Major in Landscape Architecture
Program Overview
Major in Landscape Architecture
The Major in Landscape Architecture at Colorado State University (CSU) is a challenging and rewarding course of study that prepares students for careers in a field with enormous potential. Landscape architects lead the stewardship, planning, and design of built and natural environments, and the program at CSU emphasizes the relationship between design, nature, and society.
Program Description
Landscape Architecture students study design as accomplished landscape architects see it: shaping spaces as well as planning and preserving them. The program is accredited by the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board of the American Society of Landscape Architects, and registration laws for landscape architects in 49 states encourage graduation from programs such as that offered at CSU.
Learning Objectives
The program has six learning objectives:
- Design Process and Methodology: Formulate a range of approaches to analyze and evaluate landscapes to develop material, spatial, and temporal landscape compositions, site-specific design solutions, and other creative responses grounded in the natural, physical, and social sciences that address aesthetic, environmental, and social issues and goals.
- History and Theory: Demonstrate a critical understanding of, and application of, the histories, theories, and practices of landscape architecture and environmental planning, and their role in reflecting and shaping culture and environments regionally, nationally, and globally.
- Systems, Processes, and Resilience (Natural and Cultural): Demonstrate an understanding of ecological systems, economic systems, and diverse human cultures in a global context to make thoughtful decisions regarding environmental resilience, human health, and overall well-being.
- Communication and Representation: Listen, speak, write, create, and employ appropriate traditional and digital representational tools and technology to convey ideas to a variety of audiences.
- Construction, Materials, and Methods: Demonstrate a critical understanding of material selection, methods of assembly, and landscape architecture practices necessary to translate conceptual ideas into construction documents.
- Professionalism and Professional Practice: Demonstrate professionalism and an understanding of the legal and ethical responsibilities and role of landscape architects to safeguard human health, safety, and public welfare through the practice of landscape architecture.
Potential Occupations
Many types of organizations and individuals hire landscape architects, including real estate development firms, municipalities, government agencies, and private practices. Some examples of potential occupations include:
- Design consultant
- Private practice business
- Construction supervisor
- Land or environmental planner
- Urban designer
- Historic preservationist
- Golf course architect
- Resort planner
Curriculum
The program requires 125 credits and includes a variety of courses, such as:
- Introduction to Landscape Architecture
- History of the Designed Landscape
- Drawing the Landscape
- Fundamentals of Landscape Design Process
- Environmental Analysis
- Geospatial Methods for Landscape Architecture
- Basic Landscape Design and Construction
- Digital Methods
- Form and Expression in Garden Design
- Advanced Landscape Site Engineering
- Landscape Ecology
- Urban Design
- Comprehensive Landscape Design
- Professional Practice
Course Sequence
The program is typically completed in nine semesters, with the following course sequence:
- Semester 1: Introduction to Landscape Architecture, Drawing the Landscape, and other foundational courses
- Semester 2: History of the Designed Landscape, Fundamentals of Landscape Design Process, and other core courses
- Semester 3: Geospatial Methods for Landscape Architecture, Basic Landscape Design and Construction, and other technical courses
- Semester 4: Digital Methods, Form and Expression in Garden Design, and other creative courses
- Semester 5: Summer travel courses or electives
- Semester 6: Design and Nature, Landscape Contract Drawing and Specifications, and other professional courses
- Semester 7: Landscape Design Expression, Landscape Ecology, and other advanced courses
- Semester 8: Urban Design, Comprehensive Landscape Design, and other capstone courses
- Semester 9: Professional Practice, Landscape Irrigation and Water Conservation, and other final courses
Program Total Credits
The program requires a total of 125 credits, with a combination of core courses, technical courses, creative courses, and electives. The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in landscape architecture, preparing them for a variety of careers in the field.