Environmental destruction, exploitation, unprecedented loss of species diversity, and global climate change all have potentially catastrophic long-term ramifications for human health and social justice. The environmental studies major provides a comprehensive and in-depth education in the study of the ecology of natural ecosystems and the processes by which humans influence, exploit, evaluate, value, mitigate and restore their environment. Society needs professionals who understand the environment and the political, social, economic and ethical issues related to protecting it. Marquette students in this interdisciplinary major benefit from the combined strengths of multiple departments including biology, chemistry, economics, English and political science. Students who major in environmental studies have the freedom to shape their degree by choosing 15 of their courses from a list of electives. Select courses to match your interests like global aid and humanitarianism, environmental history, philosophy of the environment, development economics and biological anthropology.