Academic Programs > Information for Prospective Students > Landscape Architecture
Landscape Architecture major
Landscape Architecture
MajorLandscape |
Landscape architecture combines a love of people, nature, art, and hard work.
Landscape architecture, an environmental profession and discipline, encompasses the analysis, planning, design, management, and stewardship of the natural and built environments. Types of projects include: residential; parks and recreation; monuments; urban design; streetscapes and public spaces; transportation corridors and facilities; gardens and arboreta; security design; hospitality and resorts; institutional; academic campuses; therapeutic gardens; historic preservation; 
ecological design and restoration; reclamation; conservation planning; landscape art and earth sculpture; interior landscapes; and more.
Landscape architecture is one of the most diversified of the design professions. Landscape architects design the built environment of neighborhoods, towns and cities while also protecting and managing the natural environment, from its forests and fields to rivers and coasts. Members of the profession have a special commitment to improving the quality of life through the best design of places for people and other living things.
In fact, the work of landscape architects surrounds us. Members of the profession are involved in the planning of such sites as office plazas, public squares and thoroughfares. The attractiveness of parks, highways, housing developments, urban plazas, zoos and campuses reflects the skill of landscape architects in planning and designing the construction of useful and pleasing projects.
FictionLandscape architects Fact Using their knowledge |
Want more options? The agricultural sciences and technology major encompasses the broad aspects of agriculture including economics, education, engineering, animal sciences, field crops, horticulture, pest management and soils. A new dual major program also prepares students to teach agricultural science at the high school level.
Digital Edge
Each landscape architecture student in the program’s second, third and fourth-year studio classes has 
24-hour access to his or her own computer workstation and drafting table inside the Plant Sciences Building. The stations are equipped with a variety of software programs and wireless Internet access, and every one is connected to shared plotters, printers, and scanners. This technology-rich environment enables the college to explore new and rapidly changing areas in landscape architectural education as well as emerging technology expected to have a lasting home in our field.
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
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.
Four-year plan
Click here for a sample four-year plan.
ShareThisFor more information, contact Elizabeth Weiss
Last updated: 03/10/2011
Maryland State Fair 2012 Youth Employees - Due July 15th
It is that time again! The Maryland State Fair will be coming up and we are looking for 4-H youth who would like to work at the State Fair. This opportunity is open to senior 4-Hers. Visit our website at http://www.maryland4h.org/What%20New.cfm for the application materials due back to Linda Walsh by July 15th.
See you at the Fair! - posted May 15, 2012
Maryland 4-H Scholarships
Don't forget! Maryland 4-H Scholarship Applications are due June 1, 2012! - posted May 15, 2012
Diamond Clover Revisions
Our Revised Diamond Clover Guidelines are posted on our website in the “Youth and Families” section under “Awards & Recognition”. These revisions will apply to all 2013 Diamond Clover Proposals – note the due date for 2013 Proposals at the State 4-H Office is September 15th – and for future years – remember the September 15th due date at the State Office level. Youth should check for local turnaround times with their 4-H Educators. NOTE: since the Diamond Clover Guideline have just been revised – we do not want to deter any current plans or projects – so, we will accept any proposals approved at the county/city level for this year, so send any that you have gotten approved on the county/city level to the State 4-H Office – THEN for 2013 we will start with the September 15th Deadline. - posted May 15, 2012
