This research agenda was pursued further during active duty in the US Navy at the Naval Medical Research Institute at Bethesda, MD from 1968-1971. Joining Rutgers College of Agriculture and Environmental Science in 1971, his research turned to human dimensions of wildlife management. Over the course of his career at Rutgers, his attention has gradually been redirected from research to undergraduate education. At present, he coordinates the undergraduate curriculum in Natural Resource Management and is involved in teaching 7 courses every year. A primary responsibility in recent years has been the development and coordination of a course for all incoming students to Cook College.
Recent publications focus on innovations in education.
Nichols,T. C. and J. E. Applegate. Applegate, J. E. 1989. Patterns of early desertion among New Jersey hunters. Applegate, J. E. 1993. Species as systems.