Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture (BSLA)

The Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture program offers an integrated curriculum of professional courses and focuses on the design laboratory. Students explore the reasons for and the techniques involved in the analysis, planning, and design of the environment, both natural and built. The program seeks through scholarship, teaching, research, design, and community service to develop the discipline and the knowledge necessary to address the important environmental and design issues faced by society.

The undergraduate program is designed to create a deep awareness and knowledge of the discipline of landscape architecture and the ideas and values that affect the creative practice of landscape architecture. The program of study emphasizes the base of knowledge that is specialized and particular to landscape architecture. This is the special understanding of the history, theories, and the technologies essential to landscape architecture. The program seeks to enhance the depth of our understanding, the qualities of our experience, and the intimacy of our awareness of landscape architecture.

Landscape architecture employs knowledge from the arts and sciences to explore reasons for and the techniques involved in shaping the outdoor environment. Large-scale work includes such areas of interest as urban design and landscape ecological design, while medium and smaller-scale work is undertaken in site planning, residential design, park and recreation design, and landscape reclamation. In this diverse and changing profession, new and emerging foci include biotechnical construction, landscape interpretation, and the design of restorative environments, green roofs, and living walls.

In addition to developing knowledge and skills in design, building technology, and professional practice, students are encouraged to select electives from a broad range of approved courses both within the college and across the university. These electives may be selected to devise a minor, to further professional study, or in some other fashion to enrich the student's academic experience.

In the United States, most state registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure. The BSLA is an LAAB, Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board accredited program.

Admission to the professional program in landscape architecture is competitive and begins after completion of lower-division requirements. The professional program includes two years of upper-division study leading to the Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture.

The Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture requires a minimum of 120 hours of course work. For more information, contact an advisor.

The BSLA may be taken for honors credit through the Barrett Honors College. Please contact them for more information.

Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture Fall Year 1

In the Fall of Year 1, the SALA required courses introduce design to the entering students and the declared architecture and landscape architecture majors are integrated in the studio. The design lab introduces the three design fundamentals of the School: imperatives, scale, and skills. Students explore the School’s six design imperatives: History, Context, Program, Technology, Construction, Representation through problems that engage the scales of the region, city, block, site, building, and body. There is an emphasis on hand drawing and concept models. Semester courses fulfill the University’s requirements for Freshman English, Math, and Science.

Expected Outcomes: An awareness and understanding of the School’s design fundamentals and imperatives. An ability to think and work at multiple scales through drawings and models is emphasized.

Course Subject and Title	Hrs
ASU 101 The ASU Experience	1
ENG 101 and 102 First-Year Composition OR  ENG 107 and 108 English for Foreign Students OR  ENG 105 Advanced First-Year Composition	3
ALA 100 Introduction to Environmental Design (HU,G,H) OR  ALA 102 Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Society (G)	3
ALA 121 Design Fundamentals	3
MAT 170 Pre-Calculus (MA)	3
Social and Behavioral Sciences (SB)	3

Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture Spring Year 1

In the Spring of Year 1, required courses continue to introduce design and integrate the architecture and landscape architecture majors. The design lab reinforces the three design fundamentals of the School through drawing and model building. Students begin to understand techniques of abstraction and systems layering. Semester courses fulfill the University’s requirements for Freshman English, Math, and Science. Introduction to Physical Geography provides a foundation for understanding the patterns and processes in the natural environment. The Milestone Application to the Upper Division is due at the end of this semester.

Expected Outcomes: An awareness and understanding of the School’s design imperatives. An ability to think and work at multiple scales through drawings and models is emphasized.

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Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture Fall Year 2

In the Fall of Year 2, design studios are coordinated with an emphasis on the integration of architecture and landscape architecture. Students are also introduced to computer modeling, energy analysis, and digital graphic techniques.

Expected Outcomes: An awareness and understanding of the relationships between the design disciplines of architecture and landscape architecture. An ability to think and work across and between disciplines, though digital drawings, diagrams, and models.

Bachelor of Science in Landscape ArchitectureSpring Year 2

In the Spring of Year 2, design studios are coordinated and continue the disciplinary integration of architecture and landscape architecture. Emphasis is given to materials, construction methods, and techniques. A variety of computer software is employed as a tool for understanding landform, construction systems and representation.

Expected Outcomes: An awareness and understanding of relationships between the design disciplines of architecture and landscape architecture, specifically related to systems of construction. An ability to think and work across and between disciplines though digital models, drawings, and diagrams.

Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture Fall Year 3

In the Fall of Year 3, the landscape architecture design studios focus on site specific design and the creative development of form within the public realm. Emphasis is focused on the Imperatives of: Context, Technology, Construction, and Representation. Students are introduced to critical thinking in the History of Landscape Architecture survey course which addresses ancient through 19th century landscape design. Landscape Construction I compliments the studio focus with a focus on landform analysis, earthwork, grading and drainage systems.

Expected Outcomes: An awareness and understanding of the discipline of landscape architecture, specifically related to public open space. An ability to synthesize simple programmatic conditions with environmental and cultural analysis, and document these situations both quantitatively and qualitatively.

Infolios

Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture Spring Year 3

In the Spring of Year 3, landscape architecture design studios focus on analysis of natural and cultural features, analysis synthesis, site systems, and site planning. Emphasis is on the imperatives: History, Context, Program, and Representation. Students build on their previous history course in Contemporary Landscape Architecture which considers movements in landscape architecture of the 20th-century to present. In Plant Materials student are introduced to the horticultural requirements of both native and exotic vegetation. In the Professional Practice Seminar students focus on landscape architecture practice including contracts, project management, licensing and professional development prior to participating in clinical internships.

Expected Outcomes: An awareness and understanding of the discipline of landscape architecture--specifically related to analytic systems and their implications in design and understanding modern social, ecological, regional, and historical influences in landscape architecture.

During the summer between the third and fourth year students are encouraged to complete a clinical internship addressing the imperatives of Program, Technology, and Construction, or participate in the International Field Studies program in Landscape Architecture addressing the imperatives of History, Context, and Construction. In either case, students are encouraged to broaden their understanding of the profession

Expected Outcomes: An awareness and understanding of the discipline of landscape architecture and professional practice.

Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture Fall Year 4

In the Fall of Year 4, the landscape architecture design studios focus on ecology, systems thinking, and design. Emphasis is placed on understanding how ecological systems inform design. Emphasis is on the imperatives of History, Context, Program, Technology, and Representation. Outside of the studio, students focus on site scale design and construction. The Landscape Construction II course provides an opportunity for students to develop a comprehensive set of construction documents and details. The Planting Design course builds on the previous Plant Materials course with the focus on the role plants play in design and the technical aspects of utilizing vegetation in design. A Design History elective provides students an opportunity to both continue and focus their study in history related to design.

Expected Outcomes: An awareness and understanding of the discipline of landscape architecture and development of proficiency in the collection and application of ecological data relevant to planning at a landscape scale, and design at a site scale. An ability to critically synthesize complex programs and conditions toward the development of innovative spatial and ecological systems in emphasized. Construction documents and detailing are expected.

Course Subject and Title	Hrs
LDE 461 Landscape Architecture III	5
LTC 344 Landscape Construction II	3
LDE 363 Landscape Planting Design	3
Design History Elective	3
Elective	3

Infolios

Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture Spring Year 4

In the Spring of Year 4, architecture and landscape architecture are re-united in integral design studios that are topical and focus on a variety of architectural and landscape architectural issues. Each studio is faculty-led, employing a professional office experience. Architecture and landscape architecture students work collaboratively in teams. Students choose their studio by lottery from a variety of topics offered. The School’s six design imperatives: History, Context, Program, Technology, Construction, Representation are all addressed to varying degree based on the specific studio focus and faculty expertise. The studios are complimented by Landscape Architecture Theory and Criticism which critically analyzes theories and projects to evaluate validity of design and contribution to society. In the final Landscape Construction III course, students focus on alternative technology, biotechnical, regional, and experimental techniques or systems related to landscape construction.

Expected Outcomes: An ability to critically synthesize complex programs and urban site conditions toward the development of innovative spatial and ecological systems.