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Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture

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About the Landscape Architecture Program

Landscape architects with a strong grounding in natural processes who consider the human dimension can design transformative landscapes to impact daily lives.

Our nationally accredited curriculum prepares students for Landscape Architecture licensure. Positioned within the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, we have many avenues to examine the evolution of ideas shaping the interaction of people and place and to integrate scientific knowledge creatively in the designed landscape. Interdisciplinary first semester courses with environmental planning students provide a mutual foundation for both majors and promote collaboration between disciplines. Our Praxis Studios provide design inquiry choices: students select from ecological, open space, and community design options.

As a profession, we advocate for design that crosses scales and sees human and ecological systems as interconnected. This positions landscape architects as design leaders of interdisciplinary teams of planners, engineers, ecologists and social scientists who will explore solutions to the formidable problems of our time–climate change, demographic shifts, increasing income inequality, food scarcity, and the spread of global pandemics—and make our world more sustainable, viable, just, healthy, inclusive, and beautiful. A minor in Landscape Design, without accreditation, is also available.

View the sequence of courses.

View the transfer student sequence of courses.

Our Program’s Learning Goals

Explore . . . the potential of space and spatial relationships to create socially vibrant and culturally inclusive design solutions.

Analyze . . . and thoughtfully incorporate natural features and systems to create enduring and ecologically sensitive design solutions.

Understand . . . social, cultural, and behavioral factors in the historical development of designed and everyday landscapes to equitably shape our public realm.

Master . . . technical and industry standards to effectively and sustainability foster safe accessible environments using the materials, methods, and technologies of site design and engineering.

Apply . . . design principles at large as well as small scales.

Demonstrate . . . knowledge of the professional practice skills required for the Landscape Architecture Accreditation licensure exam and manifest sensitivity to issues of power.

Communicate . . . creatively with the public, communities, and policymakers in graphic, written, and verbal formats to advance social justice

Landscape Architecture (550) Major Requirements

No more than 1 course with a grade equal to D may be used from Landscape Architecture Courses in any requirements or conditions.

SEBS Core Curriculum Codes

Requirement V1: Biological Sciences

  • 01:119:103 Principles of Biology (4) or
  • 01:119:115 General Biology 1 (4)
    (Fulfills NS Core)

Requirement V2: Physical Science

(NS Core 3 credits, 1 course)

  • 01:450:101 Earth Systems (3) or
  • 01:460:100 Planet Earth (3) or
  • 01:460:101 Introductory Geology(4)
    (Fulfills NS Core)

Requirement V3: Quantitative Methods

(4 credits, 1 course)

  • 01:640:115 Pre-calculus College Math (4) or
  • 01:640:111 Pre-calculus I and 01:640:112 Pre-calculus II or 01:640:135, 01:640:139, 01:640:151

Requirement V4: Environmental Planning Sequence

(7 credits, 3 courses)

  • 11:573:231 Fundamentals of Environment Planning (3)
  • 11:573:232 Fundamentals of Environmental Geomatics (3)
  • 11:573:233 Geomatics Lab (1)

Requirement V5: Design Sequence

(33 credits, 7 courses)

  • Design Elective (3)
    • At least one 3 credit course from list on Degree Navigator
    • This graduation requirement can also be fulfilled with an approved internship with a green tech company or an approved Study Abroad experience
  • Design Studios
    • 11:550:231 Intro. to Environmental Design I Studio (5)
      (Fulfills AHr Core)
      Co‐requisite
      • 11:550:237 Landscape Drawing & Drafting
    • 11:550:232 Intro. to Environmental Design II Studio (5) SPN
      Prerequisite
      • 11:550:231 Intro. to Environmental Design I Studio (5)
    • 11:550:331 Environmental Planning Studio (5)
      (Fulfills EBE)
      Prerequisite
      • 11:573:232 Fundamentals of Environmental Geomatics
      • 11:573:233 Geomatics Lab
        (Fulfills ITR Core)
    • 11:550:332 Junior Praxis Studio (5) [SPN]
      (Fulfills EBE Core)
      Prerequisite
      • 11:550:331
    • 11:550:431 Advanced Landscape Architecture Studio (5)
      Prerequisites
      • 11:550: 332
      • 11:550: 342
    • 11:550:432 Senior Praxis Studio (5)
      Prerequisites
      • 11:550:431 or 550:333 Design Build Studio (5)
      • 11:550:341 Construction II or 550:443 Study Abroad Studio

Requirement V6: Visualization Sequence

(9 credits, 3 courses)

  • 11:550:237 Landscape Drawing & Drafting (3)
  • 11:550:345 2D Digital Design & Drafting (1.5)
    Prerequisite
    • 11:550:237
  • 11:550:347 2D Digital Design Communication (1.5)
    Prerequisite
    • 11:550:237
  • 11:550:350 3D Digital Design and Communication (3)
    Prerequisite
    • 11:550:345

Requirement V7: Construction Sequence

(13 credits, 4 courses)

  • 11:550:241 Construction 1: Site Engineering (4)
  • 11:550:341 Construction 2: Materials and Assemblies (4)
    Prerequisites
    • 11:550:241 Construction I
    • 01:640:115 Pre‐calculus College Math or
      01:640:111 Pre‐calculus I and 01:640:112 Pre‐calculus II
  • 11:550:441 Construction 3: Design Implementation and Practice (4)
    Prerequisites
    • 11:550:341 Construction II Materials
    • 1:640:111, 112 or 11:640:115
    • 11:550:435 Professional Practice (1)

Requirement V8: Plants/Ecology Sequence

(14 credits, 4 courses)

  • 11:550:233 Landscape Plants I (3)
  • 11:550:340 Planting Design (4)
    Prerequisite
    • 11:550:233 Landscape Plants I
    • 11:550:231 Intro. to Env. Design I Studio (5)
  • 11:704:332 Plant Ecology (4) or 11:216:101 Introduction to Ecology and Evolution (3)
    Prerequisite
    • 01:119:103 Principles of Biology (only for Plant Ecology)
  • Plants/Ecology Elective (3)

Requirement V9: History/Theory Sequence

(6 credits, 2 courses)

  • 11:550:250 History of Landscape Architecture (3)
  • History/Theory Elective (3)

Requirement V10: Senior Survey

(0 credits, 1 course)

  • 11:550:499 Senior Survey (0)

Rev 11-2021

Program Director

Holly Nelson
848-932-9315
Blake Hall, Rm. 116
Holly.Nelson@rutgers.edu

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