The 34-point program is composed of 11 courses and an internship.

• Core curriculum: four studio courses (16 points)
• History and theory of gardening and landscape design: one course (3 points)
• Plant materials: three courses (6 points)
• Technical courses (drafting and graphic representation; grading and drainage; landscape construction and site details): three courses (6 points)
• Supervised internship (taken immediately prior to the last term of study): one course (3 points)

Foundation Courses

In their first term, students enroll in two courses, one comprehensive survey and one studio course, that form the foundation for further study:

• LAND K4200 History and Theory of Gardening and Landscape Design
• LAND K4210 Graphics and Landform Modeling

Studio Courses

The first three studios are devoted to specific themes: analysis and schematic design, design development, and planning and design of landscapes. In the fourth studio students design either a residential garden or public sector space. Real sites are used with realistic programs. In Advanced Planting Design, students achieve a deeper understanding of how plant materials inform and inflect their designs developed in Studio IV.

• LAND K4404 Landscape Design Studio I: Site Analysis and Schematic Design
• LAND K4405 Landscape Design Studio II: Design Development
• LAND K4406 Landscape Design Studio III: Planning and Design of Landscapes
• LAND K4407 Landscape Design Studio IV: Residential and Smaller Scale Design
• LAND K4220 Advanced Planting Design Studio

Plant Materials and Technical Courses

Conducted almost entirely in the field, the plant material courses allow students to develop an increasingly extensive plant vocabulary. In these classes, students develop an understanding of plant characteristics and maintenance requirements, as well as a sense of how best to incorporate plants into landscape designs.

The technical courses introduce students to the plastic qualities of landscapes, train them to read topographical maps, and give in-depth instruction on site grading, drainage, and landscape construction.

• LAND K4102 Plant Materials: Woody Trees and Shrubs I
• LAND K4112 Landscape Technology: Site Grading and Drainage
• LAND K4103 Plant Materials: Woody Trees and Shrubs II
• LAND K4113 Landscape Technology: Construction and Site Details

Internship

In consultation with and the approval of the program director, students secure internships, serving either as apprentices in professional landscape design firms or completing a practicum in a privately owned garden. Internships may be arranged locally or anywhere in the world. The minimum time commitment is 80 hours.

• LAND K4215 Internship

Note: Program content is regularly reviewed and revised to maintain currency.

The University reserves the right to withdraw or modify the courses of instruction or to change the instructors as may become necessary.