Landscape Architecture BFA

The School of Landscape Architecture BFA program focuses on the development of flexible design processes for landscape and urban design, an understanding of ecological systems, sustainable practices and use of materials, site planning, and advanced drafting and rendering techniques. By graduation, each student will have a portfolio that reflects his or her unique creative vision within this rapidly expanding and evolving profession.

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Degree
Core Classes

This program is available online and on campus

School of Landscape Architecture

ARH 110

Studio 1: Conceptual Design Studio Core/3

Learn design principles for creating spaces for people. You will utilize design, methodology, and space-making principles to gain fundamental knowledge and skills in environmental design and prepare for future architecture and landscape architecture studios.

ARH 170

Design Communication Core/3

Create architectural drawings that convey design intent. Draft and model architectural spaces moving fluidly between 2D and 3D to create orthographic and isometric drawings. Learn the fundamentals of architectural drawing conventions and develop an efficient workflow incorporating Rhino and Adobe Suite.

ARH 239

Materials and Methods Core/3

Material choices are design decisions. You'll evaluate the unique properties and construction methods of materials, including the social constructs, environmental impacts, and design opportunities they provide.

ARH 240

Site Design and Mapping Core/3

Experience the dynamic interdisciplinary nature of site design. Taking physical characteristics, regulatory parameters, accessibility, and sustainable design principles into consideration, you'll develop a site design that combines your skills and understanding of topography, landscape, and urban design.

FND 113

Sketching for Communication Core/3

Communicate your ideas through drawing. Learn to draw objects, figures, and environments to scale and in perspective and to create drawings using compositional strategies and camera angles that can be used in sequential imagery.

LAN 223

Digital Graphics for Landscape Architecture Core/3

You'll learn to digitally draft plans, sections, elevations, axonometrics and renderings. You'll become proficient in the same software that today's design professionals use to produce legible, accurate, and well organized digital documents. (This course is cross-listed with LAN 665.)

LAN 250

Landscape Design Studio Core/3

All landscape designs need an organizing concept. Where do these "big ideas" come from? Using diagrams, study models, and scaled drawings, you'll learn to translate your design concepts into design proposals.

LAN 412

Landscape Architecture Site Design Studio Core/3

You will build upon various skills and knowledge gained in previous courses, and collaboratively create public outdoor spaces that not only integrate green infrastructure but are equitable and accessible to all. Focus will be placed on exploring each step of the planning and design process to achieve these goals. (This course is cross-listed with LAN 712.)

Degree Requirements

Unit Requirements	Units
Core	18
Sophomore Portfolio	3
Senior Portfolio	3
Major	45
Electives	9
Liberal Arts	42
Total	120

BFA LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Minimum grade of C- in all core courses, major courses, and the following courses:
LA 115 Natural Systems in the Landscape
LA 117 Survey of Landscape Architecture
LA 255 College Math
LA 271 College Algebra with Geometry
Minimum 2.0 GPA and the following general education requirements:
3 History of the Built Environment courses
1 Art & Design Communication course
1 Written Communication: Critical Thinking course
1 Fundamental Math course
1 Applied Math course
1 Ecological Systems course
1 History of Landscape Architecture course
1 Historical Awareness course
1 Cultural Ideas & Influences course
1 Architecture Employment Communications & Practices course

After above general education requirements are met, take Liberal Arts electives as needed to fulfill the Liberal Arts unit requirement.

Additional Information

Liberal Arts

Program Learning Outcomes

Undergraduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:

DESIGN PROPOSALS

Design beautiful and functional outdoor environments of all scales that respond to specific user/client needs and programmatic requirements
Produce defensible planning and design solutions that reflect knowledge of the cultural, historical, ecological and climatic factors of a given site

RESEARCH AND DESIGN PROCESS

Conduct a thorough observation and analysis and/or a post-occupancy evaluation of a site in order to determine how people use space
Work effectively with the natural forms, processes and elements of an indigenous landscape during the entire planning and design process
Apply the basic principles and elements of design to landscape architecture planning and design proposals
Explore sufficient concepts and alternative proposals as part of the planning and design process

NATURAL SYSTEMS

Identify the indigenous components and processes found on any site (soil types, individual plant species, plant communities, wildlife, climatic conditions, and hydrology) and determine the resultant planning and design opportunities and constraints
Effectively use trees, shrubs, grasses, annuals, perennials and bulbs in their planting designs in order to provide year-round seasonal beauty and function

TECHNICAL SYSTEMS AND MATERIALS

Design technically accurate and ecologically sensitive grading and drainage plans
Select materials that will enhance the aesthetic and ecological qualities of a given site as well as provide for the programmatic requirements of the client and/or user group
Develop construction details that solve structural, functional, aesthetic/environmental issues
Recognize the design opportunities and limitations of building and construction codes

HISTORICAL PRECEDENT

Demonstrate sufficient knowledge of historical precedents, including cultural and geographic forces that have shaped major historical gardens, public parks and urban open spaces in their design projects

GRAPHIC/VISUAL COMMUNICATION

Visually communicate their ideas and proposals (perspectives, axonometrics, plans sections and elevations)
Successfully use a range of visual media to communicate their ideas and proposals (freehand and computer drawing, drafting, three dimensional models, rendered presentation illustratives)

VERBAL PRESENTATION SKILLS

Successfully communicate design proposals and key objectives of their projects
Articulate rationale for design decisions throughout the design process

PROFESSIONAL READINESS

Produce a professional portfolio demonstrating their skills and design process
Collaborate effectively with other members of a project team