The Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning offers a professional graduate degree, the Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA), and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning.
Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA)
The Master of Landscape Architecture degree is a professional degree accredited by the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board, part of the American Society of Landscape Architects and qualifies graduates for licensure in California and elsewhere. The MLA program is certified as a STEM discipline. The program offers advanced education in landscape architecture and environmental planning from the scale of the site to the region to the ecosystem. The MLA requires a set of core courses for all students emphasizing cross-scaler analysis, representation, design, and planning. This core pedagogy forms the foundation for extended coursework in specialized aspects of landscape design and environmental planning.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning
The Doctor of Philosophy encompasses advanced research in the field of landscape architecture and environmental planning. It requires the development of original research that contributes to the theories, methods, and knowledge in the field. The program particularly emphasizes the development of research which applies social and ecological science methods to illuminate the complexities of decision-making regarding human alteration of the landscape and its outcomes for the local and global environment. The PhD degree in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning is appropriate for those seeking careers in academia, research institutions, and leadership roles in non-profits, government, and professional consultation.
Thank you for considering UC Berkeley for graduate study! UC Berkeley offers more than 120 graduate programs representing the breadth and depth of interdisciplinary scholarship. The Graduate Division hosts a complete list of graduate academic programs, departments, degrees offered, and application deadlines can be found on the Graduate Division website.
Prospective students must submit an online application to be considered for admission, in addition to any supplemental materials specific to the program for which they are applying. The online application and steps to take to apply can be found on the Graduate Division website.
Admission Requirements
The minimum graduate admission requirements are:
A bachelor’s degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution;
A satisfactory scholastic average, usually a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) on a 4.0 scale; and
Enough undergraduate training to do graduate work in your chosen field.
For a list of requirements to complete your graduate application, please see the Graduate Division’s Admissions Requirements page. It is also important to check with the program or department of interest, as they may have additional requirements specific to their program of study and degree. Department contact information can be found here.
A bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement for admission to the graduate program. It is recommended that applicants have completed a minimum of one basic course each in the life, earth and social sciences. In addition, graphics and freehand drawing are strongly recommended for applicants with non-design backgrounds. The MLA 3D is accredited by the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board part of the American Society of Landscape Architects. The department also offers two specialized advanced standing options for the accredited degree based on previous degrees, the MLA 2D and the MLA EP.
MLA 3D: First Professional Degree
The three-year MLA degree is the accredited first professional degree. This degree is for students without backgrounds in design, planning, or environmental science who wish to emphasize landscape design.
MLA 2D: Advanced Standing Professional Degree
The two-year MLA degree is an advanced standing option for students with first degrees in landscape architecture, architecture, or environmental design who wish to pursue graduate degrees specializing landscape design.
MLA EP: Environmental Planning
The two-year MLA in environmental planning is an advanced standing option for students with first degrees in landscape architecture, architecture, the environmental sciences, city planning, or related degrees specializing in large-scale landscape planning and the application of geographic information science (GIS).
Admission to the PhD Program
Admission is granted to a small number of individuals each year. Most successful applicants have completed a Master degree before entering. Students with only a bachelor's degree should apply to the MLA program first or otherwise complete an appropriate Master degree before applying.
Doctoral Degree Requirements
The PhD in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning provides an opportunity to pursue cutting edge research addressing important issues in planning for sustainability under conditions of increasing urbanization and changing climate. The program emphasizes development of theories and methods underlying the field, and the processes of planning and design as they relate to solution of problems in the natural and urban environment. The PhD degree is appropriate for students seeking careers in research, teaching, or specialized roles in government or professional consultation.
Degree Requirements
Requirements for the PhD degree are 48 units of coursework selected to develop the student’s specialization within the field, a two-year academic residency, reading knowledge of a foreign language relevant to the student’s research, successful completion of a qualifying exam, and completion of a dissertation. Progress toward the degree is evaluated by the PhD committee each semester until the student advances to candidacy (normally by the end of the fifth semester), and by the student’s dissertation committee thereafter.
Doctoral Seminar in Environmental Planning (Five semesters)
1
Individualized approved study list, as per student’s research interest
27
Research
PhD students conduct research to advance the field of environmental planning and landscape architecture, increasing the base of knowledge and theory in support of scholarship and professional practice. PhD students often take an interdisciplinary approach, drawing upon methods from diverse fields, to find proactive solutions to problems of sustainability in an increasing urban world subject to more extreme climate and rising sea levels, and addressing issues of equity and justice. PhD students apply cutting-edge mapping and analytical methods, along with social science approaches, to develop insights and planning tools that can serve to protect at- risk populations, enhance environmental quality and restore ecosystems, and improve social equity.
Admissions Criteria
Admission to the PhD program is granted to a small number of highly qualified students, usually with strong backgrounds in natural and social sciences relevant to their research interests, and who will have completed a masters degree prior to entering the PhD program.
Master's Degree Requirements
The Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning offers three Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) degree options accredited by the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board (LAAB) of American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) structured to provide advanced professional learning in landscape design and planning:
The three-year MLA degree is the first professional degree for students with non-design backgrounds.
The two-year MLA degree offers two advanced standing options for students with first degrees in landscape architecture, architecture, or environmental design. There is a curriculum for students with an undergraduate degree in landscape architecture and a curriculum for students with an undergraduate degree in architecture or environmental design.
The two-year environmental planning is an advanced standing option for students with first degrees in landscape architecture, architecture, the environmental sciences, city planning, or related degrees.
Degree Requirements
Students are required to select and complete one of two plans for the degree: Plan I—Thesis, or Plan II—Comprehensive Exam (professional project or designated studio.) The thesis is for students who wish to do original research on a problem in landscape architecture or environmental planning. The thesis committee is composed of two faculty members from the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning and a third faculty member from another department at Berkeley. The comprehensive exam format can be either a professional project or a designated studio that demonstrates broad competence plus the concepts and skills necessary to the field of landscape architecture. The professional project comprises a real-world project. The professional project committee is comprised of two faculty members (the committee chair must be a faculty member from the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning) and an optional third member from outside the University community affiliated with the project.
Students may elect to fulfill the final degree requirement through the successful completion of a comprehensive exam studio taken in their final semester. Students who are in the Environmental Planning track or in one of the concurrent degree programs are not eligible for the comprehensive exam studio option. Students in the concurrent degree programs must see the Graduate Student Affairs Officer for details on degree completion procedures and requirements.
In addition, a summer internship (preferably taken the summer before the student's final year) is recommended. Previous professional experience may be substituted for this internship.
Normative time for the MLA degree is either two years (design background and environmental planning students) or three years (non-design background). A student's normative time is determined when the student enters the MLA program.
Public Information Policy
Public Information Policy Programs accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB) are required to provide reliable information to the public. Programs must report on accreditation status and its performance. This information is to help potential students make informed application decisions. To review this information, click here.
Curriculum
MLA 3D Option (Three Years): First Professional Degree (79 Units Required)
Topics in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning
1
Select one social factors course from departmental breadth list
3
Select one landscape architecture history course
3
Electives
Variable
Courses
Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
This studio introduces students to the programmatic, artistic, and technical aspects of land form and topographic adjustments to accommodate human use. Topics include pedestrian and vehicular circulation, conservation and addition of plant materials, movement of water, recreation use, and creation of views. Sculptural land forms will be emphasized through the use of topographic plans, sections, and contour models. Fundamentals of Landscape Design: Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of lecture and 6 hours of studio per week
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023
This studio stresses the shaping and coordination of ideas from initial concept to complete design product. A product(s) of intermediate scale and complexity (such as a garden, small park, plaza, or campus courtyard) will be developed in detail including the selection of planting, selection of construction materials, and topographic design. Lecture modules on selected professional topics are integrated into this course. Case Studies in Landscape Design: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Landscape Architecture 200A
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of lecture and 6 hours of studio per week
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
Through lectures, studio problems, research projects, and discussion, this course will explore the challenge and potential incorporating ecological factors in urban contexts. The course focuses on the interaction of landscape science (hydrology, geology, etc.) with the necessities and mechanisms of the human environment (urban design, transportation, economics, etc.). Lectures and research projects will particularly emphasize innovative and forward thinking solutions to the ecological problems of the human environment. Throughout the semester, reading and discussion sessions will highlight the connections between the broader concerns of the global ecological crisis and landscape design and planning. Ecological Factors in Urban Landscape Design: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 110, 134A-134B, or consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of lecture and 6 hours of studio per week
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023
A site design studio stressing the shaping and coordination of ideas from initial concept to complete design of open space in various contexts. Typical projects will be of an intermediate scale and might include a park, plaza, museum sculpture garden, playground, office park, or housing project. Modules on social factors and planting design are included. Design of Landscape Sites: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 201 or consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of lecture and 6 hours of studio per week
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
A site design studio stressing the shaping and coordination of ideas from initial concept to the thoughtful execution of design ideas at the site scale. Typical projects will focus on the experiential rather than the pictorial. Projects might include a park, plaza, or rehabilitation of a brownfield site. Landscape Project Design: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 201, or consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 6 hours of studio per week
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
This interdisciplinary studio focuses on the public realm of cities and explores opportunities for creating more humane and delightful public places. Problems will be at multiple scales in both existing urban centers and in areas of new growth. Skills in analyzing, designing, and communicating urban design problems will be developed. Studio work will be supplemented with lectures, discussions, and field trips. Visiting professionals will present case studies and will serve on reviews. Shaping the Public Realm: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Previous design studio or consent of instrutor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 6 hours of studio per week
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023
Special topics in the design and planning of the landscape. The focus of the studio varies from semester to semester. Possible topics include community design, educative environments, landscape as art, park design, or energy-conserving design. For current offerings, see department announcement. Advanced Project Design: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 201 or consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 6 hours of studio per week
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023
Application of environmental planning principles to a complex problem involving a variety of environmental criteria and desired land uses in a complex institutional and political setting. Student teams will identify needed data, assess environmental developmental problems, weigh competing uses, and prepare an environmental management plan. Environmental Planning Studio: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 201 or consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 6 hours of studio per week
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023
This is a spring studio for students to work on final projects (theses and professional reports). The studio, including lectures by the instructor, is meant to train and assist students in thesis or professional project research and help them in finalizing their thesis or professional report topic. The course includes weekly exercises ranging from writing articles documenting, illustrating, and critiquing landscapes to finally producing a thesis or professional report. Final Project Preparation Studio: Thesis and Reports: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 252 and graduate standing
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 6 hours of studio per week
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023
Discussion and critique of the application of quantitative methods to environmental assessment, analysis, and evaluation in environmental planning. Topics to include geographical information systems and data bases, remote sensing, and multivariate analysis. This course emphasizes computer applications and data analysis. Quantitative Methods in Environmental Planning: Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1.5 hours of lecture and 3 hours of laboratory per week
Terms offered: Spring 2022, Spring 2019, Spring 2018
This course presents an overview of relevant hydrologic, hydraulic, and geomorphic processes, to provide the planner and ecologist with insight sufficient to coordinate with technical specialists in the field of hydrology. In addition, relevant regulations and policies are reviewed. Hydrology for Planners: Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 2 hours of laboratory per week
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024
The course investigates the process of developing schematic landscape design proposals into constructed landscapes. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the durability of materials and design details, the efficient use of materials, and the ability to evaluate how material selection and detailing can impact the environment. Field trips to construction sites, manufacturing facilities, and built landscapes will be included. Landscape Design Construction: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 121 (may be taken concurrently)
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of seminar per week
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
This course reviews the underlying goals and assumptions of river and stream restoration projects, reviews techniques employed in these efforts, and emphasizes strategies for evaluation of project success. The course focuses on geomorphic and hydrologic analyses relevant to restoration and enhancement of aquatic and riparian habitat in freshwater systems. Format: lectures by instructor, guest lectures, presentation of student independent projects, and field trips. Course requirement: independent term project involving original research. Restoration of Rivers and Streams: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Prior background in hydrology, geomorphology, ecology, restoration, or consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of seminar per week
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023
This course explains fundamental concepts in flood risk management, summarizes the history
of flood management in California, the US, and globally, and tracks the development of state-
of-the art approaches to assessing flood risk, equity implications, and utilizing nature-based
solutions to sustainably manage floods. The course is offered at both the upper-division undergraduate (LA119) and graduate (LA229)
levels. Lectures are the same for both undergrad and grad courses, but there are separate
discussion sections and requirements. Flood Risk Management: Read More [+]
Objectives & Outcomes
Course Objectives: The objective of the course is to provide students with an understanding of the physical processes giving rise to floods, and also the social and institutional response to flood risk.
Student Learning Outcomes: Students will learn the fundamental hydrologic processes behind flooding, the models commonly employed to assess the extent of flood hazard, the limitations of extrapolating short hydrologic records to estimate long-return period floods such as the 100-year flood, limitations of structural measures to control flood hazard, and increase in flood hazard arising from climate change.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023
This course will examine emerging trends in environmental planning and policy and the basic regulatory framework for environmental planning encountered in the U.S. We will also relate the institutional and policy framework of California and the United States to other nations and emerging international institutions. The emphasis of the course will be on regulating "residuals" as they affect three media: air, water, and land. Environmental Planning and Regulation: Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2010
Visual and cultural analysis of landscapes, inventory procedures for "place" values, and problems related to sustainable design development, with special emphasis on highly valued places. The Landscape As a Sacred Place: Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
This course will provide students an opportunity to analyze and interpret the iconic built landscapes of the Bay Area through direct observation and field sketching. The vision for the course is influenced by the global popularity of the Urban Sketchers movement, a phenomenon based on personal engagement with one’s environment. The annotated sketchbook will be used as the primary tool for investigation and documentation of core fundamental principles and elements of landscape and urban design. Lectures and hands-on demonstrations will give students the tools to respond to and construct meaning from their on-site observations. Drawn from the Field: Read More [+]
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
This foundational course will be structured through weekly and bi-weekly exercises that are loosely linked with the core studio course, LA 200A. The exercises will explore landscape representation through a variety of drawing types and conventions, across geographic and temporal scales, and through a productive relationship between analog and digital techniques. Drawing the Landscape: Read More [+]
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023
This course will explore landscape representation through a variety of drawing types and conventions, across a range of scales, and through a deep engagement with digital media. This course builds on the foundational methods developed in LA 234A, incorporating new methods, tools, and techniques for digital visualization. The course is structured through lectures and discussions about the historical and theoretical relevance of the theme, as well as, lab sessions focused on demonstrating representational tools and techniques. Simultaneous to these units, continued development of analog sketching will be expected. Landscape Processes through Drawing and Modeling: Read More [+]
Terms offered: Fall 2019, Fall 2018, Spring 2004
This course is a laboratory for design thinking, invention and visual perception. A designed landscape has the potential to induce a powerful emotional experience. The premise of this course is based on the idea that highly valued places are works of art, as well as places of enlightenment and transformation. This class will explore ideas of ‘sacredness’ in the landscape through a series of design explorations and a summation project. Our journey of discovery aspires to provide future landscape architects with a new and unique perspective to help them recognize and generate sacred landscapes. Design Thinking will outline a process for creative practice that builds upon historic approaches while imagining new possibilities. Design Thinking: Art, Nature, Consciousness: Read More [+]
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023
A review of the techniques used in environmental planning, and evaluation of alternate means of implementation in varying environmental and political circumstances. The class will examine and critique a number of well-known environmental planning programs and plans. Lectures and discussion will address recurrent planning problems, such as the limitations of available data, legal and political constraints on plans, conflicts among specialists. The Process of Environmental Planning: Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022, Fall 2021
The components, structure, and meaning of the urban environment. Environmental problems, attitudes, and criteria. Environmental survey, analysis, and interview techniques. Methods of addressing environmental quality. Environmental simulation. Research Methods in Environmental Design: Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 2 hours of laboratory per week
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
This course examines the theories, practices, and ethics of undertaking community engagement and public participation relative to planning processes. Students will learn about traditional forms of engagement and participation, while also testing newer theories and practices in the field. Community Engagement and Public Participation in Planning Processes: Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
Theories and patterns of urban form throughout history are studied with emphasis on the role of planning and design in shaping cities and the relationship between urban form and social, economic, and geographic factors. Using a case study approach, cities are evaluated in terms of various theories and performance dimensions. Theories of Urban Form and Design: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Terms offered: Fall 2016, Spring 2016, Fall 2014
The focus will be on debate and discussion of central ideas in landscape architecture and environmental planning, drawing on primary literature over many decades of thought. This is not a history course, but it will include some literature that goes back to the early years of the field. This course covers the breadth of thinking in the field, including both environmental planning and landscape design as well as other sub disciplines. Each week students will lead a debate on a different theoretical issue. Theories of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning: Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of seminar per week
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
Students learn research methods including social factors, historical/archival, design exploration, master planning, theoretical, and scientific field work. Students develop a conceptual framework, survey instrument, literature review, and detailed work plan. A full committee and funding proposal due on the last day of class. Thesis and Professional Project Proposal Seminar: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 252A
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1.5 hours of seminar and 1.5 hours of discussion per week
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024
Invited lectures on current research, planning practice, and design projects. Out of approximately 14 presentations per term, typically two or three would be by department faculty, two or three by graduating students, the remainder by outside speakers. Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning Colloquium: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1.5 hours of colloquium per week
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024
Designed to be a forum for presentation of student research, discussions with faculty researchers and practitioners, and examination of topical issues in landscape architecture and environmental planning. Topics will be announced at the beginning of each semester. Topics in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1-5 hours of seminar per week
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
Designed to be a forum for presentation of doctoral student research, discussions with faculty researchers and environmental planning practitioners, and examination of topical issues in environmental planning. Topics will be announced at the beginning of each semester. Doctoral Seminar in Environmental Planning: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Doctoral student or consent of instructor
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 8 weeks - 3 hours of seminar per week
Terms offered: Spring 2019, Spring 2018, Spring 2017
Research seminar on selected topics in landscape design. Seminars will focus on the theoretical foundations and practical applications of design and planning methods as well as emerging issues in the discipline. Seminars will include lectures by the faculty member offering the course, guest lecturers, student presentations, and discussions. Readings and requirements vary from year to year based on the topic and instructor. Special Topics in Design: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Graduate standing or consent of instructor
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1-3 hours of seminar per week
Summer: 6 weeks - 1-3 hours of seminar per week 8 weeks - 1-3 hours of seminar per week
Terms offered: Fall 2023, Spring 2023, Fall 2022
Under the guidance of the instructor of record, each year a team of graduate students works together to choose a journal theme, apply for funding and awards, solicit and select submissions, edit and design articles, arrange a print run and/or online publication, and advertise and market the journal. Ground Up Journal: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Graduate Standing or consent of instructor
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1-3 hours of seminar per week
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023
This course provides instruction and guidance in the professional practice aspect of landscape architecture in the United States. Covering the breadth of the profession, we will learn the professional duties of a landscape architect, and the process of completing a real-life landscape architectural project. The goal of this class will be to learn what it means to be a practicing, licensed landscape architect, with the understanding that this is ultimately a construction based, service-oriented industry. Professional Practice Seminar: Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of seminar per week
Terms offered: Spring 2021, Spring 2020
Methods for increasing urban sustainability and resilience through decentralized infrastructure design and appropriate development site design, with a focus on flooding and fire as drivers of urban adaptation at the block and district scales. Comparative frameworks for urban infrastructure systems analysis and resilience. Basic quantitative skills for flooding-related block, street and district design. Lessons-learned from key international and regional design adaptations for fire, flooding and sea level rise. Resilience and Urban Development: Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of seminar per week
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2022, Spring 2021
Representations typically demonstrate two different forms of landscape analysis—empirical data and personal perception/aesthetics—but landscape provides opportunities for their overlaps in order to advance and synthesize robust research. Through lectures, technical tutorials, and reading discussions, this course will profile contemporary landscape research practices and representational techniques. We will use visualization to advance landscape research, theory, and site analysis, focusing specifically on methods that tackle issues of temporality and ephemerality. We will generate original media that communicates spatial, ecological, and cultural complexities. Representation as Research: Contemporary Topics in Landscape Visualization: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Working knowledge of Rhino, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign)
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of laboratory and 1 hour of lecture per week
Terms offered: Spring 2022, Spring 2021, Spring 2020
This course consists of one lecture and one computer lab per week introducing fundamental principles and methods of environmental remote sensing and their practical applications. We will explore strategies for working with different types of remote sensing data and extracting image-based landscape information for various environmental research and planning objectives. This course focuses largely on local to regional scale applications of remote sensing in ecology, environmental planning and design, civil & environmental engineering and natural resource management. Applied Remote Sensing: Read More [+]
Objectives & Outcomes
Course Objectives: Become familiar with different types of data and instruments in remote sensing and learn how to choose the optimal remote sensing data and procedure for various landscape and environmental analysis applications. Develop the capacity to work with the remote sensing literature and synthesize the relevant knowledge across different studies. Explore traditional and novel remote sensing techniques and their use in landscape planning, environmental studies and natural resource management. Learn practical skills and techniques to extracting landscape information from remote sensing data as image interpretation, classification, accuracy assessment, mapping and change analysis.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: An introductory GIS course such as LA C188/Geography C188, ESPM 233 or equivalent
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1.5 hours of lecture and 1.5 hours of laboratory per week
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022
This course consists of one lecture and one computer lab per week introducing fundamental principles and methods of environmental remote sensing and their practical applications. We will explore strategies for working with different types of remote sensing data and extracting image-based landscape information for various environmental research and planning objectives. This course focuses largely on local to regional scale applications of remote sensing in ecology, environmental planning and design, civil & environmental engineering and natural resource management.
Course Objectives:
Learn practical skills and techniques to extracting landscape information from remote sensing data as image interpretation, classification, accuracy assessment, mapping and change analysis.
Become familiar with different types of data and instruments in remote sensing and learn how to choose the optimal remote sensing data and procedure for various landscape and environmental analysis applications.
Explore traditional and novel remote sensing techniques and their use in landscape planning, environmental studies and natural resource management.
Develop the capacity to work with the remote sensing literature and synthesize the relevant knowledge across different studies.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: An introductory GIS course such as LA C188/Geography C188 or equivalent
Terms offered: Not yet offered
Our class introduces foundational concepts of urban
ecology with the emphasis on urban trees and their social and ecological implications.
We will explore different aspects of urban forest ecological functioning, benefits and
disservices, practical issues related to their management, planning, and design, and
social and environmental justice aspects of urban trees. We will investigate these topics
through a diverse array of activities including in-class discussions, readings, reflections,
presentations and outdoor tree walks. Urban Forestry: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: this course requires a basic understanding of plant and ecosystem ecology via at least one introductory course in general ecology, ecosystem ecology, plant or forest ecology, ecological analysis (e.g., ESPM/LDARCH C110), or similar
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of seminar per week
Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Spring 2014
Open to qualified students who have been advanced to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree and are directly engaged upon the doctoral dissertation. Directed Dissertation Research: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Advancement to Ph.D. candidacy
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1-12 hours of independent study per week
Summer: 8 weeks - 1.5-22.5 hours of independent study per week
Terms offered: Fall 2022, Fall 2018, Spring 2016
Supervised experience relative to specific aspects of practice in landscape architecture and/or environmental planning. Regular meetings with faculty and outside sponsor as well as final report required. See departmental information sheet for other limitations. Supervised Field Study: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and sponsor
Credit Restrictions: Any combination of 295 or 297 may be taken for a total of six units maximum toward the M.L.A. degree.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1-3 hours of fieldwork per week
Terms offered: Fall 2022, Fall 2021, Spring 2021
Special group studies. Topics to be announced at the beginning of each semester. Group Study: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 0 hours of independent study per week
Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2016, Fall 2015
Research work conducted preparatory to completion of the thesis or professional project as well as other approved research. A maximum of six units will be counted toward the M.L.A degree. The six units allows for four units maximum for thesis or professional project research, and two units maximum for other approved research. See departmental information sheet for other limitations. Individual Research: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Graduate standing and consent of instructor
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 0 hours of independent study per week
Summer: 6 weeks - 2.5-30 hours of independent study per week 8 weeks - 1.5-22.5 hours of independent study per week
Terms offered: Fall 2012, Fall 2010, Fall 2009
This course presents general pedagogical principles and methods adapted to teaching in the fields of landscape architecture, environmental planning, and environmental sciences. The format varies from week to week, but involves presentations by faculty and experienced graduate student instructors (GSIs), guided discussions, sharing of teaching experiences for current GSIs, discussion of readings on effective teaching, viewing of videos, and presentation by GSIs of sections for upcoming weeks. Required of all graduate students to be eligible for appointment as GSIs; may be taken concurrently with first GSI position for entering students. Topics include learning objectives, lesson plans, active learning, group learning, classroom diversity, assessing student learning, giving constructive feedback, teaching in the studio environment, engaging students through field exercises, grading, and composing effective tests. Methods of Teaching in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Graduate student standing
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Landscape Architecture/Professional course for teachers or prospective teachers
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2022, Fall 2020
This course presents general pedagogical principles and methods adapted to teaching in the fields of landscape architecture, environmental planning, and environmental sciences. The content varies from week to week, but involves presentations by faculty and experienced graduate student instructors (GSIs), guided discussions, sharing of teaching experiences for current GSIs, discussion of readings on effective teaching, viewing of videos, and presentation by GSIs of sections for upcoming weeks. Required of all graduate students to be eligible for appointment as GSIs; may be taken concurrently with first GSI position for entering students. Methods of Teaching in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Graduate student standing
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Landscape Architecture/Professional course for teachers or prospective teachers
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Terms offered: Spring 2016, Fall 2015, Spring 2015
Individual study in consultation with the major field adviser, intended to provide an opportunity for qualified students to prepare themselves for the various examinations required of candidates for the Ph.D. Individual Study for Doctoral Students: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: For candidates for doctor's degree
Credit Restrictions: Course does not satisfy unit or residence requirements for doctoral degree.
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 0-0 hours of independent study per week
Summer: 10 weeks - 0-0 hours of independent study per week
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