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Office of the University Registrar

2005-06 Undergraduate Catalog
Course Descriptions

Landscape Architecture
College of Design, Construction and Planning

LAA 1920 Introduction to Landscape Architecture
Credits: 3.
An introductory course with the purpose to instill an understanding of the profession of Landscape Architecture, a profession defined as an art and science of planning or designing on the land-arranging and creating spaces and objects in a landscape for human use. Open to all students.

LAA 2330 Site Analysis
Credits: 3.
Inventory, analysis and evaluation of site development procedures; emphasis on landscape ecology.

LAA 2340C Landscape Architecture Rendering and Presentation
Credits: 2; Coreq: LAA 2360, majors only.
Students will develop appropriate techniques in landscape architectural graphics, rendering and presentation formats. The course covers traditional drawing types such as plan elevation section, iso, axiomatic and perspective drawing.

LAA 2360C Principles of Landscape Architecture
Credits: 5; Prereq: ARC 1301; Coreq: LAA 2340.
This course builds upon the fundamental principles of design covered in previous studios to explore a range of landscape architectural issues. Site design problems incorporating a mixture of cultural, environmental, and historical topics provide a framework for students to develop their analytical skills, communication techniques, and general understanding of design.

LAA 2370C CAD Landform Modeling
Credits: 3.
Introduction to 2 and 3 dimensional computer-aided design with an express understanding of land form and the principles of grading.

LAA 2710 History of Landscape Architecture
Credits: 3.
Landscape Architecture is the art and science of arranging functions and spaces within the ecology of the land and the culture of the humans who inhabit it. Survey of the history of humans as it is expressed in such diverse areas as urban form, community planning, gardens, parks and recreational areas, agricultural patterns and land management. Open to all students. (H, I)

LAA 3230 Theories of Landscape Architecture
Credits: 3.
Exploration of the theories pertinent to the practice and study of landscape architecture. Addresses primarily aesthetic and cultural principles and values with related ecological aspects.

LAA 3350C Site Design and Planning Studio
Credits: 5; Prereq: LAA 2360.
Application of basic site design principles on small-scale projects.

LAA 3352C Planting Design Studio
Credits: 5; Prereq: LAA 3350C and ORH 3513C; Coreq: BOT 3151C.
The planting design studio is designed to introduce the student to the planting design process, its relationship to the site planning, existing site conditions, project locale and client needs.

LAA 3372C Computer Applications in Design
Credits: 3.
This course provides a hands-on, skills-oriented overview of the computer modeling, imaging and communication applications used in landscape architectural design. The course will explore a range of advanced presentation and communication skills such as surface modeling, rendering and publishing.

LAA 3420 Landscape Construction 1
Credits: 5; Prereq: LAA 2360.
Characteristics of land form and the effects of grading on drainage, soils and location of landscape architectural elements; pavings, low retaining walls; quantification skills.

LAA 3421 Landscape Construction 2
Credits: 5; Prereq: LAA 3420.
Design and construction drawings for public and private landscape structures, landscape utilities, and irrigation system layouts; specifications, takeoffs and estimating.

LAA 3510 Planting Design for Residences
Credits: 3; Prereq: ORH 3513C.
Introduction to the principles and elements of design as it is related to planting design. Projects are to be residential in scale with emphasis on composition and aesthetics.

LAA 3530 Landscape Management
Credits: 3.
Survey of landscape management and contracting procedures with emphasis on residential, institutional and urban landscapes.

LAA 4210 Landscape Architecture Professional Practice
Credits: 4.
Preparation for professional practice and the understanding of the business of landscape architecture in private and public arenas.

LAA 4240 Cities: Structure and Form
Credits: 3.
This course is designed to introduce two- and three-dimensional understanding of differing urban areas to upper division and graduate students of the College of Design Construction and Planning. The course will explore issues of physical planning, public open space, and related development in modern international cities.

LAA 4353C Urban Design Studio
Credits: 6; Prereq: LAA 3352C.
Design studio emphasizing the physical, social-behavioral, and civil factors involved with the design and planning of towns, cities and the public space found therein. Projects range in scale and complexity including the design of a new urban environment and/or existing urban development.

LAA 4356C Principles of Golf Course Design
Credits: 5; Prereq: LAA 2370 and LAA 3352.
This course introduces students to the principles of golf course design. It includes the routing and layout of golf courses, construction documentation and contract documentation. Case studies will be presented and analyzed. This course can substitute for LAA 4353 and is intended for degree seeking students of landscape architecture with a specialization in golf course design.

LAA 4357 Senior Independent Project Seminar
Credits: 2; Prereq: LAA 4353 and LAA 3421.
A focus on proposal writing and information gathering to support the senior independent project.

LAA 4358 Senior Independent Project
Credits: 8; Prereq: completion of all previous design studios and construction courses.
This final semester-long project allows students to expand personal interests and talents, to hone decision-making abilities, and to sharpen professional skills through well-rounded, comprehensive completion of individual projects. Project must be approved by the faculty.

LAA 4359 Environmental Planning and Design Studio
Credits: 6; Prereq: LAA 4353 and LAA 4382.
This studio will introduce students to decision-making and the regional scale (county-scale and larger). It will build upon the principles and technologies introduced in LAA 4382 as well as all the previous design studios.

LAA 4381C Environmental Methods and GIS
Credits: 4.
Instruction on the interpretation of landform including patterns of hydrology, physiography, soils and assemblages of plants and animals. Aerial photographic interpretation will teach these biological and physical factors using GIS systems.

LAA 4450 Landscape Architecture Design Implementation
Credits: 5; Prereq: LAA 3420 and LAA 3421.
Integration of the principles of construction with design. The class will be a combination of lecture and studio, complementing the instruction in the design studio class. Students will complete a full set of construction documents to support their design concept prepared in the beginning of the course.

LAA 4830 Planning and Design of Recreation and Park Sites
Credits: 3.
The purpose of this course is to enhance a student's appreciation and understanding of the field of recreational planning and management. The course will study typologies of parks and recreational facilities.

LAA 4905 Special Studies in Landscape Architecture
Credits: 1 to 6; can be repeated with a change in content up to 6 credits. Prereq: permission of instructor.
Studio investigations of special topics in landscape architecture adjusted to individual needs of advanced undergraduate and graduate students.

LAA 4933C Topics in European Design/Paris France
Credits: 4; Coreq: LAA 4952C.
This course is intended to parallel the studio and to elaborate on the western influences of landscape architectural design. Topics will cover a variety of subjects around historic and current design methodologies. Extensive travel is expected.

LAA 4935 Gardens of the World
Credits: 3.
An assessment and discussion of works of landscape architecture with emphasis on user evaluation, design trends and research directions. Open to all majors.(H, I)

LAA 4940 Landscape Architecture Internship
Credits: 3; can be repeated with a change in content up to 6 credits.
Internship in a private/public sector office under the direction of a registered landscape architect; required for graduation.

LAA 4941C Extended Internship with Landscape Architect
Credits: 9; Coreq: LAA 4940.
Internship in a private/public sector office under the direction of a registered landscape architect.

LAA 4952C European Landscape Architecture Studio
Credits: 5; Coreq: LAA 4933.
As one of several options, students are encouraged to participate in the Landscape Architectural design studios at the university's facility in Paris, France. Studio covers classical and ecological design methodologies as represented in Europe and utilizes Paris and vicinities as case studies. Extensive guided and independent travel is expected, touring landscape architectural sites in France and other European countries.



General Education Categories

  • Composition (C)
  • Mathematical Sciences (M)
  • Humanities (H)
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (S)
  • Physical (P) and Biological (B) Sciences
  • International and Diversity focus (I)

Symbols Used in Course Descriptions

  • (WR) indicates the course satisfies the writing requirement.
    The Schedule of Courses lists the amount of writing credit per course section.
  • (MR) indicates the course satisfies the math requirement.
  • †† indicates the course may be taken on an S-U basis.