Bachelor of Landscape Architecture

LARC 131 -Computer Visualization

Course description: Provides the opportunity to 1) explore basic design principles and practice 2) explore and apply computer concepts and principles, 3) learn and apply basic computer tools used in landscape architecture and allied disciplines and 4) demonstrate competency in design vocabulary and computer applications through demonstrated deliverables used in the built environment design fields.

LARC 160 -Introduction

to Landscape Architecture

Course description: History, theory, philosophy and current practice of the profession of landscape architecture. Explores the interactive relationship between humans and their environment by examining people's perceptions of and changing attitude towards the landscape, as well as, an examination of how these are related to ecological and cultural influences.

Learning outcomes:

Students enrolled in this course will:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of fundamental concepts and ideas in the field of landscape architecture.

2. Demonstrate an understanding of how landscape architects and designers utilize the principles and methods of Art + Science to structure and shape outdoor space.

3. Demonstrate critical thinking skills in evaluating causal arguments through the study of historic precedents that inform landscape design and landscape space.

4. Describe how the visual language of landscape architecture has a profound impact on the human perception of the environment, the recognition of pleasures and dangers, and the identification with places that have a significant impact on their everyday lives as well as places of periodic ceremony and ritual.

5. Observe, record and analyze designed landscapes and identify the design organization and the key elements of landscapes by keeping a personal Design Journal and preparing a Design Response.

6. Explain how culture and other key elements of historical context have had an impact on designed and natural settings, especially in the Washington, DC, area and within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed; 

7. Demonstrate an understanding of the relationships between natural processes and human interventions in the landscape, the range of scales from regional planning to garden design, and how landscape architects transform the landscape to accommodate places for humans to live, work and play.

LARC220 -Landscape Visualization II

Course description: Basic techniques and application of various media for graphic communication associated with landscape architecture.

LARC221 - Digital Design Tools

Course description: The development and application of computing skills as used by the landscape architecture profession. This Computer-Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) course develops computer drafting using a variety of software programs. It also introduces students to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping technologies.

LARC 230 - 
Design Fundamentals Studio

Course description: Introduction to the fundamentals of basic design focusing on creative problem solving associated with landscape architecture. Here you will explore design with different geometries, organizing principles, concept development, spatial definition, land formation, structures and plants. Emphasis will be given on how to represent design ideas using measured drafting techniques and presentation board organization. A series of foundational exercises will culminate in the redesign of a small public space.

LARC 231 - Site Planning and Design Studio

Course description: An examination of the influence of landscape character and site features (natural and cultural) on landscape architecture, architecture and planning through application in the studio setting.

LARC 263 - History of Landscape Architecture

Course description: A survey of landscape architecture history from the ancient Western civilizations to the twentieth century with consideration of parallel developments in the Eastern World, European Africa and the Americas.

Learning Outcomes:
Humanities
Courses in the foundational humanities disciplines study history and the genres of human
creativity. It includes courses in literatures in any language, art, art history, classics, history, music, and music history as well as courses in the foundational disciplines of linguistics and philosophy.

1. Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of fundamental terminology and concepts drawn from the global tradition of landscape design from antiquity to the twenty-first century. Class discussions, exams, and assignments require that students are conversant in the fundamental terminology, concepts and principles used in the history of gardens and designed landscapes. Quizzes will demand recognition of important landscapes.

2. Students will learn how to analyze, contextualize, compare and interpret gardens and designed landscapes. Regularly scheduled short essays require that students develop and demonstrate these skills. Furthermore, the midterm and final exams include a critical analysis of particular garden/designed landscapes. 

3. Students will demonstrate critical thinking in the evaluation of image and text sources and in the development of arguments. All research assignments and exams contribute to this outcome. 

4. Students will demonstrate how language use is related to ways of thinking about the relationship between culture and human and non-human nature. Class discussions, peer review of papers and written assignments contribute to this outcome.

5. Students will conduct research on topics related to a designated landscape and/or garden. The research papers and exams contribute to this outcome.

6. Students will demonstrate the ability to formulate a thesis/argument related to a specific topic in landscape architectural history and to support their thesis/argument with evidence. 

LARC 265 - Site Analysis and Ecological Principles

Course description: Principles and methods of site analysis with an emphasis on the application of ecological principles in landscape architecture, architecture and planning.

LARC 266 - Site and Landscape Ecology Field Studies

Course description: Field Excursions that are essential to apply theory and principles explored in the LARC265 to real world environments.

LARC 411 -Construction Technology I: Principles of Site Engineering

Course description: First of three courses in the landscape architecture engineering and construction sequence that focuses on the principles, procedures, and applications of site grading. Included in this subject area are the topics of relief visualization and representation, slope and contour calculations, grading objectives and methodology, structure siting principles, drainage principles, contour manipulation procedures, stormwater management, horizontal and vertical road alignment, and cut-fill calculations.

LARC 330 - Urban Design Studio

Course description: The landscape architect's role within the interdisciplinary urban design process, focusing on urban site design issues. Pedestrian friendly site design and the future of sustainable development will be studied.

LARC 331 - Regional Design and GIS Studio

Course description: An examination of the landscape architect's role within the interdisciplinary regional design field incorporating GIS technologies, spatial modeling, and the regional design process.

LARC 412 -Construction Technology II: Materials and Structures

Course description: Second of three courses in the landscape architecture engineering and construction sequence focuses on site construction, soil and water-centric Best Design Practices (BDPs). Included in this subject area are the topics of construction operations and earthwork, soil erosion and sediment control, retaining wall, soil and constructed media, shoreline construction, bioretention and planting systems and green roofs

LARC 413 - Construction Technology III: Water Soil-Centric Practices

Course description: Third of three courses in the landscape architecture engineering and construction sequence focuses on site construction, soil and water-centric Best Design Practices (BDPs). Included in this subject area are the topics of construction operations and earthwork, soil erosion and sediment control, retaining wall, soil and constructed media, shoreline construction, bioretention and planting systems and green roofs.

LARC 389 -Internship

Learning outcomes: 

1. To become informed about internship learning experiences.

2. To learn about career opportunities.

3. To become familiar with the university career counseling service.

LARC 420 -Professional Practice

Course description: An introduction to and comparative study of the professional concerns of design firms. Focus on planning, legal, ethical, marketing and management considerations of interdisciplinary practices. 

Learning outcomes:

1. Develop a resume and cover letter and develop a strategy to engage the professional job market.

2. Develop a portfolio.

3. Deepen your understanding of the diversity of professional practice.

4. Understand the operations of an office including marketing, contracts, administration, project management, and client relationships.

LARC 430 -Community Design Studio

Course description: Studio that emphasizes the integration of critical thinking skills and methodologies introduced throughout the landscape architecture curriculum. Students apply design and analysis methodologies, evaluate alternative solutions, involve community residents and engage in final design development, using the master plan and site design process, report writing, and oral and graphic presentations. Final presentations are open to the university and the community.

LARC 451 -Sustainable Communities

Course description: Explores concepts, strategies and examples of community design which address the needs of a growing population while preserving the environment and its resources.

LARC 452 -Green Infrastructure and

Community Greening 

Course description: A critical look and exploration of green infrastructure (GI) elements in the built environment in contributing to ecosystems services and the sustainability of the built environment. The course explores the science, issues, challenges, and the policy, planning and design solutions offered by green infrastructure.

Learning outcomes:

After completing this course student will demonstrate through project deliverable and presentation

1. A better understanding and knowledge of green infrastructure and community greening

2. What are the primary process and patterns of vegetation in MD?

3. What are the issues?

4. What are national and state approaches to solving the issues?

5. What are county and state approaches to solving the issues?

6. What are site approaches to solving the issues?

7. An understanding and working knowledge of green infrastructure and community greening in relationship to sustainability.

8. An advancement in their written, programming, spatial organization, & graphic presentation and oral communication skills related to green infrastructure

LARC 453 -Introduction to GIS and Hydrologic Modeling

Course description: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and their application to hydrologic modeling. Basic GIS skills are used to manipulate and analyze spatial data to populate NRCS TR-55 hydrologic model for use in sizing constructed wetlands, bio-retention cells, and minor flood zones. No prior knowledge of GIS or hydrologic modeling is required. Stormwater and erosion control permitting as well as basic design principles for Maryland Environmental Site Design standards are introduced.

LARC 461 -People and the Environment

Course description: Focus is placed on human and environmental interactions. Students will look at both natural and built environments and how they influence human health and well-being. Many environmental settings will be examined. These include hospitals, public housing neighborhoods, school settings, retirement communities, transportation corridors and green spaces. We will also explore how racial and socio-economic factors affect living and working environmental conditions. Ultimately, students will be using this knowledge to create environments that support individuals, families and various community groups' health and well-being.

Learning outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Describe how people interact with their environments.

2. Link the relationship between landscape design and human functioning and well-being.

3. Describe how people process information.

4. Describe why people get mentally fatigued and the characteristics of restorative landscapes.

5. Predict people’s preferred environments.

6. Be ready to create restorative and healthy environments for people.

7. Identify healthy places. 

LARC 470 -Landscape Architecture Seminar 

Course description: A combination of self-directed study, seminar, and lecture formats. An introduction to aspects of research methods, critical analysis, and proposal writing with a focus on urban and community design.

Learning outcomes: 

All students will:

1. Acquire advanced practice in critical thinking through reading, writing and discussion

2. Improve reading of complicated and analytical texts

3. Enhance fundamental writing skills through submission of multiple drafts of a research paper

4. Cogently present complex ideas through a public presentation

5. Synthesize multiple kinds of philosophical, theoretical, and practical ideas relevant to landscape architecture

6. Become aware of theories of the past and the future that will continue to change landscape architecture

7. Increase awareness of the demand, rigor and vitality of theory to design practice

8. Establish necessary skills in criticism of built and planned works

LARC 471 -Capstone Studio: Community Design 

Course description: A capstone experience that emphasizes the integration of critical thinking skills and methodologies introduced throughout the landscape architecture curriculum. Students apply design and analysis methodologies, evaluate alternative solutions, involve community residents and engage in final design development, using the master plan and site design process, report writing, and oral and graphic presentations. Final presentations are open to the university and the community.

Learning objectives:

This community design studio course is designed such that, at the end of this course, you will be able to:

1. Develop new adaptive design responses and design communication skills in the context of sea level change and related flooding issues at different scales;

2. To move beyond having community meetings to applying civic engagement and participatory design methods in order to incorporate community members’ concerns, issues, and ideas into site analysis and design responses; 

3. To identify and compare different approaches of engaging communities in the design process; 

4. To gain exposure to collaborative design approaches with town staff, key stakeholders, and residents in a real world context by assisting with civic engagement for different design projects.

Learning outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, each student will know how to:

1. Apply expertise from other disciplinary perspectives (civil engineers, spatial analysts, bioengineering, wetland scientists, ecologists, planning, etc.) to the design challenge; 

2. Determine the projected landscape performance (environmental/ ecological, economic, and social) of the design; 

3. To identify and compare different approaches of engaging communities in the design process; 

4. To incorporate community members’ concerns, issues, and ideas into site analysis and design responses; 

5. Apply, interpret, and graphically represent different mapping scenarios of sea level rise, storm surge, and other factors to anticipate potential impacts at the landscape and site scales; 

6. Develop a cost estimate, operations and maintenance plan, and a phasing plan; and

7. Continue to develop familiarity with GIS and other digital design tools.