Landscape Architecture 550

11:550:101 Landscape Studies (3) This course introduces the idea of landscape as a cultural phenomenon that represents how society views nature and the built world and how this changes over time. We study how people interact with their environment to create meaning that is often unconscious or assumed. It is about the shaping of our everyday landscape, both as a nation and in our daily routine. Field trips required.

11:550:133 Architectural Design (3) Concepts of architectural and urban design process, systems, and practice. Built environments in relation to human functions, perception, and needs. Space and form design and sketch studies. One 80-min. lec., lab. 3 hrs. Additional field trips by arrangement.

11:550:221 Introduction to Site Design (3) This course is an introduction to design, as it applies to small sites, such as residential and retail sites. Basic composition and design principles, such as symmetry and color theory, will be introduced through design problems. Design process, functional diagrams, and design graphics will be applied in landscape design assignments.

11:550:230 Environmental Design Analysis (3) Explores the meanings, values, and processes that shape our everyday environments and what it means to enable more sustainable solutions.  Design, by its very nature, is multidisciplinary, incorporating the creative arts, social science, environmental science, political science, and other perspectives. Sustainability--both ecological and social--involves not only understanding environmental conditions but also the necessary social engagement to encourage better practices and stewardship. Environmental and social justice are central to accessing resources, enabling choice, and enabling civic activism.

11:550:231 Introduction to Environmental Design I (5) Design fundamentals and creativity through design process; application to fundamental landscape architecture at small-site scale. Graphic skills and techniques. Impact of environmental design on people and nature. Two 80-min. lecs. Studio 6 hrs.  Not open to first-year students. Prerequisite: Permission of department. Corequisite: 11:550:237. Visualization I

11:550:232 Introduction to Environmental Design II (5) Refinement of design process and graphic skills, including perspective and paraline drawing, through projects of increasing complexity and magnitude. Site planning, principles of auto and pedestrian circulation, behavioral aspects of design, basic landform manipulation. Two 80-min lecs. Studio 6 hrs. Prerequisite: 11:550:231.

11:550:233-234 Landscape Plants I,II (3,3) Identification, environmental requirements, and landscape assets and liabilities of ornamental plants. First semester: fall aspects of deciduous trees and shrubs. Second semester: the broadleaf and narrow-leaf evergreens and the spring aspects of deciduous trees and shrubs. One 80-min. lec., lab. 3 hrs. Additional field trips by arrangement.

11:550:235 Herbaceous Plants in the Landscape (3) Identification, uses, and care of herbaceous plants in private gardens and public spaces: annuals, herbaceous perennials, ornamental grasses, herbs, and plants for ponds and pools.  Additional field trips by arrangement.

11:550:237 Visualization I: Drawing and Drafting (3) An introduction to graphic techniques for representing the landscape, including free-hand sketching, perspective drawing, and drafting plans and sections. This course serves two purposes: it prepares students for landscape design coursework, and it provides an introduction to the art and craft of landscape representation.

11:550:238 Landscape Management and Maintenance (3) Maintenance and culture of landscape plantings.    Additional field trips by arrangement.

11:550:240 Public Garden Management (3) Offered as the accompanying colloquium to the Rutgers Gardens/Central Park summer internship program, this course provides an understanding of the planning and maintenance objectives of public gardens and parks. This will include an analysis of organizational structures and economic issues along with addressing management of plant materials in respect to safety and proper visitor experience.

11:550:241 Construction I: Mapping and Engineering (4) Site engineering principles; grading, drainage, earthwork, and road alignment; their integration with landscape architecture design. Lec./rec. 2 hrs., studio 3 hrs.

11:550:250 History of Landscape Architecture (3)   Historical analysis of landscape design theory and practice; design as a physical expression of environmental and cultural determinants.

11:550:296 Honors Seminar (3) The topic for each semester addresses current issues from the perspectives of the humanities, sciences, and social sciences. Open only to honors students (SEBS Honors Program, SAS Honors Program, and Honors College) or by permission of instructor. 

11:550:301 Social and Cultural Aspects of Design (3) Addresses the design and use of everyday environments as expressions of individual, community, and civic society. Topics include environment-behavior research, community-based design, and ethical debates related to inclusion, participation, diversity, and sustainability.  Students learn methods, such as observation, interviewing, and surveying, and then apply them as part of team and individual projects.

11:550:331 Environmental Planning Studio (5) Analysis and interpretation of the physical environment with emphasis on methodologies such as geographic information systems (GIS), suitability mapping, and visual resource management as applied to land planning, design, and management problems. Two 80-min. lecs. Studio 6 hrs. Prerequisites: 11:550:231, 11:573:233.

11:550:332 Junior Praxis Studio I (5) A vertical landscape architecture studio with projects of varied thematic content. Two 80-min. lecs. Studio 6 hrs. Prerequisites: 11:550:231 and SPN.

11:550:333 Design Build Studio (3) Development of a set of design strategies for a specific site or sites, given consideration to the community, context, and reuse of site materials that culminates in the construction of the proposed design. Likely includes community engagement and outreach. Prerequisite: 11:550:232.

11:550:338 Visualization 2A - Introduction to Digital Design and Presentation (1.5) Introduction to fundamental principles of graphic design and to Adobe Design CS, a suite of graphic design programs--software, techniques, and products appropriate for presenting conceptual illustrative graphics to sell ideas to clients and to other professionals. This course expands upon the drawing and drafting fundamentals acquired in Landscape Drawing 11:550:237. One 80-min. lec., lab. 3 hrs. This is a half-semester course. Prerequisite: 11:550:237.

11:550:339 Visualization 2B - Introduction to Digital Drafting (1.5) Introduction to AutoCAD, the industry standard for computer drafting, bridging landscape architecture, architecture, and engineering and allowing for a seamless exchange of ideas and output. Essential computer-aided design (CAD) tools for the landscape architect for effectively communicating with fellow professionals and clients. This course expands upon the drawing and drafting fundamentals acquired in Landscape Drawing 550:237. One 80-min. lec., lab. 3 hrs. This is a half-semester course. Prerequisite: 11:550:237.

11:550:340 Planting Design (4) Plants as design elements affecting function, comfort, energy efficiency, and aesthetic quality. Selection of plants to serve functional and aesthetic purposes. Specification for planting design. Two 80-min. lecs., studio 3 hrs. Prerequisites: 11:550:231 and 233.

11:550:341 Construction II: Materials and Engineering (4) Introduction to properties of construction materials, structural principles, and methods of construction. Lec. 3 hrs. Prerequisites: 11:550:241; 01:640:115 or 01:640:111; and 01:640:112.

11:550:350 Visualization III: CAD for Landscape Architects (3) Introduction to the use of computer-aided design (CAD) as a design and graphics tool in landscape architecture.  Lec. 2 hrs., lab. 3 hrs. Prerequisites: 11:550:339 and 01:640:111/112 or 01:640:115.

11:550:360 International Studies in Landscape Architecture (BA) An opportunity to study in a landscape architecture program abroad with which the department has established an articulated exchange agreement. Course equivalences will be determined upon completion of the program. Prerequisite: Special permission number.

11:550:371 Agriculture and the Landscape (3) Explores the relationships of the farmer to his or her land, and how these relationships alter the physical landscape at a variety of scales, accentuating the human scale.  The class often collaborates with local nonprofits in a service-learning context. Experiential learning, field trips, and a humanities-based lens provide the tools for reading the landscape. Additional field trips by arrangement.

11:550:430 Advanced Landscape History Seminar (3) History of gardens in Italy, France, England, or the United States from the Renaissance to the present. Emphasis on form and meaning of garden design and widespread influence of this genre. Prerequisite: 11:550:330 or permission of instructor.

11:550:431 Advanced Landscape Architecture I (5)   Advanced landscape architecture theory with application to problems of increasing scope and complexity. Social and cultural contexts, with emphasis on design sites for housing and community design. Two 80-min. lecs. Studio 6 hrs. Prerequisites: 11:550:332, 341, and SPN.

11:550:432 Senior Praxis Studio (5) A vertical landscape architecture studio with projects of varied thematic content. Two 80-min. lecs. Studio 6 hrs. Prerequisites: 11:550:331 and SPN.

11:550:435 Professional Practice (1) Survey of general professional practice, office management, client relationships, collaborative practice, contracts, and specifications. Lec. 1.5 hrs.

11:550:436 Landscape Enterprise (3) Understanding the business management side of the landscape profession (applicable to design firms, landscape construction, landscape maintenance, design build), especially for those interested in starting or owning their own company.  Topics include: general business practices; licenses, regulations, and best management practices and standards specific to the industry and green technology. 

11:550:437 Special Problems in Landscape Architecture (BA) Independent projects. Terminal comprehensive project, research of appropriate scope and complexity, or community involvement in environmental design problems. Open only to majors in the landscape architecture program; others by permission of instructor.

11:550:438 Material Tectonics (3) Approaches architecture as a material practice and investigates the evolution of computer aided design (CAD) technologies toward the generation of material effects. Prerequisite: 11:550:350.

11:550:439 Suburbia Transformed: Residential Design in the Age of Sustainability (3) Residential design in the age of sustainability explores how contemporary green strategies, tactics, and technologies can be employed in redesigning an existing small-scale suburban house and garden, thus contributing to the transformation of suburbia, one domestic property at a time. Prerequisite: 11:550:231 or permission of the instructor.

11:550:441 Construction III: Implementation and Practice (4) Introduction to the construction implementation process; development of technical competence; integration of sustainable design principles; communication through technical documentation. Additional topics related to professional practice. Two 80-min. lectures, studio 1-3 hrs. Prerequisites: 11:550:339 and 341.

11:550:442 Sustainable Landscape Technology (3) Integration of specific sustainable practices and technologies can prepare a site to function efficiently and sustainably in the design and construction of landscape architectural projects. Consideration includes siting of features, integration with existing site systems, design for energy/climate, and reuse of site materials. Prerequisite: 11:550:341.

00:550:443 Summer Studio Abroad (5) Landscape architecture relying on an international setting for case studies and field investigations of landscape planning, design, and management issues.
Prerequisite: Special permission number.

11:550:460 Field Study in Landscape Architecture (1-5 BA) Case study and field investigation of landscape planning, design, and management issues. Open only to landscape architecture majors; others with departmental permission.

11:550:461 Field Study in Landscape Architecture (3) Case study and field investigation of landscape planning, design, and management issues. Open only to landscape architecture majors; others with departmental permission.

11:550:480 Topology and Design (3) The term "topology" derives from the Greek words for "place," "space," and "study," "word," "sense". It comprises a theory of place (concept of "genius loci") and a method of presenting arguments in a discourse. As a design approach, topology advocates to pay attention to deeper spatial, physical, poetic and philosophical values in a long tradition of designed nature.

11:550:497 Senior Thesis Preparation (1) Development of independent research and comprehensive design project proposal, including literature review and research methodology, to be submitted to the departmental faculty for approval. Prerequisite: Departmental approval.

11:550:498 Senior Thesis in Landscape Architecture (4-5) Execution of the project proposed in 11:550:497. May not be used in conjunction with the George H. Cook Scholars Program or a cooperative education course. Prerequisites: 11:550:497 and departmental approval.

11:550:499 Landscape Architecture Senior Survey (0) Every senior majoring in landscape architecture must complete this 0-credit survey class in order to graduate. This senior survey is necessary for program accreditation and for students to be permitted to take the licensure examination. Registration by special permission. Graded P/NC.