LARC131 Credit-by-Exam (CBE)

Please refer to the Official UMD policy and Catalog for the official policy on “Departmental Proficiency Examination (Credit-by-Exam).”

In order to help students transition to their studies at UMD, the Department of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture offers a credit-by-exam for LARC131.  Credit-by-exams are offered only to degree-seeking students at UMD.  Only one CBE may be taken at a time.

LARC 131 Restriction: Permission of AGNR-Plant Science & Landscape Architecture department; and must be in the Landscape Architecture program.

Eligibility for CBE: In addition to UMD requirements, students must have completed LARC230 or permission of the program.

Upcoming Exam Date

The exam should be scheduled with the instructor between the end of the Fall semester and prior to the beginning of the Spring semester. We do not have the resources to offer credit-by-exams on demand.  Please make sure that you will be available on the date before applying.

Application and Posting of Grade (Updated November 2024)

You should complete the application  during the Fall semester at the time of Spring registration eligibility, to allow for the preparation of the exam (exception: if your orientation is within one week of the CBE, you may apply for the CBE after your orientation).  ABSOLUTELY NO APPLICATION WILL BE ACCEPTED ON THE DAY OF THE EXAM.

1. Complete the Credit-by-Exam application form here.  You must choose regular grading (not P/F) if you want the grade to be applied to your major or minor or general education.

2. Email (in pdf) the completed application form and proof that you have taken a similar course elsewhere to larc@umd.edu in the same email for approval.  On the subject heading of the email, please put: LARC131 CBE - Your UID.   If your application is approved, it will be returned to you so that you may take it to the Bursar's Office in the Lee Building to make the payment (currently $30).  You will be given a receipt by  the Bursar's Office.  You will need to bring a print out of the approved application and the receipt to us on the day of the exam.

3. Wait for the email updates from larc@umd.edu regarding additional details.  You should start receiving the updates approximately one (1) week before the exam.  If you do not receive such updates, please contact larc@umd.edu to make sure that your application is still in order.

4. On the day of the exam, meet with the instructor at the check-in time with your payment receipt, your approved CBE application, and your student ID (or driver's license).  Additional documents may be required, and if so, they will be listed in the email.  You must be checked in by the time agreed with the instructor.

5. After you have taken the exam, you have the option to not turn it in for grading. If you don't turn in your exam for grading, nothing at all will appear on your official transcript.  If you think you have performed poorly, then you probably don't want to turn the exam in for grading; if you turn it in for grading, you will get a grade. 

6. After the exam has been graded, you must sign a form saying that you either accept or reject the grade.  A grade of "C-" (70%) or better must be obtained to establish credit-by-exam.  If you reject the grade, a "W" will be recorded on your transcript.  No course may be attempted more than once using credit-by-exam.

7. If you do not hear back from us one week after you have taken the CBE, please contact larc@umd.edu.

8. If you register to take a CBE and later need to cancel the registration, please kindly provide notice one business day in advance.  There will be no refunds for cancellations or missed exams.

 Approval Criteria

1. Every application must be approved by the Landscape Architecture Undergraduate Office.  Approval is not guaranteed.  Credit-by-exam is only appropriate when a student has passed a similar, accredited, course elsewhere -- with a C-  (70%)  or better -- but is unable to transfer the credit to UMD due to some technicality.  Self-study is not an acceptable form of preparation for the CBE.  In particular, credit-by-exam is not intended to be an option by which a student gets credit for a UMD course by auditing it and then taking the Proficiency Examination.  The Undergraduate Advising Office reserves the right to deny CBE applications which it deems inappropriate.

2. Credit-by-Exam may not be taken for LARC131 in which the student has remained registered beyond the Schedule Adjustment Period, even with a transcript notation of "W."

3. In order to be considered, a student must have:

   1. a minimum of 12 credit hours completed at UMD;

   2. a minimum GPA of 2.0;

   3. completed all prerequisites or the approval of the department chair and the Senior Vice President and Provost.

   4. Note: (3a) and (3b) above may be waived for students in their first semester at UMD.

4. Credit-by-exam will not be accepted for any part of the final 30 credits without permission of the Senior Vice President and Provost.  With such permission, 6 of the final 30 credits may be by credit-by-exam.

Preparation

1. These exams are generally given via ELMS.

2. Students are encouraged to discuss with the instructor how to prepare and to assess their readiness for the credit-by-exams tests.If you require ADA accommodation, you must secure an accommodation letter from the ADS Office on campus.

LARC 131 Credit by Exam - Explanation

To the Student: Once your exam time is scheduled, you must upload a current design portfolio to the ELMS exam site “LARC131 Credit by Exam”.

About the Portfolio

Prior to taking the exam, you must submit a portfolio containing examples of landscape architecture design work using Photoshop, SketchUp, Lumion and InDesign. You will not pass the exam if you do not submit a portfolio. The portfolio will count for 25% of your exam grade.

What to Bring to the Exam

No study aids are permitted in the exam. Phones, digital watches and other electronic devices must be turned off and stored out of view for the entirety of the exam.

About the Exam

You will have three hours to complete the exam. You must earn a grade of C- (70%) or greater to qualify for enrollment in LARC 231.

The exam is designed to test your knowledge and skills of fundamental computer tools and techniques commonly used in design communication and landscape architecture practice. These computer tools are used to build 3D models, capture and manipulate 2D digital images, and organize graphic representations into an informative presentation format.  Software include Photoshop, Sketchup, Lumion and InDesign. This exam will test your ability to apply advanced design processes, techniques and visualization, and not just basic software functions.

1. Students taking this exam are expected to have the ability to critically evaluate, apply and integrate knowledge and skills from:

• Basic computer concepts;

• Basic design communication theory and principles;

• Introductory proficiencies in selected computer applications;

• The profession of landscape architecture and related disciplines; and,

• Foundational design vocabulary (e.g. rhythm, scale, proportion, etc.)

2. Students should be able to articulate and document the technical and design procedures utilized to create documents that demonstrate proficiencies listed above.

Grading Criteria