INFORMATION FOR
In the Department of Environmental Science, our professors mentor their students to develop the skills to become the next generation of scientists, educators, informed citizens, and real-world problem solvers.
Alumni in science and health employed or in graduate school within 6 months after graduation
Average starting salaries in Environmental Science (NACE)
Noteworthy Environmental Science Jobs and Mid-Career Salaries 8+ Years of Experience (PayScale)
The BS in Environmental Science and Sustainability explores the interaction between humans and the environment through both the natural sciences and interdisciplinary perspectives. Students begin with foundational courses in biology, chemistry, and other natural sciences, and progress to advanced coursework that links these sciences to environmental challenges. The program also integrates studies of society, politics, and human health as they relate to environmental problems, emphasizing the formation, development, and management of environmental resources. Designed to provide a holistic understanding of the environment, the program culminates in a Senior Practicum, where students apply their training to a real-world case study to broaden their understanding of a specific environmental issue.
View academic program requirements and course descriptions in the University Course Catalog:
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The BA in earth science major is designed for students who wish to apply to the K-12 teacher preparation program in which a double major in education is required. Students must complete a sequence of education courses offered by the College of Education in order to achieve licensure. Earth science is an integral part of instruction in the K-12 classroom as defined by the New Jersey Core Content Science Standards.
Accelerated Program:
A BA in integrated mathematics and science with a concentration in environmental science gives students a broad knowledge in the fields of geology, ecology, chemistry, physics, and biology. Students must also complete requisite courses in calculus and statistics. This broad foundational knowledge is ideal for students pursuing a career in science education at the secondary level, but is also useful for graduate studies and careers in environmental sciences.
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The Environmental Science Department creates inclusive learning communities that focus on developing scholarship and research about the earth, natural environment, and the interaction between human and natural systems. We offer three unique programs of study—the BS in environmental science, the environmental science minor, BS in environmental sustainability, and the BA in earth science.
In our environmental science programs, students learn in-demand skills that employers have identified as critical for job candidates, including:
Environmental science graduates are prepared for positions in research, manufacturing, sales, and management, or to attend graduate school. Environmental sustainability graduates meet the growing demands in academic, business, and governmental sectors for sustainable economic development. Our alumni work as lab analysts, forest managers, education program specialists, environmental technicians, and environmental scientists. Earth science graduates are employed as middle school and high school teachers.
Our professors are proud practitioners in their fields and love to share their expertise beyond the classroom. Mentorship is at the core of our department, and it’s our goal that every student work directly with a faculty member to expand their knowledge and worldview.
Environmental sustainability major, master’s student in applied science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
And we're ready to help you grow. At William Paterson, we provide students with the skills, knowledge, and experience they need to forge forward as a powerhouse—both in the classroom and in their careers. Apply today to discover your potential.
William Paterson University in Wayne has been awarded a Trees for Schools grant of nearly $250,000 which will fund the planting of native trees and the creation of shaded outdoor learning and gathering spaces across campus.
“William Paterson is grateful to be awarded a Trees for Schools grant,” says President Richard J. Helldobler. “Our beautiful campus helps create a great educational and working environment for our students and employees, as well as serving as an outdoor laboratory and classroom, especially for environmental science and public health faculty and students. This funding will help support the work of these academic programs while also further enhancing campus aesthetics and climate resiliency.”
The Trees for Schools program is a joint effort of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Sustainable Jersey, and The College of New Jersey. Funded by Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) auction proceeds, the Trees for Schools grant program will plant more than 4,500 trees at public schools, colleges, and universities across the state.
The project is directed by William Paterson professors Nicole Davi, environmental science, and Marianne Sullivan, public health, in collaboration with James Shelley, the University’s associate vice president for administration, as well as the institution’s physical plant operations team.
“This grant will significantly advance our efforts to recognize, expand, and steward the trees on our William Paterson campus, enhancing both environmental and educational outcomes,” says Davi, who adds that environmental science students will be actively involved in the project through coursework and extracurricular research such as conducting a campus-wide forest inventory, mapping existing and newly planted trees using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, estimating species diversity and richness, and calculating carbon storage over time. “These hands-on learning opportunities will enrich student understanding of urban forestry, climate mitigation, and biodiversity, while contributing real data to long-term campus sustainability goals.”
The project also will enhance the public health curriculum by adding to and extending learning modules covering the importance of trees to public health, says Sullivan. “In our undergraduate Environmental Determinants of Health course, we address the ways in which trees promote and enhance both mental and physical health,” she says. “We intend to extend the curriculum on the mental health benefits of trees and green spaces, including the role that native trees play in supporting pollinators, the health benefits of fruit and nut trees, and the ways in which Indigenous people use and have used native trees over time.”
The University plans to plant approximately 150 trees through the grant, including native species that produce edible fruit and nuts. Efforts will be made to plant trees in numerous locations on the main campus near parking lots to reduce heat island impacts and where possible near buildings to provide shade and reduce the need for air conditioning and associated carbon emissions.
The grant will cover costs associated with the purchase and planting of the trees including planning, site preparation, watering, monitoring, and maintenance over a three-year period. The tree plantings are scheduled for spring 2026.
“We are committed to maintaining these trees for at least the next 10-plus years, thanks to our dedicated grounds maintenance team and our established systems for tree care, “says Shelley. “We look to ensure long-term care and stewardship for future generations.”
The project aligns closely with ongoing faculty-led research at William Paterson focused on forest health, climate change, and native species restoration. The University is currently collaborating with the American Chestnut Foundation and SUNY-ESF to grow pure American chestnut trees on campus as part of a broader effort to restore this iconic species. Additionally, Professor Davi’s research in regional forests, including the Catskills and coastal forests of New Jersey and New York, examines how climate extremes are impacting tree growth and forest resilience. The expanded campus forest at William Paterson will provide additional research opportunities where students can directly engage in data collection and analysis, and forest stewardship.
