Courses
The landscape architecture program begins freshman year with necessary prerequisites and general education courses.
Sophomore-level courses introduce content for landscape architecture. This includes fundamental graphic and analysis skills that lay the groundwork for more advanced courses. Students are introduced to landscape vocabulary and general program expectations. Historic landscapes are explored, along with an overview of the modern American landscape.
Junior studios cover spatial organization concepts, design transformation, model building (both physical and computer-generated), as well as program analysis methods. Graphic communication is enhanced by computer application projects and the advancement of basic skill sets learned sophomore year.
The Senior year presents complex projects which test and expand student abilities. With basic skills mastered, projects focus more on the intellectual aspects of design. The ‘capstone’ course, Advanced Design, requires skills in critical thought, communications, cultural/natural systems, construction materials and methods, and site engineering. This course is the culmination of four intense years of study.
From here, students enter the profession, and attend graduate school at UConn in PSLA and beyond.
Undergraduate
2110. Landscape Architecture: Graphics I - Design Drawing
Four credits. Prerequisite: None.
Knowledge and theory of graphic representation, exploration and development of design form. Introduction to basic design principles. Application of graphic and design theory through free-hand drawing in a studio environment. Abstraction and transformation of form are emphasized.
2120. Landscape Architecture: Graphics II - Design Communication
Four credits. Prerequisites: LAND 2110; open only to Landscape Architecture majors.
Knowledge and theory of visual perception and model making. Application of theory in the creation of various graphic products including plan, section, elevation, paraline, and perspective drawings. Controlled free hand and computer methods in a studio environment.
2210E. The Common (Shared) Landscape of the USA: Rights, Responsibilities, and Values
Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to sophomores or higher.
An introduction to the study of vernacular landscapes in the USA with an emphasis on the relationship between societal values and land use patterns. CA 1.
2220. History of Designed Landscapes
Three credits. Prerequisite: LAND 2210E.
The development of designed landscapes is followed through time, emphasizing influences on current landscape architecture theory and practice.
2410. Landscape Architecture: Design I - Site Analysis
Five credits. Prerequisites: LAND 2110 and 2210E; open to Landscape Architecture majors only.
Knowledge and theory of site design and site analysis. Dimensional requirements and appropriate relationships of site elements and systems. Collection and analysis of site data including legal, physical and cultural factors. Application in a variety of site design projects. Field trips required.
3130. Landscape Architecture: Graphics III - Computer Applications
Four credits. Prerequisites: LAND 2120; open only to Landscape Architecture majors.
Knowledge and theory of computer use in landscape architecture. Computer applications for data gathering, analysis and graphic communication. Application of knowledge and theory to a variety of site planning and design projects.
3140. Landscape Architecture: Graphics IV: Advanced Computer Applications
Three credits. Prerequisites: LAND 3130; open only to Landscape Architecture majors or with instructor consent.
Knowledge, theory, and application of advanced computer applications used in site planning and site design.
3230WE. Sustainable Environmental Planning and Landscape Design
Three credits. Prerequisites: ENGL 1007 or 1010 or 1011 or 2011.
Theories, concepts, and methods for sustainable design of the land to balance and integrate the needs for conservation and development. Literature and case-study based, writing intensive exploration across critical contemporary themes such as climate change, urbanization, health and wellness, and globalization.
3310. Landscape Architecture: Construction I - Site Engineering
Four credits. Prerequisites: LAND 2120; open only to Landscape Architecture majors.
Theory and practice in manipulating landforms in landscape architecture. Earthwork computation, drainage systems, sedimentation and erosion control, roadway design, and low-impact design.
3311. Landscape Architecture: Construction II - Planting Design
Four credits. Prerequisite: LAND 3310; open only to Landscape Architecture majors.
Knowledge and theory of the role of plants as visual, spatial, ecological, and cultural design elements and systems. Analysis and creation of planting plans that support and develop design concepts and respond to physical site conditions. Application on a variety of project types in a studio environment. Formerly offered as LAND 3330.
3312. Landscape Architecture: Construction III - Materials and Methods
Four credits. Prerequisite: LAND 3310; open only to Landscape Architecture majors.
Knowledge and theory of site construction. Characteristics and installation methods of materials including concrete, masonry, wood and metal. Application of knowledge and theory through development of construction drawings and related documents for site construction projects. Formerly offered as LAND 3320.
3420. Landscape Architecture: Design II - Space, Form, and Meaning
Five credits. Prerequisite: LAND 2410; open to Landscape Architecture majors.
Knowledge and theory of spatial form in architecture, landscape architecture and urban design. Application of theory in the creation of 3-dimensional landscape models in a studio environment. Student attitudes about self-expression, environmental issues and social responsibility will be explored.
3430. Landscape Architecture: Design III - Program Development
Five credits. Prerequisite: LAND 3420; open to Landscape Architecture majors.
Knowledge and theory of site design and planning with a focus on program analysis and development. Design of appropriate form and function through precedent study and research on user and client needs, development regulations and site context. Application of theory to a variety of project types and scales. Field trips required.
3510. European Urban Form and Design
Three to six credits. Prerequisites: None.
Study abroad course in Florence, Italy or other European location. The study of historical gardens, cityscapes and the critical inquiry of visual form and coherent patterns in cities. Site visits and team design projects.
3580. Field Studies in the Built Environment
One credit. May be repeated for a total of six credits. Prerequisites: LAND 2410; open only to Landscape Architecture majors or with instructor consent.
Travel to examples of landscape architecture, urban design, art installations or other related examples of spaces or places. Three day-long field trips.
3582. Field Studies – Professional Conference
One credit. May be repeated for a total of four credits. Prerequisites: LAND 3420, which may be taken concurrently; open only to Landscape Architecture majors, others with instructor consent.
Travel and participation in a professional conference or meeting related to landscape architecture.
4294. Landscape Architecture: Seminar
Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to Landscape Architecture majors only; instructor consent required.
A lecture and discussion-based course that builds a framework to critically investigate the extended geographies of urban socio-ecological processes. Opportunities are given for students to develop their interests within the discipline of landscape architecture connecting theory and practice to contemporary debates in the field.
4340. Landscape Architecture: Professional Practice
Three credits. Prerequisites: LAND 2220; open only to Landscape Architecture majors.
Business, legal and professional dimensions of landscape architecture. Modes of practice, licensure and ethics, and contract development and administration. Emphasis on portfolio development and licensure preparation.
4440. Landscape Architecture: Design IV - Community Planning
Five credits. Prerequisites: LAND 3430; open only to Landscape Architecture majors.
Knowledge and theory of design of large scale landscapes such as open space systems, village and town centers and residential subdivisions. Application of theory to a variety of projects including community outreach work. Field trips are required.
4450. Landscape Architecture: Design V - Capstone
Five credits. Prerequisites: LAND 4440; open to Landscape Architecture majors.
Knowledge and theory of site planning and design. Application of theory and skills from previous design courses to a single, comprehensive site planning and design project. Field trips are required.
Graduate
The graduate program is custom, with students selecting courses relevant to their interests and goals. Sample Graduate Courses PDF.
Doctoral Required:
GRAD 6960 Full-Time Doctoral Research (or GRAD 6950 Part-Time Doctoral Research)
PLSC 5897 Seminar
Masters Required:
GRAD 5960 Full-Time Master's Research (or 5930 Part-Time Master's Level Directed Studies)
LAND 3230 Sustainable Environmental Planning and Landscape Design
LAND 4294 Landscape Architecture: Seminar
LAND 4440 Landscape Architecture: Design IV - Community Planning
PLSC 5260 Transdisciplinary Research and Participatory Design in Landscape Architecture
PLSC 5270 Global Perspectives in Landscape Architecture
PLSC 5460 Sustainable Site Design
PLSC 5470 Sustainable Coastal Land Use Planning
PLSC 5897 Seminar
Relevant Courses (not required)
GEOG 5000 Research Design
GEOG 5500 Fundamentals of GIS
GEOG 5510 Applications of Geographic Information Systems (labor intensive)
GEOG 5512 Introduction to Spatial Data Science
GEOG 5520 GIS Modeling of the Urban Environment
NRE 3105 Wetlands Biology and Conservation (instructor permission required for 5000 level)
NRE 5150 Ecosystem Science and Management
NRE 5220 Environmental Planning for Sustainable Communities and Regions
NRE 5255 Water Quality Management
NRE 5325 Wildlife Management
NRE 5461 Landscape Ecology (labor intensive)
NRE 5575 Natural Resource Applications of Geographic Information Systems
PLSC 5899 Independent Study
PP 5348 Urban Planning Principles and Methods
PP 5350 Urban Regional Policy
STAT 5225 Data Management and Programming in R and SAS (labor intensive)