Bachelor of Landscape Architecture

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Program Learning Objectives

  1. Integrate natural and cultural systems in projects at multiple scales.
  2. Incorporate sustainable practices throughout the design, planning and implementation process.
  3. Comprehend and demonstrate the relationships among analysis, concept development, design development, and implementation.
  4. Apply critical thinking and analytical problem solving throughout planning, design and implementation.
  5. Demonstrate knowledge of theory, history and contemporary practices of landscape architecture.
  6. Apply professional communication skills including written, oral, graphic and digital formats.
  7. Identify the role of landscape architects in professional interdisciplinary settings.
  8. Apply technical skills in site engineering, material explorations and detailing, construction documents, plant materials, and planting design.
  9. Apply professional standards, ethics and practices in the field of landscape architecture.
  10. Integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into landscape architecture related projects.

Degree Requirements and Curriculum

In addition to the program requirements listed on this page, students must also satisfy requirements outlined in more detail in the Minimum Requirements for Graduation section of this catalog, including:

  • 60 units of upper-division courses
  • 2.0 GPA
  • Graduation Writing Requirement (GWR)
  • U.S. Cultural Pluralism (USCP)

Note: No Major or Support courses may be selected as credit/no credit.

MAJOR COURSES
LA 101Introduction to Landscape Architecture4
LA 170Principles of Design Communication4
LA 171Principles of Digital Communication4
LA 202Design Fundamentals I4
LA 203Design Fundamentals II4
LA 204Design Fundamentals III4
LA 211History of Landscape Architecture: Ancient Civilizations through Colonial America (C1) 14
LA 212History of Modern and Contemporary Landscape Architecture (GE Electives) 14
LA 220Landscape Ecology: Concepts, Issues, and Interrelationships4
LA 221California Plants and Plant Communities4
or PLSC 381 Native Plants for California Landscapes
LA 241Site Engineering Techniques and Applications4
LA 242Implementation Strategies4
LA 243Materials and Techniques of Landscape Construction4
LA 320Design Theory for Landscape Architects4
LA 330Cultural Landscapes: People, Places and Ethical Decisions4
LA 349Advanced Planting Design4
LA 370Professional Practice4
LA 371Internship3
LA 401Research Project2
LA 402Design Theory and Exploration Focus Studio4
LA 403Natural Environments Design Focus Studio4
LA 404Cultural Environments Design Focus Studio4
LA 405Project Design and Implementation Focus Studio4
Select from the following:4
Design Theory and Exploration Focus Studio
Natural Environments Design Focus Studio
Cultural Environments Design Focus Studio
Project Design and Implementation Focus Studio
Interdisciplinary Design Studio
Integrated Learning Course (ILC) topics
Select from the following: 220
CAD and Digital Media Communications (ILC)
Landscape Ecology Applications (ILC)
Cultural Environments (ILC)
Project Design and Implementation (ILC)
Professional Practice (ILC)
Traditional and Digital Media Communications (ILC)
3D Digital Design Communications (ILC)
GIS Application to Design Projects (ILC)
Planting Design (ILC)
LA 461Senior Design Project Focus Studio (4,4)8
LA upper-division electives (300-500 level) 3,46
SUPPORT COURSES
BOT 121General Botany (B2 & B3) 14
or BIO 114 Plant Diversity and Ecology
CRP 212Introduction to Urban Planning4
EDES 123Principles of Environmental Design (E) 1,54
MATH 118Precalculus Algebra (B4) 14
MATH 119Precalculus Trigonometry (GE Electives) 14
PLSC 233Plant Materials I4
PLSC 234Plant Materials II4
Select from the following:8
Wildlife Conservation Biology
Landscape Irrigation
Introductory Soil Science
Introduction to Statistical Concepts and Methods
or STAT 218
 Applied Statistics for the Life Sciences
Professional Electives 48
GENERAL EDUCATION (GE)
(See GE program requirements below.)48
FREE ELECTIVES
Free Electives 60
Total units219

General Education (GE) Requirements

  • 72 units required, 24 of which are specified in Major and/or Support.
  • If any of the remaining 48 units is used to satisfy a Major or Support requirement, additional units of Free Electives may be needed to complete the total units required for the degree.
  • See the complete GE course listing.
  • A grade of C- or better is required in one course in each of the following GE Areas: A1 (Oral Communication), A2 (Written Communication), A3 (Critical Thinking), and B4 (Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning). 
Area AEnglish Language Communication and Critical Thinking
A1Oral Communication4
A2Written Communication4
A3Critical Thinking4
Area BScientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning
B1Physical Science4
B2Life Science (4 units in Support) 10
B3One lab taken with either a B1 or B2 course
B4Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (4 units in Support) 10
Upper-Division B4
Area CArts and Humanities
Lower-division courses in Area C must come from three different subject prefixes.
C1Arts: Arts, Cinema, Dance, Music, Theater (4 units in Major) 10
C2Humanities: Literature, Philosophy, Languages other than English4
Lower-Division C Elective - Select a course from either C1 or C24
Upper-Division C4
Area DSocial Sciences - Select courses in Area D from at least two different prefixes
D1American Institutions (Title 5, Section 40404 Requirement)4
D2Lower-Division D4
Upper-Division D4
Area ELifelong Learning and Self-Development
Lower-Division E (4 units in Support) 10
Area F Ethnic Studies
F Ethnic Studies4
GE Electives in Areas B, C, and D
Select courses from two different areas; may be lower-division or upper-division courses.
GE Electives (8 units in GE Electives fulfilled by 4 units in Major and 4 units in Support) 10
Total units48