The required curriculum for the undergraduate minor in Landscape Architecture is selected to provide an experience of the broad range of skills and knowledge in the complex relationships between culture, environment, and places.
A minimum grade of "C+" is required for all courses that count towards the minor.
Courses
LA 250. Imagining Landscape: Making Places by Design. (3, may be repeated once Δ)
This course explores the built environment as a designed landscape, the methods and processes of design thinking and development, and the techniques and skills for representing design ideas.
LA 335. Site-Environment. (3)
Introduction to site analysis and site factors that inform design. Site scales from urban to regional are examined.
LA 401 / 501. Landscape Architecture Design Studio I. (6)
An introductory design studio for students entering the three-year graduate program and for students in the B.A.E.P.D. program. Emphasis is on basic design principles, three dimensional space and the development of graphic communication skills.
LA 402 / 502. Landscape Architecture Design Studio II. (6)
An introduction to landscape architectural design in the studio setting, focusing on a series of typological investigations. Students are encouraged to experiment with methods to develop their own design process.
LA 411 / 511. Topics in Landscape Architecture. (1-3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)
Individual, independent study of topics and research issues in landscape architecture undertaken by a student with faculty approval, advisement and supervision.
LA 421 / 521. AutoCAD for Landscape Architects. (3)
LandCadd® operates on AutoCAD® and is the most widely used of computer programs in landscape architecture. An essential basic course in LandCadd® applications in the profession.
LA 458 / 558. Plant Materials. (3)
An introduction to plants and plant ecology, with an emphasis on the use of plants in landscape architectural design.
LA 460 / 560. Landscape Architecture in the 20th Century. (3)
This course will examine currents of thought and social and economic determinants over the last 100 years, and the way these systems have influenced how we build our environments, our cities, our landscapes and buildings.
LA 461 / 561. History and Theory of Landscape Architecture. (3)
A course covering the general history of landscape architecture from its origins in early agriculture at the end of the last Ice Age through its development in ancient civilizations to the 20th century.
LA 463 / 563. Theory in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design. (3)
An investigation and discussion of the major theoretical discourses in the environmental design disciplines and how these positions have informed the design of 20th and 21st Century environments.
LA 481 / 581. Landscape Construction Materials and Techniques. (3)
An intensive study of the technical aspects of landscape design and construction. Emphasis on landscape construction materials and methods, with quality, longevity and ease of maintenance as consistent objectives.
LA 482 / 582. Graphic Communications. (3)
An introduction to hand drawing and graphic techniques. Students will become comfortable in expressing and communicating design thinking and ideas in graphic form.
LA 501 / 401. Landscape Architecture Design Studio I. (6)
An introductory design studio for students entering the three-year graduate program and for students in the B.A.E.P.D. program. Emphasis is on basic design principles, three dimensional space and the development of graphic communication skills.
Restriction: permission of LA program director.
LA 502 / 402. Landscape Architecture Design Studio II. (6)
An introduction to landscape architectural design in the studio setting, focusing on a series of typological investigations. Students are encouraged to experiment with methods to develop their own design process.
Prerequisite: 501.
Restriction: permission of LA program director.
LA 503. Landscape Architecture Design Studio III. (6)
This studio course investigates landscapes at city/regional and neighborhood/urban precinct scales. Students will integrate social/cultural imperatives with environmental and infrastructure systems in land use planning and urban/neighborhood design.
Prerequisite: 502.
Restriction: permission of LA program director.
LA 504. Landscape Architecture Design Studio IV: DPAC Interdisciplinary Community Studio. (6)
This is an interdisciplinary studio with architecture and planning students coordinated by the Design and Planning Assistance Center. Real projects focus on landscape and urban development within a strong neighborhood and community context.
Prerequisite: 502.
Restriction: permission of LA program director.
LA 505. Landscape Architecture Design Studio V. (6)
Studio 5 is the ‘capstone’ design studio in the Master of Landscape Architecture studio sequence. Students will integrate a broad range of landscape architectural knowledge in a process that will reflect a professional office/studio approach to a design project.
Prerequisite: 503, 508.
Restriction: permission of LA program director.
LA 511 / 411. Topics in Landscape Architecture. (1-3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)
Individual, independent study of topics and research issues in landscape architecture undertaken by a student with faculty approval, advisement and supervision.
Restriction: permission of LA program director.
LA 512. Seminar: Landscape Architecture. (2-3 to a maximum of 15 Δ)
A number of seminars on various aspects of landscape architecture.
LA 521 / 421. AutoCAD for Landscape Architects. (3)
LandCadd® operates on AutoCAD® and is the most widely used of computer programs in landscape architecture. An essential basic course in LandCadd® applications in the profession.
LA 531. Professional Practice in Landscape Architecture. (3)
This course emphasizes the common role of the landscape architect as a member of a design team that also includes architects, engineers, planners and others. It focuses on the private and public practice of landscape architecture.
LA 556. Site/Environment. (3)
Introduction to site analysis and site factors that inform design. Site scales from urban to regional are examined.
LA 558 / 458. Plant Materials. (3)
An introduction to plants and plant ecology, with an emphasis on the use of plants in landscape architectural design.
LA 559. Plant Materials in Landscape Design II. (3)
An advanced course in the use of plants in landscape design, focusing on principles of xeriscape and their application.
Prerequisite: 558.
LA 560 / 460. Landscape Architecture in the 20th Century. (3)
This course will examine currents of thought and social and economic determinants over the last 100 years, and the way these systems have influenced how we build our environments, our cities, our landscapes and buildings.
LA 561 / 461. History and Theory of Landscape Architecture. (3)
A course covering the general history of landscape architecture from its origins in early agriculture at the end of the last Ice Age through its development in ancient civilizations to the 20th century.
LA 563 / 463. Theory in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design. (3)
An investigation and discussion of the major theoretical discourses in the environmental design disciplines and how these positions have informed the design of 20th and 21st Century environments.
LA 580. Landscape Architecture Technology I: Grading and Drainage. (3)
This course will provide knowledge and understanding of topography, grading and drainage design, and will help students develop site design skills related to topographic definition, circulation surfaces, retaining walls and grade changes.
LA 581 / 481. Landscape Construction Materials and Techniques. (3)
An intensive study of the technical aspects of landscape design and construction. Emphasis on landscape construction materials and methods, with quality, longevity and ease of maintenance as consistent objectives.
LA 582 / 482. Graphic Communications. (3)
An introduction to hand drawing and graphic techniques. Students will become comfortable in expressing and communicating design thinking and ideas in graphic form.
LA 586. Professional Skills in Landscape Architecture. (3)
This is a two-part course. One section investigates the professional standards and conventions in the preparation of LA construction documents. The other section focuses on the technical aspects of irrigation design.
LA 591. Introduction to Preservation and Regionalism. (3)
(Also offered as ARCH, CRP 591)
An introduction to the history, theory and professional practices of historic preservation and regional contemporary design and planning.
LA 596. Master's Project/Thesis Preparation Seminar. (3)
A seminar which studies different forms of research in the discipline of landscape architecture and a variety of research methods and techniques. Each student identifies a topic for, and methodological approach to, their thesis or project research and develops their research proposal.
LA 597. Master's Project. (1 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
An applied research project developed and carried out by students as the final exit requirement for the M.L.A.. Project proposals are reviewed based on their degree of complexity and the fit with the student’s declared area of specialization. The project is a research based document which explores larger theoretical issues and their conceptual and practical application in an environmental design context.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
Restriction: permission of LA program director.
LA 599. Master's Thesis. (1-6, no limit Δ)
A research study which is developed on a topic and an investigation of a set of hypotheses or questions. Students will design and carry out a study which articulates a clear method and process for addressing their questions. The outcome is expected to contribute to the body of knowledge in the discipline of landscape architecture.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
Restriction: permission of LA program director.
LA 691. Sustainable Settlements. (3)
(Also offered as CRP, ARCH 691)
Urban design history, goals and theory with emphasis on cultural and ecological vibrancy.
Restriction: admitted to a graduate program in the School of Architecture and Planning.
LA 694. Urban Design Methods. (1-3 to a maximum of 4 Δ)
(Also offered as ARCH, CRP 694)
Topics will vary but may include design of public space, streets, transit districts, tactical urbanism. This course will be organized as three modules.
Restriction: admitted to a graduate program in the School of Architecture and Planning.
