Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning

Terms offered: Spring 2025, Summer 2024 8 Week Session, Spring 2024
This introductory studio course is open to all undergraduate students in the University, who want to investigate the process of drawing as a method to learn how to perceive, observe and represent the environment. This studio will encourage visual thinking as a formative tool for problem solving that provides a means to envision a sustainable future. The focus will be on the critical coordination between hand, mind and idea.
Drawing a Green Future: Fundamentals of Visual Representation and Creativity: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Summer 2024 8 Week Session, Fall 2023
The scientific basis of sustainability, explored through study of energy, water, food, natural resources, and built environment. Physical/ecological processes and systems, and human impacts from the global scale to local energy/resource use. Energy and water audits, opportunities to increase sustainability of processes/practices. Discussion/lab section involves field data collection/analysis (e.g., habitat characteristics and macroinvertebrate communities in local streams, measurement of atmospheric particulate matter concentrations, measurement of water savings from updated irrigation technologies) and a final, integrative sustainability assessment project.
Environmental Science for Sustainable Development: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Spring 2013, Spring 2012
Supervised group studies of various topics relevant to department that are not covered in depth by other courses. Topics may be initiated by students. Open to students in good standing who, in consultation with a faculty sponsor, present a proposal with clearly formulated objectives and means of implementation. Intended for exceptional students. Topics vary from semester to semester.
Directed Group Study for Freshmen and Sophomores: Read More [+]

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 [+]

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 [+]

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
This is an undergraduate studio with a central focus on climate modification for energy conservation. We will research historical precedents in order to develop new garden forms for passive green designs. We will also explore how past cultures integrated metaphysics into their gardens as an adjunct to microclimate and habitat design. The contemporary landscape should be a balanced interweaving of proportion, function, comfort, energy conservation, and enlightenment. Additionally, we will study the choreography of space and investigate how to animate the landscape through the creative interpretation of text and film. Many new and exciting opportunities lie ahead for the creation of garden forms that not only conserve energy, but are also works of art and places of spiritual renewal.
Energy, Fantasy, and Form: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Fall 2020, Fall 2019, Fall 2018
Analysis of environmental factors, ecosystem functions, and ecosystem dynamics, as related to decision-making for landscape planning and design.
Ecological Analysis: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Fall 2020, Fall 2019, Fall 2018
Introduction to field techniques for assessment of landscape factors. Factors include topography, geology, climate, soil, hydrology, flora, vegetation, and wildlife.
Ecological Analysis Laboratory: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
This course focuses on natural factors of the environment that are fundamental to ecosystem management, land use planning and landscape design and their relationships to one another in different terrestrial ecosystems, from predominantly natural to predominantly anthropogenic. Lectures explore the key concepts on ecosystem structure, function and dynamics and discuss different types of ecological data, their interpretation and visualization that can aid in landscape research, planning and design workflow. Laboratory sections advance lecture topics by providing hands-on training in common types of ecosystem analyses using quantitative methods and geospatial tools.
Ecological Analysis: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2022, Spring 2021
Through lecture, research, and studio assignments, this course introduces the use of plants as design elements in the landscape, from the urban scale to the site-specific scale, focusing on the public open space. By analyzing historic, contemporary, and Bay Area examples, the course examines the spatial, visual, and sensory qualities of vegetation, as well as the interplay with ecological functions and engineering uses of plants.
Plants in Design: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023
This course is an introduction to the identification and recognition, as well as design applications and uses, of plants in the landscape. Through lectures, assignments, and fieldwork, the course provides class participants with an appreciation of the importance of vertical vegetation as a design element. Students will be introduced to a variety of built projects and plants commonly used in Bay Area landscapes.
Landscape Plants: Identification and Use: Read More [+]

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 [+]

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
Technical, graphic and computational exercises, and studio problems in topographic site design and the shaping of the site for surface drainage.
Topographic Form and Design Technology: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023
This course introduces the visual and physical characteristics of landscape construction materials including, but not limited to, stone, brick, concrete, metal, asphalt, and wood. Additionally, lectures cover the production and availability of these materials, any existing evaluations on their sustainability, and their potential impact on the immediate environment. Students also learn to utilize standard sources of information on building materials and the terminology typically utilized when choosing and specifying construction materials. They become familiar with dimensional standards for landscape structures, including pavements, stairs, furnishings, retaining walls, freestanding walls, fences, decks, and small overhead structures.
Design in Detail: Introduction to Landscape Materials and Construction: Read More [+]

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 to incorporate these processes into the planning process and coordinate with specialists in the field of hydrology. Relevant government regulations and policies are also reviewed. The course is not intended to duplicate more specialized courses offered in such fields as engineering hydrology, coastal engineering, or geology, but rather to provide an integrated understanding. The course takes a process- and field-based approach to hydrology, and emphasizes interdisciplinary perspectives.
Hydrology for Planners: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Summer 2023 8 Week Session
This course is an introduction to issues of sustainability in the designed landscape and in our cities. It includes environmental history as well as contemporary social, environmental and political issues surrounding sustainable design and activism. The course stresses motives and values expressed through environmental design at various scales – from neighborhood to global and examines problems affecting healthy environments and their solutions. Students study the need for protection and restoration of healthy ecological systems within the design of cities and landscapes and discuss ways to enable these systems to thrive. Readings and discussions focus on means to evaluate, create and advocate for healthy, sustainable environments.
Sustainable Landscapes and Cities: Read More [+]

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 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016
This studio will elaborate on a number of studio themes while introducing the students to a variety of graphic mediums and drawing techniques. Measured drawing procedures (including orthographic projections) will be augmented by figure-ground principles and themes of contrast, color, chiaroscuro, and compositions. On-site and visits to galleries and museums will complement the studio sessions.
Drawing Workshop 1: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
This course introduces students to digital tools relevant to the discipline of landscape architecture. The course encompasses a series of lectures, lab exercises and projects designed to equip students with a foundational and expandable computing skill set relevant to the education and practice of landscape architecture. In addition to establishing technical competency, the course emphasizes establishing creative workflows between software applications.
Drawing Workshop II: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023
This course is a laboratory for 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.
Sacred Landscapes: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023
User-oriented approach to design. Post-occupancy evaluation as a tool for understanding use of designed open spaces. Design as a communication process. Environmental needs of vulnerable populations--children, elderly, disabled, low-income families. Personal and societal environmental values.
Social and Psychological Factors in Open Space Design: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Fall 2022, Fall 2021, Fall 2020
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.
Special Topics in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning: Read More [+]

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 [+]

Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023
This course surveys the history of landscape architecture in four realms: 1) gardens; 2) urban open space, that is, plazas, parks, and recreation systems; 3) urban and suburban design; and 4) regional and environmental planning. The course will review the cultural and social contexts which have shaped and informed landscape architecture practice and aesthetics, as well as the environmental concerns, horticultural practices, and technological innovations of historic landscapes.
History and Literature of Landscape Architecture: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
This course surveys the history of American landscape architecture since 1850 in four realms: 1) urban open spaces--that is squares, plazas, parks, and recreation systems; 2) urban and suburban design; 3) regional and environmental planning; 4) gardens. The course will review the cultural and social contexts which have shaped and informed landscape architecture in the United States since the advent of the public parks movement, as well as, the aesthetic precepts, environmental concerns, horticultural practices, and technological innovations of American landscapes. Students will complete a midterm, final, and a research assignment.
The American Designed Landscape Since 1850: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
This course offers an introduction to spatial data analysis. It integrates ArcGIS analysis with spatial statistical analysis for the study of pattern and process applicable to a wide variety of fields. Major topics covered include: spatial sampling, processing data with ARC Info, exploratory GIS analysis, spatial decomposition, spatial point patterns and Ripley's K function, spatial autocorrelation, geostatistics, spatially weighted regression, spatial autoregression, generalized linear models and generalized linear mixed models.
GIS and Environmental Spatial Data Analysis: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Prior to 2007
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 [+]

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
This course introduces the student to the rapidly expanding field of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). It addresses both theory and application and provides the student with a dynamic analytical framework within which temporal and spatial data and information is gathered, integrated, interpreted, and manipulated. It emphasizes a conceptual appreciation of GIS and offers an opportunity to apply some of those concepts to contemporary geographical and planning issues.
Geographic Information Science: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Spring 2019, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
See departmental information sheet for limitations. Supervised experience relative to specific aspects of landscape architecture. Regular individual meetings with faculty and outside sponsor. Reports required.
Field Study in Landscape Architecture: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Spring 2021, Spring 2020, Fall 2019
Enrollment restrictions apply.
Directed Group Study: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Fall 2015, Spring 2013
Enrollment restrictions apply.
Supervised Independent Study and Research: Read More [+]

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 [+]

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 [+]

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 [+]

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 [+]

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 [+]

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 [+]

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 [+]

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 [+]

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 [+]

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 [+]

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 [+]

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 [+]

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 [+]

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 [+]

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 [+]

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 [+]

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 [+]

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 [+]

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 [+]

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 [+]

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 [+]

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 [+]

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 [+]

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 [+]

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 [+]

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 [+]

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 [+]

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 [+]

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 [+]

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 [+]

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 [+]

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.

Applied Remote Sensing: Read More [+]

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 [+]

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013
Supervised experience on a research project in landscape architecture and/or environmental planning. Regular meetings with faculty sponsor required. See departmental sheet for other limitations.
Supervised Research in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning: Read More [+]

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 [+]

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 [+]

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 [+]

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 [+]

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Supervised teaching experience in undergraduate courses. Regular meetings with faculty sponsor. See departmental sheet for other limitations.
Supervised Teaching in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning: Read More [+]

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 [+]

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 [+]

Terms offered: Fall 2023
Professional courses for prospective teachers.
Supervised Teaching: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013
Individual study for final degree requirements in consultation with adviser.
Individual Study for Master's Students: Read More [+]

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 [+]