- undergraduate studies
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The programs in landscape architecture
emphasize the making of outdoor spaces that are beautiful in their understanding
of human need and their ecological context. Planning and design are
seen as processes for understanding and resolving the complex interdependence
of the biophysical and cultural landscape.
We are located in a liberal arts university and within a professional
school with Departments of Architecture, Art History, Art, and Planning,
Public Policy, and Management and programs in Historic Preservation,
Interior Architecture and Arts and Administration. Students are encouraged
to become aware of the wealth of university offerings as an important
component of their education. Departmental requirements allow the individual
flexibility and time to pursue interests in areas both inside and outside
of the department. The departmental program, in content and spirit,
relates "professional" concerns and "liberal" education.
We strongly support a system of university "group requirements"
which expect that students get a fundamental exposure to courses in
social sciences, arts and letters, and sciences.
Within the curriculum, careful attention is paid to the variety and
breadth of design studio offerings. This is characterized by exposure
to problems of varying scale, scope, issues, subject matter, topical
interest, and locale. Students generally have options in studio choices
among problems, faculty and methods. Students are encouraged to experience
a range of problems, methods, and skill areas while developing abilities
in their own interests.
Within the first professional degree, there is an emphasis on the breadth
of the profession, exposing students to diverse problems and opportunities.
Our approach to landscape architectural education is characterized by
a concern for the connections between design and planning, theory and
practice, teachers and practitioners, art and technology, school and
the "real world," head and hand, large scale and small scale.
The curriculum is conceived as a combination of required and elective
courses and experiences. The program provides required and optional
sequences in: design studios; ecology; plants and planting design theory;
landscape technologies and professional practice; landscape planning
and analysis; landscape media; and history, literature and theory of
landscape architecture. There are also courses available in allied disciplines
including architecture, planning, geography, and the fine arts.
Towards these aims the education of landscape architects includes studies
about the land and its processes -- ecology, plants, climate, geology,
soils, hydrology; landscape technologies and construction practices;
landscape history, theory, and literature. These areas are integrated
in the study of design, a process of environmental understanding that
gives order and form to environmental transformations.
During the past decade, digital tools have become increasingly prevalent
within the profession of landscape architecture. Students and faculty
within the Department of Landscape Architecture use the computer labs
and facilities on campus; however, access to these facilities is sometimes
limited. The Department of Landscape Architecture therefore requires
that all students either purchase or have unlimited access to their
own personal computer. Contact the department office for details.
CURRICULUM STRUCTURE
The undergraduate curriculum is organized along two types of courses:
Planning and Design Program: This is a series of design studio
courses on the development and communication of solutions to site and
other environmental problems, especially through specific physical design
proposals. It is also concerned with the physical/spatial implications
of planning
policies and management policies and programs. Tutorially oriented studio
work is the integrative heart of the curriculum. Students generally
take a design studio each term.
Subjects Program: Five subject areas are included in our curriculum,
each of which is considered an essential part of the foundation to undertake
integrative work in the planning and design program. These areas include:
Landscape architectural technology and professional practice; plants;
history, literature and theory of landscape architecture; media and
communications and landscape planning and analysis. Courses are offered
in a core and option format which encourages students to participate
in the structuring of their education program. Students are encouraged
to explore other areas in elective coursework throughout the University.
HOW THE DEPARTMENT FUNCTIONS
The Department believes in the broadest possible participation by
all members of this community. While there are, by necessity and choice,
many decisions made by faculty, students share in the responsibility
for making decisions regarding numerous factors that affect the Department.
These include, for example: faculty hiring, lecture series, field trips,
new course offerings, and course sequencing. The Department has a number
of important meeting times that afford opportunities for participation
by students and faculty. These include:
o Start of Term Meeting (everyone attends) - first studio meeting time.
o Department Meetings - 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Wednesday - 12:00-1:00 p.m.
(open)
o Faculty Meetings - 1st Wednesday of the month (faculty only)
o End of Term Meetings (faculty only)
o Pre-Term Planning Meetings (faculty only)
STUDIO PREFERENCING
Students may preference design studios (usually a choice between
two options). The Department Head supervises the division of students
into studios (typically a maximum of 15). First choices are guaranteed
at least once per year, although in practice students usually receive
their first choice. Prior to registration each term, students must complete
a preference sheet and return it to the Department office.
REVIEW WEEK
During Review Week (the week before Exams, also known as Dead Week),
Architecture and Landscape Architecture classes are cancelled so that
studio classes and Master's Project Presentations can be scheduled for
final reviews. This is an important and informative tradition in AAA
because it gives all students and faculty the opportunity to view and
discuss all the work done during the term.
FACULTY ADVISING
All students entering the Department are assigned to a faculty member
who acts as advisor for the duration of each student's period of study
(students may change advisors at some future date if they desire). The
primary role of the advisor is to provide advice and counseling on academic
and departmental matters, including helping advisees prepare a program
of study which satisfies Departmental and university requirements for
graduation. Advising begins prior to registration. At this time the
advisor is available at specified times (times are usually posted on
the advisor's office door) to assist the student in course selection
and registration.
The primary role of the student is to keep the Advisor informed about
matters concerning the student's progress in the Department. This may
include personal matters such as finances, health problems, etc. if
these interfere with satisfactory progress in the Department. Advisors
need to be informed about these matters so that they can act effectively
as advocates for advisees should it be necessary. The time spent with
a faculty advisor is left to the student's discretion. The student is
expected to take the initiative in arranging such meetings as he or
she requires them. However, on occasion, the faculty advisor may request
meetings with the student. Consultation with an advisor is required
prior to registering during the first term of residency.
The student-faculty advisor relationship is viewed as confidential so
that both parties can feel free to be honest and candid in their discussions.
APPLICATION FOR ADVANCED STANDING IN A REQUIRED COURSE (WAIVERS)
Students wishing to apply for advanced standing (forms are available
in the Department office) in required Department courses must make a
written submission to the course instructor which provides evidence
that the student has fulfilled the objectives of the course, either
through courses previously taken or through work experience. Students
must obtain written approval from the course instructor before advanced
standing can be granted.
SATISFACTORY PROGRESS IN THE DEPARTMENT
At the conclusion of Spring Term, the faculty conduct a review of
each student's overall progress in the Department. If a student, in
the opinion of faculty members, is not making satisfactory academic
progress, the student will either be invited to a counseling session
with the Department Head and advisor or will be advised in writing about
the Department's concerns with regard to the student's work.
The following aspects of a student's record constitute grounds either
for the Department's requiring the student to withdraw from the Department
or for refusing her or him the right to advance into any year or session
of the program:
i) Failing grades: see University Calendar for regulations governing
good academic standing
ii) Two marginal passes in studio courses in one year.
iii) Overall marginal grades over the course of three years, which indicate
lack of general educational attainment.
iv) Failure to take sufficient credits towards a degree
v) Failure to make satisfactory progress in the Master's Project.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
The Department has a number of competitive scholarships. Applications
for these scholarships are considered each Spring for the following
year.
Click
here for more detailed scholarship information
