About the School

The School of Theoretical and Applied Science (TAS) offers an interdisciplinary approach to the sciences. Without the restricting boundaries of traditional science departments, TAS faculty creatively interact across disciplines on a day to day basis; a biologist and a computer scientist develop one of the first undergraduate programs in the exciting new field of bioinformatics; mathematicians work with biologists, chemists, and physicists to craft a sequence of integrated math/science courses for elementary education students; and an Environmental Institute is envisioned, realized, and vibrantly active for over 15 years. Such interdisciplinarity is the norm for TAS, not the exception.

The school offers 12 majors: Allied Health Technologies (jointly offered with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey – UMDNJ), Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Biology, Chemistry, Clinical Laboratory Science (jointly offered with UMDNJ), Computer Science, Environmental Science, Mathematics, Nursing (jointly offered with UMDNJ and Englewood Hospital), and Physics. Minors are available in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Science, and Physics. Two graduate programs are associated with TAS: Master of Science in Educational Technology and Master of Science in Nursing - Education Track (jointly offered with UMDNJ). In addition, TAS co-sponsors combined BS/graduate degrees in conjunction with the several science departments of Rutgers University, New Brunswick. Further descriptions of these programs appear in the Majors section of this Catalog.

TAS’s resources include a diverse array of modern, well-equipped teaching laboratories. Entry-level laboratories in biology, chemistry, and physics are computerized, allowing students to gain lab based computing skills at the very beginning of their college career. In addition, TAS has several dedicated computer laboratories, including one for Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Plans for an innovative Environmental Center (which will house a lecture room and a laboratory) and a new greenhouse are well underway.

TAS faculty members excel at teaching and are also internationally recognized for their scholarship and participation in scientific organizations. Many have received awards, fellowships, and grants from private, international, and government agencies including the American Chemical Society, Fulbright Foundation, Guggenheim Foundation, National Institute of Health NIH), National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Science Foundation NSF), New Jersey Commission on Higher Education, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and the US Department of Education. Many faculty have research programs that actively involve students, and in many cases the students co-present the findings of this research at conferences and/or in published papers.

All TAS students supplement their major with a two courses School Core requirement – Science in Cultural Perspective (SCP) – that fosters an appreciation of the historical, philosophical, environmental, ethical, and social issues related to scientific and technological development.

Ramapo’s cooperative education program provides opportunities for working in a "real life environment". Under the joint supervision of a scientist at the work-place and a TAS faculty member, co-op students earn degree credits while earning money. A strong internship program (where students earn degree credits for work done on a volunteer basis) is also available.

Student organizations such as the Biology, Chemistry, Math, Pre-Med, Physics Clubs and the Environmental Alliance sponsor lectures, trips, and social activities. Each club elects officers who gain leadership experience in planning programs such as the annual Earth Day celebration. Ramapo’s chapter of the Society of the Sigma Xi, a national organization for faculty, fosters research and schedules lectures by national and international authorities.