Master of Landscape Architecture Curriculum
First Professional Degree (BSLA or BLA) (42 credits) | ||
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First Professional Degree (42 credits) – For students who have a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture (BSLA) or a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) | ||
Required Courses |
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| LAR519 | Community Planning & Management 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. |
3 Credits |
| LAR570 | Principles of Sustainability 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. |
3 Credits |
| LAR630 | Design V: Design Methods Studio This course is an introduction to the various design methods, techniques, and strategies that are commonly used in landscape architecture. The emphasis will be on the problem-solving processes, including incremental adaptation, pattern language, modular division, and optimization. Design exercises will examine the assumptions made in the construction of conceptual designs. Additional fee(s): Course Computing Fee. |
3 Credits |
| LAR643 | Design III: Urban Design Studio This course examines the emerging field of urban design. It introduces a critical analysis of various city planning factors and human systems with special emphasis on the three pillars of sustainable design - ecologic, social and economics. Actual sites located in Western Pennsylvania are utilized with emphasis on attaining civic improvements and quality of the city's aesthetic environment. . Prerequisite(s): LAR 515, 541 and 542. Additional Fee(s): Course Computing Fee. |
4 Credits |
| LAR644 | Design IV: Landscape Master Planning The focus on this studio is on land use planning, urban development, and community design of the regional landscapes with incorporation of environmental, social and economic factors into the solution of the projects. Prerequisite(s): LAR 643. Additional Fee(s): Course Computing Fee. |
4 Credits |
| LAR652 | Construction III: Landscape Construction Documents 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. |
4 Credits |
| LAR663 | Seminar III: Scholarship Preparation This course is an overview of the methods and techniques used in preparing a research thesis or a terminal landscape design and/or landscape planning project. |
1 Credits |
| LAR680 | Graduate Research Methods This graduate seminar introduces students to some methods and techniques that have been developed through multidisciplinary research for literary and aesthetic expression in landscape architecture. It focuses on the contributions and limitations of different approaches to the study of landscape in a range of disciplinary areas and the potential bibliographical and institutional resources that are available to the students when drawing upon other disciplines to inform the interpretation, writing, and design of landscape architecture. Emphasis is placed on the selection and utilization of data collection strategies and tools in the development of a research proposal. |
3 Credits |
| LAR695 | MLA Thesis (1-9) The master's thesis is the scholarly option undertaken by MLA students, and is conducted under the guidance of a faculty committee. A thesis proposal, sponsored by a faculty advisor and approved by the program director, is a prerequisite for registration in this course. Two thesis options are offered: research thesis and applied study. In a research thesis, the student produces new knowledge or scholarly work, while in an applied thesis, she/he produces a comprehensive project that demonstrates professional standards. This course offers flexible credits that may be taken in increments from 1 to 9 credits. A minimum of 6 credits is required. A minimum GPA of 3.5 is required to register for this course. |
3 Credits |
Non-Traditional CoursesA combination of any of the following courses must be fulfilled for a total of 4 Credits: |
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| LAR657 | Field Work | 2 Credits |
| LAR672 | Study Abroad | 2 Credits |
| LAR682 | Internship The student will have the opportunity to work in an office environment to better understand the duties and responsibilities involved with sustainable landscape architectural design. A total of 80 hours is required for 2 credits. |
2 Credits |
Elective Courses2 – 4 Elective courses (6 credit hours) selected from: |
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| LAR512 | Media II: Digital Illustrative Graphics 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. |
3 Credits |
| LAR514 | Landscape Ecology In this course students will examine the role of ecology in landscape architecture and land use planning. The course will begin with an overview of general ecological principles and then move into the study of landscape ecology. Finally, students will use ecological principles to develop a conservation-based regional plan. |
3 Credits |
| LAR515 | Geographic Information Systems Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are computerized systems designed for the storage, retrieval and analysis of geographically referenced data. GIS uses advanced analytical tools to explore at a scientific level the spatial relationships, patterns, and processes of cultural, biological, demographic, economic, geographic, and physical phenomena. The technical focus of the course includes computer lab tutorials and case studies using ArcGIS desktop GIS software from Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI.) Application areas covered in this course include city and regional planning, community planning, economic development, education, election, and environmental studies, housing and property evaluation, transit and transportation issues, land use, historic studies, crime analysis and policing, emergency management, public works utilities, census population and demographic studies, health, and business applications, including marketing, advertising, and site selection. |
3 Credits |
| LAR518 | Native Plants 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. |
2 Credits |
| LAR526 | Topics in 20th Century Landscape Architecture This course will begin with an investigation of early 20th century strivings of landscape architects towards both modernist and conservationist approaches within the profession. These threads will be followed to discover and appreciate the context of the modern profession's main avenues of work. The class focus will be on establishing criteria for categorizing major activity areas within the profession ranging from the outrageously artistic to the courageously scientific and placing a representative sampling of specific works and practitioners within the context of the typologies defined. The many venues for practicing environmentally proactive design will be at the forefront of readings and individual research. |
3 Credits |
| LAR527 | Historic Landscape Preservation 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 HALS documentation. Realization of historic landscape treatment as a sustainable factor is key. |
3 Credits |
| LAR532 | Ornamental Horticulture This course introduces the student to the many facets of ornamental horticulture including the economic opportunities of growing and caring for plants. A basic knowledge of plants, plant biology, plant physiology, plant reproduction, plant maintenance as well as evolutionary changes will be presented through the perspective of professionals in various fields including botany, arboriculture, forestry, landscape contracting, and landscape architecture. The course also covers the challenges of using environmentally healthy horticultural practices. |
3 Credits |
| LAR534 | Soil Science 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. |
3 Credits |
| LAR535 | Diseases and Pests This course introduces students to the common biotic and abiotic problems caused by diseases and pests in ornamental plants, as well as basic concepts of the current techniques and beliefs on managing these problems. Students cover the general principles of diagnosis and learn environmentally friendly management options. Students successfully completing this course will be able to: diagnose common biotic and abiotic problems associated with landscape plants; identify common insects, disease, weed, and vertebrate pest; prescribe appropriate integrated pest management strategies for specific situations. |
3 Credits |
| LAR575 | Field Ecology The goal of this course is to introduce the students to the principles of ecology in urban and rural environments. Initially there will be a series of lectures to study ecological concepts, with extensive reading and discussion from the primary literature. The students will gain the understanding of how the physical environment, global cycles and climate influence the biogeographical distribution of global and regional ecosystems and local microhabitats. Lectures will focus on the physical environment, plant and animal adaptations, population ecology and community dynamics. One-half of the classes will consist of field trips to observe flora and fauna, practice plant and animal data collection techniques using standard field methods, and to study human ecology and the impacts of population growth and resource consumption. |
3 Credits |
| LAR578 | Wetlands Ecology This course increases general knowledge of wetland systems - the physical and biological processes that influence the formation, development and distribution of wetlands in the landscape. Focus on the physical and biotic characteristics of wetlands through a series of lectures and discussions based on extensive readings of primary literature along with study of the principles of hydrogeomorphology, biogeochemistry, energy flow, population dynamics and community structure wetlands assessment. This course will review the life histories of keystone wetland species and threatened and endangered species endemic to regional wetland habitats. Field trips to local and regional wetlands will include inland wetlands of bogs, swamps, freshwater marshes and riparian habitat complexes with their characteristic flora and fauna. |
3 Credits |
| LAR646 | Design VI This course allows the student to explore design topics and projects that are not covered in other design studios. Each student should collaborate with a faculty advisor in writing a proposal that outlines the specifics of the proposed site, users, and program. |
3 Credits |
| LAR654 | Construction IV: Road Design and Sustainable Transportation This course introduces the student to the basic elements of roadway design and explores how these elements can be combined with context sensitive solutions to result in sustainable transportation. The course begins with an introduction to the concept of environmental stewardship and how this obligation can be married with functional feasibility to produce sustainable and enduring transportation solutions. Technical and procedural elements of roadway design such as project planning and development, environmental clearance, traffic operation, geometric layout, drainage, structural design, traffic maintenance during construction, and benefit/cost analysis are introduced and discussed. Additional issues such as traffic calming, pedestrian usage, bicycle usages, and inter-modal transit facilities are also discussed. The final project will require the students to prepare and present a conceptual design for an urban corridor that meets its functional needs as a roadway and incorporates context sensitive solutions. |
3 Credits |
| LAR655 | Water in Natural Systems and Urban Environments 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. |
3 Credits |
| LAR665 | Media III: Digital Implementation Graphics 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. |
3 Credits |
| LAR670 | Portfolio This course provides students with essential marketing principles and advanced desktop publishing skills to complete individual design portfolios. Analysis of professional portfolios and research of target firm's requirements are completed to establish a deliverable format. Using advanced tools in Adobe InDesign and other design applications, students learn how to implement their portfolios as both print and interactive formats. Topics such as selective content, innovative graphics, consistent layout, stylized copy, and creative packaging are covered. The portfolios created in this course are used to market individual talents to any sector of the design profession. Additional Fee(s): Course Computing Fee. |
3 Credits |