The Jordan Hu College of Science & Liberal Arts (HCSLA) is committed to excellence in teaching, research, and service and aims to have an enduring impact on society. Our six departments—Biological Sciences, Chemistry & Environmental Science, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Physics—are home to internationally renowned research centers, award-winning researchers and educators, and outstanding students.
Rooted firmly in our mission and core values, HCSLA is guided by the following five (5) strategic objectives:
NJIT has been ranked #1 in economic mobility of our students while our graduates consistently rank amongst the highest in the country in mid-career earnings. An NJIT education truly transforms the lives of students year after year and contributes to the economic and social well-being of individuals, families, and society. We’ve recently created new degree programs designed to prepare students for the future of work and will continue to develop new programs and revise existing curricula, including the first-year experience to ensure a multitude of pathways and opportunities for our students while addressing the workforce demands of our state and nation. We aim to expand opportunities for more students to benefit from the high-quality educational experience of our programs and the research and experiential learning opportunities we provide. To enable this, along with continued sustainability of our degree programs, we will provide opportunities to more students by increasing the enrollment in our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, thereby expanding our impact, and benefiting more people.
HCSLA has developed a profound group of talented scientists, scholars, and artists who significantly contribute to their respective fields through high-quality research, scholarship, and student mentoring. HCSLA underpins the research mission and Carnegie Research 1 status of the institution, as discovery, knowledge creation, applied research, and innovation are infused in our culture and yield dividends for our students, faculty, and society. We are committed to focusing our efforts on the most pressing challenges of our times, including sustainability, environment, health, space weather research, and the big data revolution, and fostering collaborations with industry and other institutions. Studies have shown that students who are engaged in research and creative work pursue graduate education at higher rates than those who are not. The foundational and translational research and training conducted by our faculty and students lead to economic development with a broad impact across society. We aim to develop research initiatives, research support, and organizational structures in strategic fields that will respond to grand challenges faced by society, enhance our current faculty’s productivity, attract outstanding faculty and students, increase external research funding, and engage more students at all levels in research and scholarship.
We will continue to diversify our student body, faculty, and staff by attracting members from underrepresented groups. This extends beyond increasing the demographic diversity of students, faculty, and staff. It also encompasses how we teach, the research we conduct, and the programs we offer. Universities play a transformational role in the lives of countless students and their families. NJIT is recognized as one of the very best universities for providing students with socioeconomic transformational opportunities. As a public institution, we have an obligation to provide opportunities to all students, especially those who are disadvantaged, as this is, perhaps, where we have the greatest impact. It has been widely reported that diverse groups of people bring to bear synergistic backgrounds and skills, resulting in more creative approaches to problem-solving, research, instruction, and curricula. Meanwhile, the demographics of society and students continue to change. It is incumbent upon us not only to reflect these changes but to lead the institution and guide students to realize their own potential. HCSLA is among the most diverse colleges at the institution based on our breadth of disciplines and demographics of our students, faculty, and staff. We are committed to bolstering our leadership as an example for the campus and community and driving innovation in teaching, learning, and research while increasing the diversity of our student body, faculty, and staff.
NJIT and HCSLA, to a large degree, remains a hidden gem, a place that offers tremendous opportunity for education, professional development, and knowledge creation. Increased name recognition for us will greatly assist in student recruiting to offer more access and opportunities for students to benefit from the NJIT experience. Increased visibility of our research, programs, and people will enhance the impact of our efforts, increase dissemination of our research, and increase the competitiveness of our students and faculty to receive prestigious scholarships, fellowships, awards, and research grants. We aim to escalate the visibility and recognition of the College, its programs, students, and faculty through marketing and branding, increasing nominations to prestigious awards and fellowships, and pursuing recognition by professional societies and national academies.
HCSLA has a tradition of partnership with the community, state, and professions to share our talents and resources, and provide assistance in areas of need. For example, with our colleagues in the Center for Pre-college Programs (CPCP), we founded the Newark Math Success Initiative, a collaboration among HCSLA, CPCP, the City of Newark Mayor’s Office, and the Newark Board of Education designed to enable more students from Newark public schools to attend NJIT and realize their goals and dreams through progressive calculus-based math skills development of rising high school seniors, and professional development of math teachers in the Newark public schools. Faculty and students from the biological, chemical, biochemical, and environmental sciences have been engaged with the Newark-based organization Students2Science, which aims to inspire, motivate, and educate area elementary, middle, and high school students to pursue STEM careers by providing an authentic, state-of-the-art laboratory experience complete with modern instrumentation and meaningful interactions with professional scientists. Following our leadership to create Future Ready Schools New Jersey, HCSLA created the STEM for Success initiative, an integrated program to broaden participation in STEM, especially for those in traditionally underrepresented groups, by fostering collaborative change. Through our Theatre Arts & Technology program, we are intimately engaged in the community through the Newark Arts Festival, Newark Improv Festival, Newark Playwrights Festival, Young Playwrights Festival, and outreach to local area high schools. All these and other similar initiatives bring our experience and talents to the community and help inform our own efforts – on campus and off – while serving critical needs and gaining visibility. We aim to expand the College’s mission to better serve local communities within Newark as well as the State of New Jersey and the various companies and professional societies with which we engage.
2025 HCSLA Awards
- May 8, 2025
- 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
- WEC Multipurpose Room (1st Floor)
The HCSLA Awards are given in celebration of the accomplishments across the Jordan Hu College of Science & Liberal Arts and wider NJIT communities. Award nominations, evaluations, and selections are made collectively between the Office of the Dean and HCSLA Awards Committee.
2025 HCSLA Awardees
JAY KAPPRAFF AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN SCIENCE AND THE ARTS
Christie Henry
Director of the Princeton University Press
DEAN'S DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
Dr. Bruce Bukiet
Department of Mathematical Sciences
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARDS
Franklin Chou
B.A. Law, Technology, and Culture '13, NJIT
J.D. '16, Seton Hall University School of Law
Robert Kozlowski
B.S. Applied Physics '88
Te-Sheng Lin
Ph.D. Mathematical Sciences '12
RISING STAR ALUMNI AWARDS
Olivia Dudley
B.A. Biology '17, NJIT
M.S.P.A., Seton Hall University School of Health & Medical Sciences
Christa Haskins
B.A. Law, Technology, and Culture '18, NJIT
J.D. '24, Seton Hall University School of Law
Dr. Randolph J. Leiser
Ph.D. Mathematical Sciences '18
Rucheet Patel
M.S. Pharmaceutical Chemistry '19
Alexis Telyczka
B.S. Science, Technology and Society '20, NJIT
M.A. Creative Publishing and Critical Journalism '25, The New School for Social Research
DISTINGUISHED RESEARCH AWARD
Dr. Mengyan Li
Department of Chemistry & Environmental Science
RISING STAR RESEARCH AWARD
Dr. Xiaonan Tai
Department of Biological Sciences
EXCELLENCE IN UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION AWARD
Dr. Alison Lefkovitz
Federated Department of History
EXCELLENCE IN GRADUATE EDUCATION AWARD
Dr. Roy Goodman
Department of Mathematical Sciences
EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD – UNIVERSITY LECTURER
Dr. Christopher DeSantis
Department of Chemistry & Environmental Science
EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD – SENIOR UNIVERSITY LECTURER
Dr. Andres Jerez
Department of Physics
EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD – ADJUNCT FACULTY
Thomas Sherman
Department of Mathematical Sciences
EXCELLENCE IN SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
Miriam Ascarelli
Department of Humanities & Social Sciences
EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE AWARD
Michael Bonchonsky
Department of Chemistry & Environmental Science
Erika Norro
Department of Physics
OUTSTANDING STAFF AWARD
Jon Porus
Department of Mathematical Sciences
SPIRIT OF "DOC" AWARD
Nikita Nair
Federated Department of History
OUTSTANDING UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS
Aleesha Deshmukh
Department of Biological Sciences
Sabrina Gerace
Department of Chemistry & Environmental Science
Jay Bengu
Federated Department of History
Gala Krsmanovic
Department of Humanities & Social Sciences
Julia Collin
Department of Mathematical Sciences
Christopher Lombardi
Department of Physics
OUTSTANDING GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS
Grant Bowers
Department of Biological Sciences
Egor Demidov
Department of Chemistry & Environmental Science
Richard Connor Greene
Department of Mathematical Sciences
Dolores Termini
Department of Physics
HCSLA Dean’s Scholars receive a distinctive honors education and other opportunities, including:
- Honors courses within the Jordan Hu College of Science & Liberal Arts.
- Invitation to participate in the Dean’s Leadership Council.
- Professional networking with distinguished speakers and industry leaders.
- Honors advising through the Jordan Hu College of Science & Liberal Arts.
- Meet faculty early in your studies regarding undergraduate research experience.
- Funding opportunities for research and travel.
- Priority consideration for admission to the Albert Dorman Honors College through sophomore year.
HCSLA Dean’s Scholars can choose to apply to become an Albert Dorman Honors Scholar after the completion of their first or second year.
- Seats are limited and the application process is competitive, but applications from HCSLA Dean’s Scholars will be given priority during their evaluations.
How to Apply?
- To be considered, prospective students should apply through the Albert Dorman Honors College application on the Common Application by checking the box, “Are you interested in the Albert Dorman Honors College?”
- The HCSLA Dean’s Scholars program may only be joined by first-time, full-time freshmen.
Program Requirements:
In order to fulfill the requirements of the program, HCSLA Dean’s Scholars will:
- Take at least three honors-only courses offered by HCSLA.
- Attend at least one ADHC colloquium/guest speaker per semester (HCSLA Dean’s Scholars are encouraged to attend co-sponsored ADHC-HCSLA speaker events).
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
Questions:
- For questions about the HCSLA Dean's Scholars program, please contact Dr. Bhavani Balasubramanian, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies
Earn your bachelor's and a degree in medicine, optometry, dentistry or physical therapy in seven years (instead of the usual eight) or in law in six years (instead of seven).
As a CSLA major, you may qualify for the following accelerated programs in conjunction with your bachelor's degree:
- Medicine: MD at the New Jersey Medical School of Rutgers, Newark, Ponce Health Sciences University, New York Institute of Technology - College of Osteopathic Medicine, St. George's University Medical School, Granada, West Indies, or at American University of Antigua.
- Dentistry: DMD at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Newark.
- Physical Therapy: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) at Rutgers School of Health Related Professions, Newark.
- Optometry: OD at the SUNY College of Optometry.
- Law: JD at Pace Law School and Seton Hall Law School,
- Physician's Assistance: 3+3 with Rutgers School of Health Related Professions.
- Medical Lab Science program with Rutgers School of Health Related Professions, Newark.
Rutgers School of Public Health - Masters in Public Health
Rutgers School of Health Professions - Medical Lab Science program
Several master's programs at NJIT allow you to take graduate classes as an undergraduate; in some cases, the classes count toward both your bachelor's degree and your master's degree. In addition, NJIT offers a program that allows you to earn a bachelor's at NJIT and an MS in Physician Assistant (MSPA) at UMDNJ.
Aerospace Studies
Affiliated with the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps detachment based at NJIT, the Aerospace Studies Department has substantial scholarship opportunities available to students preparing for a career as a U.S. Air Force officer after graduation.
Biological Sciences
Federated with Rutgers University-Newark, the Department of Biological Sciences offers undergraduate and graduate programs spanning the study of individual neurons to global ecosystems.
Chemistry & Environmental Science
The Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science addresses scientific and social challenges through undergraduate and graduate programs in chemistry, biochemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, and environmental science and policy.
History
Federated with Rutgers University-Newark, the Department of History offers the unique advantages of historical study at NJIT, including undergraduate and graduate specialization in the history of technology and health and medicine.
Humanities and Social Sciences
Educational and research opportunities in the Department of Humanities & Social Sciences focus on contemporary artistic, cultural and social trends, especially in relation to technology, and specialized study in media and theater technology.
Mathematical Sciences
The internationally recognized Department of Mathematical Sciences offers undergraduate and graduate study in areas that include applied mathematics and statistics, computational mathematics, mathematical biology, and mathematics of finance and actuarial science.
Physics
The Department of Physics is prominent worldwide in education and research encompassing optics and photonics, imaging and remote sensing, biophysics, materials science and nanotechnology, and solar-terrestrial science.
Theatre Arts and Technology
The Theater Arts program emphasizes performance, production, writing, music and technology, providing a foundation for a wide range of careers in the entertainment industry. The bachelor’s that NJIT confers is designed as a standalone or dual major in other areas of study that students select.
Assistant Dean
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education
Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Research
Business Manager
Communications Coordinator
Administrative Coordinator
Executive Director of Development
Director of Research
Overview
The Minor in Environmental Studies and Sustainability (ESS) provides students with interdisciplinary training to enable engagement with some of the most pressing social, ecological, and technological challenges of the 21st century. The Minor is designed to complement the education that comprises a Major course of study and to enable all academic programs to add an ESS component. Several departments at NJIT deliver courses that contribute to the ESS Minor. The ESS Minor offers students interested in environmental studies and sustainability with a centralized advising destination.
Requirements
The ESS Minor entails successful completion of five approved courses (15 credits) at the 300-level or higher. Students enrolling in the ESS minor are expected to have a GPA of at least 3.0. Course substitutions can be made only with the approval of the Coordinator of the ESS Minor.
Customized course sequences have been developed for students in specific degree programs (see below). Other Majors can formulate a program of study in collaboration with the Coordinator of the ESS Minor.
Students interested in the ESS Minor should contact:
Professor Maurie Cohen
Office: Cullimore 433
Telephone: (973) 596-5281
E-mail: mcohen@njit.edu
ESS Minor for Students Majoring in Architecture
- ARCH 314 (Environmental Control Systems II)
- STS 363 (Introduction to Sustainability Studies)
- STS 364 (Sustainability Policy and Practice)
- Two eligible ARCH electives as designated by the director of the ESS minor.
ESS Minor for Students Majoring in Interior Design
- INT 321 (Methods and Materials)
- STS 363 (Introduction to Sustainability Studies)
- STS 364 (Sustainability Policy and Practice)
- STS 360 (Ethics and Environment)
- AD 490 (Eco-tectures) or AD 490 (Life Cycle Assessment for Designers)
ESS Minor for Students Majoring in Chemical Engineering (ChE)
- ChE 312 (Chemical Process Safety)
- STS 363 (Introduction to Sustainability Studies)
Three courses from list below:
- STS 364 (Sustainability Policy and Practice)
- CHEM 360 (Environmental Chemistry I)
- CHEM 361 (Environmental Chemistry II)
- CHEM 365 (Environmental Organic Chemistry)
- EVSC 325 (Energy and Environment)
- EVSC 335 (Environmental Law)
- EVSC 375 (Environmental Biology)
- EVSC 385 (Environmental Microbiology)
- EVSC 416 (Environmental Toxicology)
- EVSC 484 (Environmental Analysis)
- EnE 360 (Water and Waste Water Engineering)
- EnE 361 (Solid and Hazardous Waste Engineering)