student must have achieved 1st class marks in all year 3 and 4 courses.)