Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Curriculum & Courses

FALL 1

SPRING 1

FALL 2

SPRING 2

FALL 3

SPRING 3

FALL 4**

SPRING 4**

** 500-level courses may be taken during this time to prepare for accelerated master's program.

Accelerated master's programs are available only to existing CAPLA undergraduate students.

View the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture / Master of Landscape Architecture AMP curriculum in PDF format:

• Document

  CAPLA BLA MLA AMP Curriculum.pdf

BLA SPRING 4 Additional Coursework

MLA FALL 1

MLA SPRING 1

A studio‐based course introducing the fundamentals of design and its role in the built and natural environments through drawing, modeling and a lecture component.

Typically offered: Fall
Units: 2/2

The course provides an overview of the role of architecture and landscape architecture in the design of the built environment using examples of notable buildings and structures.

Typically offered: Fall
Units: 1/1

This studio course introduces students to design thinking and the principles of design. The course incorporates design theory, creative problem solving and oral, written and visual communication skills including hand drawing and digital media graphics. Students are exposed to the basics of design processes including site analysis, program and concept development and design synthesis.

Typically offered: Spring
Units: 4

This studio course incorporates design thinking, principles of design and design processes in the execution of site design problems that utilize site analysis skills, incorporate background research and demonstrate concept and iterative design development resulting in schematic design solutions. Design communication skills including hand drawing and digital media graphics in 2D and 3D are practiced. Spatial sequences are diagramed and developed with focus on built and natural materials including plant masses and forms.

Typically offered: Fall
Units: 6

This one-credit (1 cu) studio provides exposure to basic elements of digital design communication in landscape architecture as well as an introduction to advanced elements to be taught in greater depth later in the program. Through tutorials and exercises, using several industry-standard computer applications, students will work to increase their knowledge and skill in computer graphic conventions and techniques.

Typically offered: Spring, Summer
Units: 1

This technical course introduces students to the engineering aspects of landscape architecture and site planning. Student gain technical competency in grading and earthwork design, storm water management, and road alignment while incorporating design principles and sustainability strategies.

Typically offered: Spring
Units: 3

This studio course advances skills and knowledge from Design Studio I with application of design thinking, principles of design, design processes, and design communication in the comprehensive execution of several site design projects. Creative problem‐solving techniques are reviewed and reinforced and the skills learned in LAR 2-- Site Engineering are practiced. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a travel study program during spring break.

Prerequisites: C or better in LAR 201 Design Studio I
Typically offered: Spring
Units: 6

This technical course prepares students to complete construction documents according to industry standards established by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB) and the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). Students develop site grading and drainage plans, site material specification plans, dimensioning plans, and construction details. Students learn professional standards for technical drawing layout applicable for construction. The course prepares students for professional practice and licensure.

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., students will explore the evolution of design ideology and application of theory in the practice of landscape architecture.

Typically offered: Spring
Units: 3

This studio course expands the scope of student design practice to include greater attention to real‐world complex scenarios. Knowledge, skills and values learned in previous semesters are incorporated into coursework with projects that include a variety of scales, such as site, neighborhood and landscape. The course advances critical thinking skills; students conduct appraisals of their design work based on identified project goals. Students formulate professional presentations (graphic, written and oral) that describe their design intentions and results.

Prerequisites: C or better in LAR 202 Design Studio II
Typically offered: Fall
Units: 6

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

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

In this studio course, students prepare for interdisciplinary professional practice through collaborative projects, multi-disciplinary work, and professional-quality urban design projects. Students will have expanded creative freedom to collectively explore built environment solutions to the grand challenges that face society through team-based design projects.

Sustainable design strategies, socio-cultural frameworks, health and well-being, and aesthetic theory and innovation will inform design decisions.

Prerequisites: C or better in LAR 301 Design Studio III
Typically offered: Spring
Units: 6

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

Students will work with community clients and campus partners to address real world complex urban and rural design projects. Through collaborative methods, and multi‐ disciplinary work, students will use research and technology to develop solutions that advance practice. Students will also develop design implementation strategies. Sustainable design strategies, socio‐cultural frameworks, health and wellbeing and aesthetic theory and innovation will inform design decisions.

Prerequisites: C or better in LAR 302 Design Studio IV
Typically offered: Fall
Units: 6

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

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.

Prerequisites: C or better in LAR 420 Plant Materials
Typically offered: Fall or Spring
Units: 4

Theories and models in landscape planning; planning issues and methods; case studies; and a planning project.

Typically offered: Spring
Units: 3

During this required studio course, students will work to identify and develop independent projects that demonstrate proficiency in landscape architecture. Students will employ skills, knowledge, and values learned and applied in all previous courses. Projects will have a research (and case review) component aimed at advancing their knowledge in the given subject matter of their work. Students will then develop a project publication that lays out their intentions for site implementation. These will be aimed at sites and scales that satisfy the opportunity to submit their work to the national ASLA student awards at the end of the semester.

Prerequisites: C or better in LAR 401 Design Studio V
Typically offered: Spring
Units: 6

The practice of landscape architecture including professionalism, registration, the landscape architectural profession, services and fees, construction contract documents, bid documents and procedures and business organization and operation.

Typically offered: Spring
Units: 2