Master of Landscape Architecture Curriculum & Courses

FALL 1

SPRING 1

FALL 2

SPRING 2

FALL 3

SPRING 3

* One elective is required. Electives must be approved by the academic advisor.

** Master’s Report (LAR 909) or Thesis (LAR 910) units can also be taken during the last 3 semesters, if you wish to keep minimal units for your last semester. If this is the case, we suggest you take 2 units in Spring 2, 3 units in Fall 3, and 1 unit in Spring 3. If you have an assistantship in the final semester, you can add an additional 3 units to remain full-time. Most students complete a master’s report, so LAR 909 is the appropriate course number. These units are separate from the seminar class.

BLA SPRING 4 Additional Coursework

MLA FALL 1

MLA FALL 2

This is a studio course that introduces the fundamental principles of design and how they relate to the practice of landscape architecture. Course work will include projects meant to develop students’ graphic and design communication skills while increasing their understanding of design, landscape planning and the design process.

Typically offered: Fall
Units: 6

This course focuses on design processes, graphic and verbal communications, and design synthesis. Studio projects are based on site ecology, inventory/analysis, socio-cultural factors, and artistic principles of design.

Typically offered: Spring
Units: 6

Laboratories focus on identification and description of native and select exotic landscape plants frequently used in landscape design and revegetation in the Southwest. Lectures emphasize terminology, plant care and maintenance and influence of site conditions and requirements on plant selection.

Typically offered: Fall
Units: 4

The emphasis of this course is the understanding and subsequent use of principles of landscape ecology. This will be accomplished through the study of how spatial heterogeneity in landscapes influences various ecological processes in natural and created landscapes.

Typically offered: Spring
Units: 3

Principles of planting design, planting design process, and functional and aesthetic uses of plants in designs are discussed. Studio projects focus on development of planting plans for sites with various scopes and conditions.

Typically offered: Fall
Units: 4

his two-credit studio exposes students to basic and advanced elements of media design communication in landscape architecture and planning. Through tutorials and exercises, using several industry-standard computer applications, we will work to increase our knowledge and skill in computer graphic conventions and techniques.

Typically offered: Spring
Units: 2

This course examines 20th and 21st century prominent design figures that have shaped the profession of landscape architecture. Through case reviews of built works including significant gardens, urban designs, recreational areas, corporate landscapes, restored natural sites, heritage sites, waterfront projects, resorts, etc., we will explore the evolution of design ideology and theory in applied landscape architectural practice.

Typically offered: Fall
Units: 3

This course examines landscape architecture from an historic and contemporary perspective as reflected in theory and practice. Through case reviews of built works including significant estates, gardens, urban designs, park systems, corporate landscapes, restored natural sites, heritage sites, waterfront projects, resorts, etc., we will explore the evolution of design ideology and application of theory in the practice of landscape architecture.

Typically offered: Spring
Units: 2

This course will introduce the concepts and techniques used in the growing field of human use management in outdoor recreation settings. The focus is on the sociological dimensions of the recreation experience and an understanding of the principles, practices, and dilemmas of outdoor recreation management in natural areas.

Fully Online

Typically Offered: Fall 

Units: 3

The goal of this course is the advancement of students’ knowledge and capabilities regarding Green Infrastructure concepts and the issues and techniques involved in implementation of Green Infrastructure. The course provides an overview as well as more in-depth coverage of the science, practical context, and creation of Green Infrastructure. The built environment of arid regions is emphasized, with Tucson Case Studies providing practical focus to content and learning objectives. The term Green Infrastructure, as used in this course, aligns with the following EPA description: “Green infrastructure uses vegetation, soils, and natural processes to manage water and create healthier urban environments... at the scale of a neighborhood or site, green infrastructure refers to stormwater management systems that mimic nature by soaking up and storing water.”   The course features lectures, interactive discussions and presentations, and guest presentations and tours led by experts in their fields. Students take a series of quizzes, a mid-term and a final exam, along with a number of homework assignments / exercises. A special research report is required of Graduate Students.

Typically offered: Fall
Units: 3

Engineering aspects of landscape design site planning. Development of technical competency in grading, storm water management, and earthwork utilizing aesthetics and design principles as well as an understanding of ecological sensitivity and landscape performance.

Typically offered: Spring
Units: 4

Laboratories focus on identification and description of native and select exotic landscape plants frequently used in landscape design and revegetation in the Southwest. Lectures emphasize terminology, plant care and maintenance and influence of site conditions and requirements on plant selection.

Typically offered: Fall
Units: 4

This course will address issues associated with professional practice for design and development students, including: professionalism, registration, relationships and roles for various disciplines, professional roles, services and fees, construction contract documents, bid documents and procedures, and business organization and operation.

Typically offered: Spring
Units: 2

This course is an introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for graduate students in planning and landscape architecture and undergraduate students interested in design and the built environment. We will focus on three core usage domains of GIS: data management, communication/visualization, and analysis. Specifically, this class focuses on how fluency in these domains contributes to better design and planning of the built environment.

Typically Offered: Fall 

Units: 4

An overview of the interdisciplinary paradigms, principles, programs, and players in the field of heritage conservation ranging from local to international contexts.

Fully Online

Typically Offered: Fall 

Units: 3

The emphasis of this course is t he study and application of the approaches and processes used for completing a master’s report or thesis for the MLA. This is accomplished through:1) an introduction of the research process typically used in landscape architecture for development of a master’s report or thesis, 2) application of the process through class assignments and 2) present at ions of the third-year students’ re search work in their final semester of study. Content for third-year student presentations builds on results completed in the previous semester seminar, 596C. Second-year students will be exposed to a diverse assemblage of work related to the master’s report or thesis in landscape architecture,providing them with a foundation for evaluating their research focus for their final year. This course provides third-year students with sufficient organization and discussion to encourage formulation of results for completion of their re search at the end of the semester.

Typically Offered: Spring 

Units: 1

Understanding of and applying the process involved in completion of a thesis or master’s report in landscape architecture.

Typically Offered: Fall 

Units: 2

This course introduces students to design problems of increasing depth and complexity, and continues developing their skills in graphic and verbal communications. Studio projects emphasize site planning for large sites and/or complex programmatic requirements and begin to integrate practical considerations such as development standards. Students are expected to address site context, ecology, sociocultural factors, and artistic principles of design in all project work.

Typically offered: Fall
Units: 6

This is a studio-based course where students will produce professional-quality urban design work. 

Typically offered: Spring
Units: 6

This is a required studio course in the Master of Landscape Architecture curriculum. Green infrastructure is a resilient, cost-effective approach to planning, design, and managing ecologically integrated human settlements. This studio course will introduce the planning, design, and policy aspects of green infrastructure implementation in sustainable development. The course will focus on water-sensitive design approaches for stormwater management through lectures, homework assignments, discussions, field trips, and a final studio project.

Typically offered: Fall
Units: 6

Individual study or special project or formal report thereof submitted in lieu of thesis for certain master's degrees, or research for the master's thesis (whether library research, laboratory or field observation or research, artistic creation, or thesis writing).

Typically Offered: Fall/Spring 

Units: 6-9