Welcome to Environmental Studies

Protect, conserve, renew

Ongoing changes in the Earth’s environment, whether at local, regional or global scales, are compromising the integrity and functioning of our planet’s ecosystems, and these ecological changes threaten to impact human economic well-being, political stability and national security. An understanding of the underlying causes of these environmental changes together with the development of solutions to these problems requires an interdisciplinary approach that transcends traditional academic departments and programs.

Loyola’s Interdisciplinary Program in the Environment provides students the opportunity to engage in a broad and integrated study of the environment from several academic viewpoints. This program focuses on understanding the relationships between humans and the natural world from biological, physical, chemical, sociological, economic, cultural, philosophical, and religious perspectives. The curriculum attempts to develop in students the kinds of knowledge, wisdom, and problem-solving skills that can enable them to pay an active role in protecting the future survival and integrity of our planet’s ecosystems.

Academic Programs

In addition to the Environmental Studies interdisciplinary minor, the Environment Program currently offers majors in Environmental Science and Environmental Studies.