9 required courses, (27 credits), including:

This is the first in a sequence of design studios focusing on concepts, skills, and methods of design. This course introduces the student to the basic vocabulary and theoretical principles of the design process, with oral, written and graphic project presentations relative to the natural environment. This studio includes a sketchbook and models for the development of three-dimensional spatial concepts in form, sequence, relationships, scale, color, textures, and values within the context of sustainable landscape architecture. Additional Fee(s): Course Computing Fee.

This course develops graphic literacy as a language and philosophy for observation, analysis, expression, and presentation of landscape architectural designs. Students are introduced to a number of techniques used by landscape architects for completing plan, section, and perspective drawings Both mechanical drafting and freehand sketching methods are covered to teach drawing, color rendering. lettering, and presentation methods.

This course builds on the techniques and practices covered in both Media I and Media II courses with 3D modeling, digital drafting and computerized rendering techniques. In addition to developing advanced technical skills, this course instills a critical attitude toward using digital visualization in practice and development of implementation graphics.

Focus is on landscape construction methods and materials from masonry to wood. Students will learn construction and detailing of walls, fences, planters, walks, stairs, and paving, focusing on environmentally friendly and sustainable harvested materials. Students produce construction drawings and specific site details for various project types relevant to construction. Field trips to construction sites may be included. Additional Fee(s): Course Computing Fee.

This course develops literacy in the field of landscape contracting. It introduces the methods and techniques used in the landscape construction industry during the implementation and the maintenance stages. Technical skills used in bidding and managing landscape projects are introduced, including: estimating costs, bidding procedures, preparing contract documents, managing projects, and scheduling field activities. Prerequisite(s): LAR 651 & LAR 516

This course deepens an understanding of financial analysis tools and concepts. Students will learn how and when to use the financial-analytical tools required to make effective business and policy decision. Functional areas addressed are assessing financial health, planning financial performance, interpretation of data and recommendations, supply-chain management.

This course introduces students to the skills needed to identify woody landscape plants. Emphasis is placed on natives and cultivators of native plants, focusing on their uses in the landscape with sustainable site design. This course predominantly uses field work with limited classroom lecture. Students successfully completing the course will: be able to correctly identify 160 woody landscape plants and be familiar with their site requirements, acquire a practical knowledge of plant nomenclature, plant morphology, and taxonomic terminology; use proper scientific and common names for plants studied, learn to identify plants by their physical characteristics, and learn site requirements for plants covered in course.

The focus of this course is to introduce students to the concept of soil as a natural resource, the basic physical, chemical and biological properties of soils; the management of soils for growth of terrestrial vegetation; the role of soils in buffering watersheds and aquifers from environmental pollutants; and the role of soils in natural and managed landscape and aquifer water budgets. The role of soils and associated vegetation in global carbon budgets will also be discussed. Emphasis is placed on soil as an influential factor in urbanized and disturbed settings.

This course explores the fundaments of sustainability theory and practice. Students develop skills and fluency in evaluating the interrelationships between the human actions in the built and natural environment. Focus is placed on core philosophies of sustainable thought and decision-making approaches that satisfy environmental, economic, and social criteria. Practical alternatives are analyzed for more sustainable design, construction, landscape, and maintenance of the built environment. An experiential learning approach is used to develop facilities for assessing sustainability issues. Cross-listed as ENV 443.

12 credits of electives, to be selected from the following 3 lists according to the student’s specialized track:

Landscape Design & Technology

In this studio, students learn to analyze, synthesize, and assimilate contextual, site-specific diagramming into the development and presentation of creative and sustainable design solutions for specific landscape architecture projects. These projects lead to an understanding of design problem definition, program development, as well as a spatial appreciation of scale, site analysis and inventory as essential elements of the environmentally focused design process. Emphasis is placed on site analysis and conceptual diagramming. Model building is a component of this course. Prerequisite(s): LAR 541. Additional Fee(s): Course Computing Fee.

This core course introduces students to historically significant designed landscapes of key world cultures with the aim of placing the contemporary profession of Landscape Architecture within the continuum of man's place making activities. The course will consist of a brief overview of ancient civilizations and their lasting influences on modern cultures followed by topics covering the major Western and Eastern landscape design movements and/or styles which have impacted and continue to impact design today. The second half of the course will address the evolution of the field in the U.S. continuing up to today's current global practices in Landscape Architecture.

This course is an introduction to digital representation and the principles of graphic design and composition. Digital software, techniques and products appropriate for presenting conceptual illustrative graphics during the initial stages of the design process will be reviewed and applied.

This course introduces students to the art of designing landscape spaces with plant material. Abstract relationships of mass, height, distance, perception of texture, and color in plant groupings are explored. Structural and visual qualities, growing conditions, plant spacing, and growth rate are studied to generate detailed planting plans. Pre-requisite: LNS516 or permission from the instructor. Additional fees: Course Computing Fee

This course is an introduction to the interdisciplinary field of landscape architecture exploring its historical evolution, highlighting its interaction with arts and science, and examining its contemporary leaders.

This course is the first in a series of construction courses that begin to look at the technical aspects of site design. This course specifically looks at landform as a design element. Landform is the base physical element for all landscape architectural designs. It can be utilized to accomplish both artistic and functional goals, such as managing storm water, establishing privacy, or providing accessibility in the landscape. Additional Fee(s): Course Computing Fee.

Landscape Contracting & Operations

This course is the first in a series of construction courses that begin to look at the technical aspects of site design. This course specifically looks at landform as a design element. Landform is the base physical element for all landscape architectural designs. It can be utilized to accomplish both artistic and functional goals, such as managing storm water, establishing privacy, or providing accessibility in the landscape. Additional Fee(s): Course Computing Fee.

This course outlines many of the non-design skills needed for a successful career as a landscape architect. Topics include professional and environmental ethics; legal aspects of the profession; project management; and the professional's relationship to the client and society. Introduction of the key aspects of the construction implementation process and procedures include contracts, cost estimates and specifications. Finally the course will clarify of the current procedures for licensure in landscape architecture, including a session specifically discussing the Landscape Architecture Review Examination (LARE). Prerequisite(s): LAR542

Students incorporate a design project into final design and construction documents. This project will allow the students to produce a complete set of construction documents appropriate for bidding. Sustainable site design, land use, and construction will be incorporated through layout, grading, construction detailing, planting plans, and general ecosystem management. Prerequisite(s): LAR 650 and LAR 651. Additional Fee(s): Course Computing Fee.

The goal of this course is to provide students with the tools and concepts from managerial economics that practicing managers can and do use. Drawing on issues in both microeconomics and macroeconomics, fundamental principles are applied to business decision-making.

This course targets key aspects of business communication: persuasive presentation skills, writing skills and listening skills. Bu the end of this course, tyou will improve your ability to "sell" yourself and your ideas to others, develop a more effective and adaptable communication strategy, enhance their credibility and align their objectives with those of the audience, perfect your ability to grab and retain adudience interest and understanding through how you structure what you say, and improve your nonverbal skills so that both your body language and you vocal traits align with the image you seek to project.

Landscape Sciences & Management

This course introduces students to the art of designing landscape spaces with plant material. Abstract relationships of mass, height, distance, perception of texture, and color in plant groupings are explored. Structural and visual qualities, growing conditions, plant spacing, and growth rate are studied to generate detailed planting plans. Pre-requisite: LNS516 or permission from the instructor. Additional fees: Course Computing Fee

Native Plants focuses on herbaceous flora of Northeastern US, with an emphasis on plant communities and the cultural conditions which give rise to them. Each major ecosystem of the area will be discussed, with emphasis on recreating these in the landscape. Field trips to typical habitat locations will reinforce these concepts.

This seminar course focuses on stormwater management using natural methods for water runoff through wetlands, bioswales, permeable paving, stormwater detention and sustainable water management systems. Pennsylvania Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) will be studied as well as innovative stormwater design.This seminar course focuses on stormwater management using natural methods for water runoff through wetlands, bioswales, permeable paving, stormwater detention and sustainable water management systems. Pennsylvania Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) will be studied as well as innovative stormwater design.

This course is an introduction to planning and management issues with emphasis on environmentally and socially sustainable development. The course provides an overview of the planning process and the methods and techniques associated with its application. It also highlights the major concerns of the emerging field of landscape planning including: land use planning; cultural and visual resources management, and the preservation, conservation, and development of natural resources within regional settings.

This course covers the identification, culture, use, care, and management of ornamental woody and herbaceous plants that can be used in designed landscapes. The course also covers the general issues of plant maintenance, use of fertilizer, and management systems that create an environmentally healthy horticultural practice. Maintenance topics include pruning, trimming, and transplantation.

This course focuses on the fundamentals of the Cultural Landscape Report (CLR), the primary method of documenting, analyzing, and treating a cultural or historic landscape and Historic American Landscape Survey (HALS) documentation. Realization of historic landscape treatment as a sustainable factor is key, Cross listed as LAR527.

This course introduces the student to the many facets of ornamental horticulture alojng with a basic knowledge of plants, plant biology, plant reproduction, and plant maintenance. The course also overs general issues in order to create environmentally healthy horticultural practices. Cross listed as LAR532.

This course covers the identification, culture, use, care, and management of ornamental woody and herbaceous plants that can be used in designed landscapes. The course also covers the general issues of plant maintenance, fertilization use, and management systems to create environmentally healthy horticultural practices. Maintenance topics include trimming, pruning, and transplantation. Prerequisite(s): LNS 553 or permissions of the instructor.

4 credits of interdisciplinary major requirements:

This course is the capstone studio that provides an opportunity for the MLD students to synthesize and apply the knowledge and skills that they acquire during their course of study into a comprehensive project. The final project is selected to address the three MLD tracks and synthesize the steps of the typical landscape development process, i.e. commission, inventory, analysis, design, construction, and operation.

Additional requirements:

This course teaches students how to prepare letter reports and technical reports about subjects that require technical explanations, diagrams, charts, and jargon understood by technical readers. In addition, this course teaches students how to present technical information to technical readers so they understand the concepts and can apply them in their work.