BLA Curriculum

For both the BLA and MLA students take a series of lecture and studio design courses, beginning with an introduction to landscape design principles in the first year and culminating in an advanced research and studio design project in the graduating year. LAAB standards require that first-professional degree curricula must include the core knowledge skills and applications of landscape architecture: landscape architectural history, philosophy, theory, values, ethics, practice, planning, design, implementation, and management.

To meet LAAB standards, the Landscape Architecture Program curricula includes coverage of:

landscape architectural history and theory
natural and cultural systems
design theories, methodologies and applications
landscape planning and management at various scales and applications
site design and construction such as grading, drainage and circulation
communication in written, verbal and visual applications
plants and ecosystems at various scales and situations
construction materials, methods, technologies and applications
professional practice methods, values, and ethics
computing applications and other advanced technology.

Undergraduate Program top

Due to the sequential nature of the program, students are encouraged to enter at the first-year level, though transfer students are also encouraged to apply. This limited enrollment program (LEP) requires a minimum of 120 semester hours to attain the BLA degree. The undergraduate curriculum consists of major courses, the university's general education (CORE) requirements, and elective courses.

The following is our undergraduate curriculum for 2009-2010. Please see your advisor for the most updated requirements. For a paper version of our typical undergraduate curriculum please download the brochure: University of Maryland Landscape Architecture.

1st Semester - Fall Term
Course	Cr	Description/ Public Access Web	Faculty
LARC 120 LARC 160 ENGL 101 MATH 112 CORE	2 3 3 3 3	Digital Fundamentals Studio Introduction to Landscape Architecture Introduction to Writing College Algebra with Applic. and Trig CORE Requirement	Siri Sullivan/Siri
2nd Semester - Spring Term
LARC 140 LARC 160 PLSC100 CORE CORE	4 3 4 3 3	Graphic Fundamentals Studio Introduction to Landscape Architecture Introduction to Horticulture CORE Requirement CORE Requirement	Sullivan/Siri Sullivan/Siri Walsh
Summer		This is a great time to do an internship with a landscape architecture firm, design build company, or a plant nursery. There are great opportunities in the region. There are also some great non-profits to consider.
3rd Semester - Fall Term
LARC 141 LARC 263 PLSC253 CORE CORE	4 3 3 3 3	Design Fundamentals Studio History of Landscape Architecture Woody Plant Materials I CORE Requirement CORE Requirement	Anderson Duempelmann Petroff
LEP Review occurs at the end of the 3rd semester
4th Semester - Spring Term
LARC 221 LARC 240 PLSC 254 ENST 200 CORE	3 4 3 4 3	Digital Design Tools Graphic Communication & Design Studio Woody Plant Materials II Fundamentals of Soil Science CORE Requirement	Ison / Myers Giannetto Staff Weil
Summer		With design, CAD and plant skills now in your tool belt plan on doing an internship with a landscape architecture firm. There are also great opportunities nationally with groups like the National Park Service. How about Italy Study Abroad Program, also a great way to spend the summer.
5th Semester - Fall Term
LARC 340 LARC 320 GEOG 340 ENGL 393 CORE	5 3 3 3 3	Site Design Studio Principles of Site Engineering Geomorphology or other approved elective Technical Writing CORE Requirement	Nola Leonard
6th Semester - Spring Term
LARC 341 LARC 321 Elective Elective	5 3 3 3	GIS & Regional Design Studio Landscape Structures & Materials Elective Elective	Myers Nola
Summer		This is your last summer before graduating. If you have not had an internship in a Landscape Architecture office, this is the time to consider putting your upper level design experience and CAD and GIS skills to work. Also consider some of the national design internships. If you have already done a internship you might consider the England Study Abroad, Italy, or Sustainable Futures Program.
7th Semester - Fall Term
LARC 440 LARC 420 LARC 450 LARC 470	5 3 3 3	Urban Design Studio Professional Practice Environmental Resources Landscape Architecture Seminar	Duempelmann Nola Myers Fleming
8th Semester - Spring Term
LARC 471 LARC 389* Elective Elective	5 3 3 3	Capstone Studio Community Design Internship / Study Abroad Elective Elective	Fleming Cohen
		Internship LARC 389* is offered in the Fall Semester and can be taken any Fall of the student's career. Students complete job internship in the previous summer and then complete LARC 389* in the Fall. Internship should be approved by advisor.

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