Environmental Science/Studies

The University’s geographical location offers a variety of field experiences, both in core courses and in advanced instruction.

400 Acres of the 2,000-acre Campus Set Aside for Field Experience

Laurel Klein awarded the NJ Licenses Site Remediation Professionals Association Emeryl Davies Memorial Scholarship

Environmental Science student wins LSRPA Elmeryl Davies Memorial Scholarship

The University has a state-of-the-art computer lab with 25 powerful workstations with access to such advanced technologies as GIS and Global Positioning Systems.

Geographic Information Systems is a Necessary Tool in Decision Making

The thinning and controlled burning of the forest creates diverse habitats for the benefit of animals and plants and keeps the fuel load of the forest low to prevent out-of-control wildfires

Ecological Forest Management Techniques Support More Diverse, Resilient, and Sustainable Forest Ecosystems

The Environmental Science/Studies program (ENVL) at Stockton prepares students to deal with the complex environmental problems that confront society by providing a broad, basic understanding of the interactions among the physical, biological and human components of the environment.


About the Program

One of the hallmarks of Environmental Science/Studies is student engagement. The program emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to the study of environmental phenomena to emphasize the complexity of environmental problems. The program encourages cooperation between students and the full-time faculty in courses and in independent research that often involves extensive fieldwork and real-world applications. This hands-on work helps prepare students for careers or graduate education. In many courses and projects, the program utilizes the latest technology as components of students’ learning experience to prepare them for their professional lives. The program requires a senior project that can be an internship with government agencies, private consulting firms, natural resource industries, and environmental organizations as a practical approach to learning about the field. Alternatively, the senior project can involve independent research with a faculty member to deepen the student’s experience in and understanding of the environment.

 

Program Chair:

Default Stockton symbol

Catherine Tredick
Associate Professor of
Environmental Studies / Sustainability
A&S-221 |  609-626-5518
Catherine.Tredick@stockton.edu

Program Features

Our program is located on a campus of 1600 acres, most of which are part of an environmental reserve. The facilities include:

 

Awards and Recognition:

AASCU Logo
Peterson's Guides Logo
Alliance for Enviornmental Education logo
 

Inclusion in Education for the Earth: A Guide to Top Environmental Studies Programs 

Stockton Forest Management Plan (SFMP)


Additional Information

Alumni Success

Forest management is a conservation effort that helps to increase forest biodiversity and provides habitat for species that favor young, successional habitat. Schielzo, who has loved wildlife for as long as she can remember, aspires to be a conservation or wildlife biologist and to work overseas with threatened and endangered species.
Nicole Schielzo
Nicole Schielzo
B.S. Environmental Science, Minor Biology '16
During my junior year, I had the opportunity to use the forest on Stockton's campus as a living classroom. Stockton University is the first public land in the New Jersey Pinelands to have a comprehensive forest management plan, and I was one of the lucky few who played a role in its inception.
Emily Dolhansky
Emily Dolhansky
B.S. Environmental Science, Minor in Writing '15
Stockton's Environmental Track prepared me for this opportunity through their knowledgeable professors, who facilitated professional and personal growth through challenging courses and field experiences.
Jackie Kondrk
B.S. Environmental Science '15
After a circuitous first 2 years of undergrad at another University, I transferred to Stockton to pursue my real passion in the ENVL program. Upon starting my job, I was astonished at just how much my undergrad degree prepared me to make the jump into the working world.
Ryan Landolfi
Ryan Landolfi
B.S. Environmental Science '12

 

Curriculum

The Environmental Science/Studies (ENVL) program draws on the strengths of a closely related and interconnected cluster of degree programs offered by the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, including Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Geology, Marine Science and Sustainability. Students can select courses widely from areas within Environmental Science/Studies to get a broad perspective, or they can specialize in one of several areas, or concentrations, within Environmental Science/Studies, if their interests are more narrowly defined. 

Concentrations

Students can concentrate in one of the following areas, or in consultation with their preceptor, select courses from several to tailor their interests to our offerings:

  • Accelerated Science Masters Program
  • Forestry
  • General
  • Planning and GIS
  • Soil Science and Hydrology
  • Wildlife


 

Students can also combine additional At-Some Distance courses in Education, Anthropology, Economics, Political Science, Public Health, and other fields outside the natural sciences to create a more specialized program of study.

  • Qualified students can move into Stockton’s Professional Science Masters and complete a Bachelor of Science and a Masters Degree in our Accelerated Dual Degree Program.
  • Many graduates work in the environmental field, where some have risen to leadership positions or have started their own consulting companies. Still others have graduated from Stockton to attend graduate schools where they frequently earn research and teaching assistantships.

 

Required courses:

All ENVL majors take the following Program courses in the freshman and sophomore years:

  • ENVL 1100 Introduction to Environmental Science
  • ENVL 2600 Environmental Studies Seminar
  • ENVL 2100/05 Physical Geography with Lab
  • ENVL 2200/05 Ecological Principles with Lab
  • ENVL 2400 Statistical Analysis of Ecological Systems

During the same years, all ENVL majors also take:

  • BIOL 1200/05 Cells and Molecules with Lab or BIOL 1400/05 Biodiversity and Evolution with Lab.
  • CHEM 2010/15 Chemistry I with Lab and CHEM 2110/15 Chemistry II with Lab (BS only).
  • BA students must take Economics option.
  • One of the following courses: ENVL 2100/05 Physical Geology with Lab or an Introductory Physics course with Lab - BA students can choose CHEM I in this option. 

During their junior and senior years ENVL majors take upper level courses in the Program.

Students may either specialize by taking courses in one area of Environmental Science, or they may take courses from several of these areas. These include:

  • Forestry, Wildlife, or Ecology, including courses such as ENVL 3121 Wildlife Management, ENVL 3136 Mammalogy, ENVL 3429 Forest Measurement, ENVL 3419 Ecological Forest Management, ENVL 3426 Freshwater Ecology, BIOl 3130 Ornithology, BIOl 3413 Population Biology, ENVL 3423 Entomology, and ENVL 3417 Dendrology.
  • Planning and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), including courses such as ENVL 3302 Geographic Information Systems (GIS), ENVL 3303 Advanced GIS, ENVL 3307 Geodatabase Systems, ENVL 4622 Global Positioning Systems (GPS) for Geographic Information Systems (GIS), ENVL 3311 Regional Planning, and ENVL 3310 Environmental Planning and Policy.
  • Soil Science and Hydrology, including courses such as ENVL 3432 Soil Science, ENVL 3434 Watershed Hydrology, ENVL 3435 Groundwater Hydrology, and ENVL 3430 Geomorphology.

Juniors and seniors can also take courses in related programs such as

Sustainability, Geology, Marine Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics Political Science, and Public Health.

Students must also:

  • Complete a ENVL Research Senior Project or an Internship that involves doing environmentally related work for a governmental agency, or consulting or other company, or a non- governmental agency.
  • Take a senior level Environmental Issues Course.
  • Complete the University’s requirements in general education (BS 48 credits, BA 64 credits).

Worksheet

To see the curriculum for your area of interest you’ll use the web program, Degree Works. This program is accessible even if you are not currently a student with Stockton University.

If you are a current student at Stockton University, access Degree Works through the portal, then choose the “what if” option to explore the various paths towards degree completion.

Prospective freshman or transfer students, can use the Curriculum & Transfer Equivalency Tool below. 

Instructions on How to Use Curriculum Tool

  • At the next page you are prompted with three (3) options. Select the one that says “continue without signing in.”
  • Respond to each prompt using the pull-down menu in the center of the page. [Please be patient. It may take a few seconds for the system to process your request. If you see a NO symbol, you need to wait a moment!]

Prompts include:

  • Enrollment dates (Choose intended semester attending)
  • Intended level (Choose“undergraduate”)
  • What degree you will pursue? (Choose “Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts”)
  • What is your intended major? (Choose “Biochemistry Molecular Biology”)
  • What is your intended concentration? (Choose “General”)
  • What is your intended minor? (Choose “none or select one - it is not required)
  • For prospective students, choose “I’m all done" button.
  • For transfer students, use the “class” button to see how courses already taken fit into the Stockton degree path.
  • You will see an overview of the degree you have selected, including all requirements.
  • At the bottom of the screen, you could save or print worksheet.

Learn more about the ENVL program ELO's.These essential learning outcomes guide all Stockton University students from first-year through graduation to the intellectual and marketable talents needed to prepare for personal and professional success in the 21st century.

Essential Learning Outcomes

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Certificate

Various industries and organizations use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to analyze trends, visualize historic changes, and aide in future decision-making strategies. GIS is used in different sectors such as politics, public health, business, emergency response, science, and many other fields. The GIS Certificate is the right choice for professionals interested in advanced skills in computer mapping, spatial modeling, and spatial data-mining technologies and is expecting a 35% growth each year over the next decade. 

 Hamilton/Galloway Township GIS map

Individuals with GIS certification possess a skill set that is transferable to a variety of industry sectors and can open a broad base of job options and careers.

Common uses of GIS include:

  • Inventory and management of resources
  • Crime mapping
  • Establishing and monitoring routes
  • Managing networks
  • Monitoring and managing vehicles
  • Managing properties
  • Locating and targeting customers
  • Managing agriculutural crop data
  • Addressing public health concerns
  • Mapping wildfire risk and preparedness
  • Modling hazmat risk
  • Mapping, monitoring, and mitigating invasive species

Learn how you can complete a certificate program within one year!* 

*students who meet prerequisites

Professional Science Masters Degree 

The accelerated dual-degree BS/PSM program is an intensive five-year curriculum that offers students the opportunity to earn both a Bachelor’s in Environmental Science and a Professional Science Master’s degree. Students take enough courses to meet all requirements for the undergraduate BS and then transition into the MS program in their “senior” year, the fourth year of study. This program is designed as a terminal degree for students who want to obtain advanced skills that will prepare them for the workplace. Students interested in research leading to a doctoral degree should consider more traditional programs and are advised to enroll in the BS in Environmental Science and take basic and applied science courses that prepare them for a broad range of research opportunities typical of a conventional graduate program.

Stockton students may apply for early!

  • Conditional admission to the dual BS/PSM program as high school seniors OR
  • At the beginning of the second semester of their “junior” year.

Transfer Students

Transfer students may apply alongside their application for admission to Stockton. Transfer students will be considered for admission on a case by case basis, depending on prerequisites met and the likelihood of completing upper level undergraduate ENVL courses by their senior year. Exceptional transfer students who do not have prerequisites may be conditionally admitted, in consultation with their advisors. These students may require more time to meet the requirements of the BS/PSM. Only students with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 will be considered.

Faculty

Tait Chirenje

Tait Chirenje

Professor of Environmental Science/Sustainability 
609.652.4588 | USC1 - 213
Vashti Mahadeo

Vashti Mahadeo

Teaching Specialist of Environmental  Studies 
609.626.3162 | A&S 223
Weihong Fan 

Weihong Fan 

Professor of Environmental Studies
609.652.4995 | A&S - 220
Jessica Hallagan

Jessica Hallagan

Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies
609.652.4267  | A&S 121
Daniel A. Moscovici

Daniel A. Moscovici

Professor of Environmental  Studies / Sustainability
609.626.3607  | G-244
Matthew Olson

Matthew Olson

Assistant Professor of Environmental Science
609.626.3112  | A&S - 221
Catherine A. Tredick

Catherine A. Tredick

Associate Professor of Environmental Science
609.626.5518  | A&S - 221
Emma L. Witt

Emma L. Witt

Associate Professor of Environmental Studies
609.626.6854 | A&S - 120
Daniel Barone

Daniel Barone

Environmental Studies Adjunct Faculty
Anthony Bevacqua

Anthony Bevacqua

Environmental Studies Adjunct Faculty
Mike Cicali

Mike Cicali

Environmental Studies  & PSM Adjunct Faculty
Mark Demitroff 

Mark Demitroff 

Environmental Studies Adjunct Faculty
856.285.0458 Cell 
Geoffrey Fouad

Geoffrey Fouad

Environmental Studies Adjunct Faculty
Dona Jane Huggins

Dona Jane Huggins

Environmental Studies Adjunct Faculty
Jason Kelsey

Jason Kelsey

Environmental Studies Adjunct Faculty
James Klickovich

James Klickovich

Environmental Studies Adjunct Faculty
Joseph Lisa

Joseph Lisa

Environmental Studies Adjunct Faculty
Jennifer Long

Jennifer Long

Environmental Studies Adjunct Faculty
Elizabeth Olson

Elizabeth Olson

Environmental Studies Adjunct Faculty
Ryan Rebozo

Ryan Rebozo

Environmental Studies Adjunct Faculty
Jaclyn Rhoads

Jaclyn Rhoads

Environmental Studies Adjunct Faculty
Tucker Rowlinson

Tucker Rowlinson

Environmental Studies Adjunct Faculty
Jason Simmons

Jason Simmons

Environmental Studies Adjunct Faculty
Kevin Thomas

Kevin Thomas

Environmental Studies Adjunct Faculty
David Werner

David Werner

Environmental Studies Adjunct Faculty
Jennifer Williams

Jennifer Williams

Environmental Studies Adjunct Faculty
John Wnek

John Wnek

Environmental Studies Adjunct Faculty

 

Career Opportunities

After graduation, qualified ENVL students have the opportunity to move into Stockton's Professional Science Masters program and complete a Bachelor of Science and Master's Degree in our 4+1 Dual Degree program. Many other graduates will seek employment in the environmental field. Some have risen to leadership positions or have started their own consulting companies. Still, others have graduated from Stockton to attend graduate schools where they frequently earn research and teaching assistantships that underwrite their graduate education.

Recent surveys indicate that the majority of Stockton’s Environmental graduates establish careers related to their major. They work in federal, regional, state, and local governmental agencies; in schools, colleges and universities; in engineering, consulting, and resource management and exploration companies; in a wide array of non-profit or nongovernmental organizations and in other related industries. ENVL students have been successful at some of the nation’s leading graduate schools, where they have gone on to complete doctoral degrees. Other students have begun successful businesses in environmental consulting, while yet others have risen to prominence in governmental and nongovernmental agencies.

Interested students may contact the program Coordinator of the Environmental Science program or speak to their Faculty Preceptor for additional information. The Career Education & Development office is also a good resources as students explore career and graduate education opportunities.

Explore information in:

Environmental consultant
Recycling officer
Zoologist
Environmental engineer
Sustainability consultant
Hydrologist
Marine biologist
Waste management officer
Educator
Nature conservation scientist or officer
Water quality scientist
 
Horticulturist
Environmental policy & law
 

 

US Bureau of Statistics logo

Employment of environmental scientists and specialists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Heightened public interest in the hazards facing the environment, as well as increasing demands placed on the environment by population growth, are projected to spur demand for environmental scientists and specialists. Many jobs will remain concentrated in state and local governments, and in industries that provide consulting services. Scientists and specialists will continue to be needed in these industries to analyze environmental problems and develop solutions that ensure communities’ health.

The median annual wage for environmental scientists and specialists was $71,360 in May 2019. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $42,810, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $124,760.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics


The Office of Institutional Research collects information on where our alumni land within six months of graduation. To learn more about Environmental Science alumni, use the Graduate Outcomes tool.

  • Using the down arrow, uncheck 'All' and select 'Environmental Science'

The connections you made with your professors and preceptors are invaluable resources for your career planning. Beyond providing assistance on coursework and scheduling, they can give you guidance in planning for your post-college career. 

In addition, we have a student Career Center that is available to guide you through your career development journey - from CV writing, interview prep or general guidance.

Requirements

All ENVL students are required to complete 1-4 credits of an internship (ENVL 4900) or independent study (ENVL 4800) to graduate. Internships can be with any government agency, private consulting firm, natural resource industry, or environmental organization (approved by faculty sponsor). Independent studies involve conducting independent research with a faculty member on campus. B.A. students MUST complete at least one credit of an outside internship. You can complete multiple internships or independent studies for credit during your time at Stockton for a maximum total of eight (8) credits towards your degree. Each project can only be worth a maximum of 4 credits each. Credits are determined based on the number of hours spent on-site working, as follows: 

  • 1 credit = 40 hours of work 
  • 2 credits = 80 hours of work 
  • 3 credits = 120 hours of work 
  • 4 credits = 160 hours of work 

All paperwork must be signed by your faculty sponser before you begin any work. Once you have secured an internship or independent study, you should fill out the appropriate paperwork (links below) with a faculty sponsor (can be your preceptor or any Stockton faculty member) and submit it to the NAMS office for processing. Students are required to complete some sort of final project or other assignments (reflective journals, literature reviews, poster or oral presentations, research papers, etc.) to receive full credit for the internship or independent study. Students should talk to their preceptors or other ENVL faculty member for additional details about these requirements.


Environmental Science Internship Examples and Student Testimonials

 

 Image of Stockton University Environmental Science student Emily Peraria

Interns of the Atlantic County Office of GIS use GIS and remote sensing software to provide maps, spatial data, and imagery for state, county, and municipal projects within Atlantic County. Projects include tidal monitoring, disaster prevention, flood hazard mitigation, strategic growth management plans, municipal mapping for zoning use, service area mapping, municipal roadway assessment for planning, providing census information maps, transportation analysis, and environmental impact analysis.

GIS Interns will also provide a range of services for the office, including scanning documents, printing maps, receiving GIS-related phone calls, updating Atlantic County website resources, updating County geodatabases, and providing resources to office walk-ins.

  

 “As an Intern for the Atlantic County Office of GIS, my objective is to take my in-classroom training provided by the Stockton University professors and apply it to the professional real-world scenarios presented to Atlantic County’s Department of Planning and Development. I most enjoy being able to broaden my “toolbox” of techniques at Atlantic County and attending Atlantic County Office of Emergency Management meetings, where I am able to merge my GIS experience with my interest in emergency management and response. I am extremely grateful for my time at Atlantic County and the Specialists I have the privilege of working under. Being an Atlantic County Office of GIS intern has given me a year’s worth of new knowledge and techniques to tackle the ever-changing world of geographic information science.” 

Emily Peraria
Atlantic County Department of Planning and Development Intern

 

Click here for more information on  Planning & GIS Concentration and the GIS Certificate. For more information on planning internships please contact  Professor Weihong Fan.

 

Image of Environmental Sciences student Vincent Palmieri

Brick Township’s Division of Land Use & Planning is responsible for guiding development and maintaining the Master Plan and land use ordinances. This internship position works closely with two NJ licensed professional planners who work with the local Planning Board, Board of Adjustment and Zoning office staff. This also includes working closely with engineers, administrators and GIS specialists.

The Land Use & Planning team focuses on community smart-growth initiatives to minimize suburban sprawl while also encouraging residential, industrial and commercial growth. Brick Township is trying to maximize brownfield redevelopment while preserving forests, wetlands and local parks. The internship also works on Brick Township’s Sustainable New Jersey portfolio, applying for grants to enhance municipal sustainable development practices.

 

 “This internship gave me firsthand experience working with professionals on various projects including: The Master Plan, planning studies, reports, review of subdivisions/site plans, drafting of ordinances, affordable housing compliance, geographical information mapping, tax map maintenance and grant writing. The Environmental Studies faculty and the education I gained at Stockton University made this opportunity possible. When I graduate I hope to work with a municipality directly on land use issues.” 

Vinny Palmieri
Brick Township Planning Intern

 

Click here for more information on environmental planning and GIS concentration. For more information on planning internships please contact Professor Daniel Moscovici.

 

 

 Image of Stockton student and DMAVA intern, Laurel Klein

The internship entails a year-round training program for undergraduate students, under the tutelage of a program advisor John Hallagan and faculty member Tait Chirenje. The interns work alongside scientists from the NJDMAVA and contractors working on NJDMAVA projects in fulfilling assessment, monitoring, remediation and other environmental obligations for the NJDMAVA. The NJDMAVA elected to use students because collaborations of this nature provide interns with real world experiences and on-the-job training in environmental concentrations, such as conservation, remediation, wildlife management, and land management. This internship allows students to gain valuable career building experiences through completing practical projects and networking with professionals in the environmental field along the way.

  

 “I joined the SUEIP team in January 2018 as a second semester Junior.  I was interested in the program after speaking with my adviser and discussing the types of projects that were in progress.  Since then, I have been a part of several group and individual projects including an air emissions report, a beach vegetation survey, an osprey conservation video, a spill plan report and training, water quality and inventory reports, and a rare species report.  This work included in-depth surveying, GIS map development, and writing.  As a student working on these projects, I gained valuable skills that apply to my future career as an Environmental Scientist” 

Laurel Klein
NJDMAVA Intern

 

Click here for more information on environmental quality concentration (B.S. and B.A.). For more information on environmental quality internships please contact Professor Tait Chirenje.

 

 

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