INFORMATION FOR
William Paterson University’s College of Science and Health provides outstanding undergraduate and graduate programs and state-of-the-art facilities that place the University at the forefront of science education in New Jersey.
The College encompasses our School of Nursing, which was established in 2023 and has grown to become the largest in Northern New Jersey and among public regional universities in the state. The College also includes the departments of biology, chemistry, computer science, speech language pathology, environmental science, kinesiology, mathematical sciences, and public health.
Our more than 100 full-time faculty are accomplished teachers, researchers, and grant winners. They foster an environment that combines intellectual inquiry with the learning of practical skills, while nurturing and guiding students toward success in their future roles as knowledgeable and responsible employees and citizens.
When you enroll in the College of Science and Health, you will benefit from a wide range of hands-on learning opportunities in our advanced facilities, including our Science Complex, which features smart classrooms and sophisticated research laboratories designed to encourage an interactive learning environment; 3D Anatomy and Virtual Dissection lab; and a cybersecurity lab, among others. Biological and environmental studies students utilize woods, ponds, streams, and a waterfall, all accessible from the campus.
Students in health-related subjects receive valuable experience in the many health facilities in northern New Jersey. In addition, nursing students benefit from the Nel Bolger, RN, Nursing Laboratory, a high-tech patient simulation laboratory suite that enables them to enhance proficiency with decision-making and procedures in a sophisticated, clinical facility. Students in our kinesiology programs have access to resources including a Human Performance Lab, Phlebotomy Lab, and Human Motion Lab, among others. In addition, our on-campus Speech and Hearing Clinic also offers clinical experience opportunities to graduate students in our speech-language pathology program.
The mission of the College of Science and Health is threefold:
Goals of the College of Science and Health:
Dean, College of Science and Health
EMAIL: sharmav@wpunj.edu
PHONE: 973-720-2194
OFFICE: Science Hall East #3019
Associate Dean, College of Science and Health
EMAIL: zelekem@wpunj.edu
PHONE: 973-720-3415
OFFICE: Science Hall East #3017
Interim Associate, Dean School of Nursing
EMAIL: nocellaj1@wpunj.edu
PHONE: 973-720-3491
OFFICE: University Hall #342
Just one year after earning his bachelor’s degree in environmental sustainability from William Paterson University, Jason Peralta ‘25 has already devoted more than 1,700 hours to protecting New Jersey's waterways, educating residents, and collecting scientific data that helps monitor the state's environmental health.
Peralta recently completed an AmeriCorps term with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Watershed Ambassadors Program. During his 10-month service term, he delivered 67 educational presentations, conducted 38 biological and habitat stream assessments, identified more than 1,000 aquatic macroinvertebrates, and partnered with community organizations on cleanup, restoration, and tree-planting projects.
For Peralta – a first-generation college graduate from Hackensack, New Jersey who came to WP via the Educational Opportunity Fund – those accomplishments represent more than impressive statistics; they reflect the opportunity to translate classroom learning into meaningful public service.
“Serving with AmeriCorps has been an amazing experience,” Peralta says. “I loved organizing community events where we can come together and build our environment up, whether it be removing trash or planting trees. It was pleasant to see the community work toward a common goal: taking care of our planet.”
As an undergraduate, Peralta immersed himself in opportunities both inside and outside the classroom. An Honors College student in the Global Public Health track, he complemented his environmental sustainability major with minors in public health, social justice, and anthropology, developing a multidisciplinary perspective on the connections between environmental systems and human health.
“William Paterson shaped the way I approach environmental challenges by combining faculty mentorship with hands-on learning opportunities,” Peralta says. “These experiences strengthened my analytical skills, introduced me to field and laboratory research, and prepared me to address environmental challenges that impact both ecosystems and public health.”
Working closely with environmental science professors Michael Griffiths and Nicole Davi, Peralta studied soil and lake sediments, as well as tree rings, to better understand climate history and environmental change.
His academic experience opened doors to competitive summer research opportunities, including a National Science Foundation-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program, where he studied urban ecology and biodiversity alongside some of the nation’s best scholars. He also completed internships with Rutgers University's Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve and Cornell University Cooperative Extension in New York.
Peralta developed leadership skills at William Paterson, serving as a member of the swim team, an Honors College Peer Leader, Student Ambassador, Orientation Leader, and student representative to the University Board of Trustees. Those experiences, he said, helped prepare him to communicate effectively with diverse audiences – an important part of his work as a Watershed Ambassador.
Looking toward his next chapter, Peralta is currently interviewing for full-time professional roles as an environmental health scientist.
" From the time I started at William Paterson, I’ve been able to connect with my professors, including doing research over the summer, working in a biology lab."
Francisco Perez Ramos Biology/Pre-medical professions major | Class of 2025
"Majoring in Exercise Physiology here at William Paterson University has enriched my educational journey and my personal growth. This program provides in-depth hands-on experience, allows you to develop a great relationship with our amazing professors, and offers excellent internship opportunities; the professors give you many options and really want to find the perfect fit for you. Overall, this major equips students with all the knowledge and skills they need to be successful: It empowers individuals to make a big impact on the well-being of others."
Diana Zuta Exercise physiology major | Class of 2025
“Since I stepped foot into William Paterson, I’ve continuously been guided with support every step of the way. Thank you to the amazing Dr. Martin, who has invited me to partake in his research … to the ASPIRE STEM program, who have always been by my side offering me support … and to William Paterson’s professors in the College of Science and Health for continuously pushing me and supporting my dreams of becoming a physician.”
Jerline Nathaly Sanchez Biology/Premedical professions| Class of 2027
