Landscape Architecture Course Descriptions

LA 205 History of Landscape Architecture                                3 hrs

A study of landscape design through past civilizations and how these have influenced our present approach to dealing with our landscape. Lecture, three hrs.
 

LA 206 Contemporary Landscape Architecture                        3 hrs

A survey of contemporary landscape architecture, its evaluation and implications for the future of the practice. Lecture, three hrs. Prereq: LA 205.
 

LA 821 Landscape Architecture Design Studio I                     6 hrs

Introduction to the fundamental elements and principles of design and drawing. Emphasis on the representation and perception of pictorial space; and observation and association as a means to visual literacy. Lecture, three hrs; studio, nine hrs. Prereq: Must be accepted into the Landscape Architecture Program.
 

LA 822 Landscape Architecture Design Studio II                   6 hrs

Application of the basic design vocabulary established in the fall semester for solving more complex spatial problems. Focus on the identification, creation and exploration of space in three dimensions, and the development of conceptual problem solving. Lecture, three hrs; studio, nine hrs. Prereq: LA 821 with a minimum grade of "C" and enrollment in ARC 828 (or equivalent CAD course).
 

LA 833 Landscape Architecture Design Studio III                 6 hrs

Design studio emphasizing design process applied to site programming, landscape analysis, and site planning. Use of actual sites to emphasize relationships between landscape analysis processes and landscape topology. Project presentation and public speaking sessions are videotaped and critiqued. Required field trip. Lecture, three hrs; studio, nine hrs. Prereq: LA 822 with a minimum grade of "C" and ARC 828 or equivalent CAD course.
 

LA 834 Landscape Architecture Design Studio IV               6 hrs

Design studio emphasizing design process applied to site design and integration of design theories. Investigation and application of context, composition, typology, landscape ecology and other theoretical constructs as design determinants. Expression of design using two and three dimensional communications media. Required field trip. Lecture, three hrs; studio, nine hrs. Prereq: LA 833 with a minimum grade of "C", HOR 320, GLY 220.
 

LA 841 Landscape Architecture Design Studio V                6 hrs

Studio design course emphasizing design process and principles in the development of design solutions for a variety of projects. Lecture, three hrs; studio, nine hrs. Prereq: PLS 366, HOR 320 and LA 834 with a minimum grade of "C".
 

LA 842 Landscape Architecture Design Studio VI               6 hrs

Studio design course with emphasis on project-type design and an introduction to large scale site planning. Lecture, three hrs; studio, nine hrs. Prereq: LA 841 with a minimum grade of "C".
 

LA 871 Design Implementation I                                             4 hrs

An introductory study of landscape architecture design implementation; construction materials, including wood, paving types, and wall types, along with their applications; development of surface grading and drainage; and preparation of working drawings and materials specifications. Lecture, two hrs; studio, six hrs. Prereq: AEN 103 or permission of the instructor.
 

LA 872 Design Implementation II                                            4 hrs

A continuation of design implementation to develop competency in solving problems relating to subsurface drainage systems, road alignment, and detailed site engineering. Lecture, two hrs; studio, six hrs. Prereq: LA 871 with a minimum grade of "C".
 

LA 973 Advanced Design Implementation                             6 hrs

Advanced instruction and practicum in the development phase of design drawings. Students will produce a comprehensive set of working drawings that apply the principles and techniques commonly used in the landscape architecture profession. Lecture, three hrs; studio, nine hrs. Prereq: LA 872 with a minimum grade of "C".
 

LA 975 Advanced Landscape Architecture Studio             6 hrs

Application of landscape architecture design principles to solve problems at a variety of scales emphasizing process as well as form generation in a creative and historic context. Lecture, three hrs; studio, nine hrs. Prereq: LA 842 with a minimum grade of "C".
 

LA 850 Landscape Architecture Graphics                         3 hrs

A study of landscape architecture graphics: freehand sketching, plan, section, and perspective drawing. Rendering techniques in black & white and color will be explored with a variety of media including pencil, marker, pastel. Lecture, two hrs; studio, two hrs. Prereq: not taken with/after LA 952; non-majors need instructor's permission.

LA 851 Design with Plants                                                   3 hrs

A detailed study of the use of various ornamental and native plant materials to express the basic design principles and functions in

the landscape. Lecture, two hrs; studio, two hrs. Prereq: HOR 320, LA 205, LA 850 or permission of instructor.
 

LA 853 History and Theory of Urban Form                       3 hrs

Exploration of the patterns and concepts of human settlement - how and why we inaugurate LAND to become SITE, through case studies of historical and contemporary urban spaces. Topics range from civic topography and democratic terrain to phenomenon of place and other current issues in urban design. Lecture, three hrs. Prereq: LA 205 and LA 206 or permission of the instructor.
 

LA 854 Historic Landscape Preservation                         3 hrs

An introduction to historic landscape preservation philosophy, strategies and methods. Exploration of regional landscape preservation case studies and application of preservation principles and methods to solve landscape preservation problems with an emphasis on process. Lecture, two hrs; studio, two hrs. Prereq: LA 206 and LA 833 or permission of instructor.
 

LA 855 Geographic Information Systems (GIS)             3 hrs

An introduction to the concepts and methods of compilation, management, analysis, and display of spatially-referenced data. Lectures complemented with computer based laboratory exercises. Lecture, two hrs; studio, four hrs. Prereq: LAAR major, upper division, graduate student, or permission of the instructor.
 

LA 857 Design Theories in Landscape Architecture     3 hrs

This course will act as an introduction to some of the conceptual design issues integral to the studio experience. The objective of the course is to develop a theoretical and philosophical foundation for our actions and interventions in the environment. Lecture, three hrs. Prereq: LA 834 or permission of the instructor.
 

LA 858 Regional Land Use Planning Systems                 3 hrs

An introduction to regional land use planning and its relationship to environmental, social, and economic systems. Students will develop an understanding of how land use decisions have impacted the development of the United States and how they are used to determine future development directions. Lecture, three hrs. Prereq: LAAR major or permission of instructor.
 

LA 895 Independent Work in Landscape Architecture                    1-6 hrs

Advanced topical studies in landscape architecture allowing for individual research or a work/travel experience coordinated with academic pursuits. Prereq: permission of faculty.
 

LA 952 Advanced LA Graphic Communication                                 3 hrs

Study and application of advanced level LA graphic communication methods; emphasis on perspective graphics. Effective use of color, quick methods for creating perspectives as an integral part of design processes, variety of presentation media, and computer aided 3-D drawing are applied to design idea communication. Lecture, two hrs; studio, two hrs. Prereq: LA 834 or permission of instructor.
 

LA 956 Advanced Geographic Information Systems (GIS)             3 hrs

Advanced concepts in data base analysis, model development, and ancillary functions in geographic information systems. Lecture, two hrs; studio, four hrs. Prereq: LA 855, LAAR major, upper division, graduate student, or permission of the instructor.
 

LA 959 Advanced Regional Planning Applications                         3 hrs

This course builds on systems learned in LA 858 and applies them, through GIS technology, to real world situations. We will deal with rural development, decision making, and comprehensive land use within the context of the physical environment. Lecture, two hrs; studio, three hrs. Prereq: LAAR major and LA 858 or permission of the instructor.
 

LA 971 Senior Project                                                                         3 hrs

A major research investigation or design project to serve as the capstone experience in landscape architecture. Prereq: Senior landscape architecture major and an approved project proposal.