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Distinguished Thesis & Dissertation Awards

These awards were established by the Arts & Sciences Graduate Studies Advisory Board in 2004-2005 to recognize exemplary achievement in graduate student research. Recipients have been honored for the significance of their original research. Beginning in 2023, these awards are now presented in honor of Virginia Torczon who served as Dean of Graduate Studies & Research, 2013-2022.

Distinguished Thesis Awards

The master's students' theses must be based on original research and contribute to the discipline. A panel of scholars will judge the merit of the work. There are two awards of $500 each: one in the Humanities and Humanistic Social Sciences (American Studies, Anthropology, and History); and one in the Natural, Computational, and Psychological Sciences (Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, and Psychological Sciences).

Distinguished Dissertation Awards

The doctoral students' dissertations must be based on original research and contribute significantly to the discipline. A panel of scholars will judge the merit of the work. There are two awards of $1,000 each: one in the Humanities and Humanistic Social Sciences (American Studies, Anthropology, and History); and one in the Natural and Computational Sciences (Applied Science, Computer Science, and Physics). In instances where the panel deems that their rankings warrant an honorable mention, a Notable Dissertation Award of $500 may be offered in either or both disciplinary categories. Notable Dissertation Awards are subject to the availability of funds.

Nominations

Students are nominated for thesis and dissertation awards by their thesis/dissertation advisor.