Landscape Architecture < North Carolina State University (2024)

LAR500Landscape Design Studio(6 credit hours)

Application of information and skills developed in course work to environmental design problems. Process of site selection, activity programming, site planning and program evaluation followed employing creation of interactive communication systems between designer, clients and users. Goals include design of satisfying new landscapes as well as conservation and design strategies for existing culturally important landscapes and townscapes.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

LAR501Landscape Architecture Introduction Design Studio(6 credit hours)

Introduction to landscape architectural design thinking processes and applications that include: site analysis, post occupancy user studies, programming, site planning, graphic representation (drawing, model making, digital graphics), verbal communication, and criticism and reflection.

Typically offered in Fall only

LAR502Site Design and Environmental Planning Studio(6 credit hours)

Strategies, principles, and methods for designing and evaluating resilient ways and means to fit an intensive development program(s) on environmentally challenging, regionally specific sites. This design studio is integrally linked with courses LAR527- Landform, Grading and Environmental Site Systems and LAR520- Environment and Culture.

Typically offered in Spring only

LAR503Landscape Architecture Design Development & Construction Documentation Studio(6 credit hours)

Site planning design refinement from conceptual schematic design through to the preparation of technical landscape architectural construction plans and details.

Prerequisite: LAR501 and LAR502 or permission of Department Head of DGP.

Typically offered in Fall only

LAR504Landscape Architecture International Design Studio(6 credit hours)

Application of design thinking processes in landscape architectural design situations resident within a host international urban venue. This is a studio course for Landscape Architecture students studying abroad.

Typically offered in Fall only

LAR505Landscape Architecture Final Project Studio(6 credit hours)

Individual semester long projects demonstrating capabilities in a full range of design and production skills.

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

LAR506Landscape Architecture Design + Build Studio(6 credit hours)

Design and construction implementation of sustainable construction practices for a low impact landscape system installation that responds to degraded environmental conditions.

Typically offered in Spring only

LAR507Advanced Topics Studio in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning(6 credit hours)

Advanced engagement, emphasizing research, development and application of experimental and best practices, on current and emerging landscape architectural and environmental planning topics of increased complexity. Advanced Topics Studios in LA and Env Plng integrate, apply, and reinforce materials including history and theory, site works, modeling and representation, research methods, environmental analysis, and professional practice delivered in LAR subject area courses.

Prerequisite: LAR502 or department head or DGP consent.

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

LAR508Landscape Architecture Design Research Project(6 credit hours)

Independent research in a specific area of landscape architectural design with the requirement that the research be integrated and applied within a landscape architectural design context; provides opportunities for a student or team of students (up to 4 people) to engage in independent inquiry leading to the completion of a definitive scholarly, research-oriented landscape architectural design project. Requires consent of department head or DGP.

Prerequisite: LAR507 and LAR 541 and LAR697 or department head consent.

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

LAR509Landscape Architecture Design Fundamentals(3 credit hours)

Introduction to the language, topics, and processes associated with landscape architectural design and the means used to envision and transform ideas into physical form in the landscape.

Typically offered in Summer only

LAR510Introduction to Landscape Architectural Drawing Applications(3 credit hours)

Introduction to fundamental drawing principles and methods utilized in landscape architectural design and representation applications. Topics covered include: freehand sketching, field observation diagrams and sketches, freehand and constructed perspectives, plan and section view drawings, shade and shadow, color, design process drawings, and presentation layout.

Typically offered in Summer only

LAR513Landscape Architecture Digital Media 1(3 credit hours)

Introduction to the principles and practices related to the use of 2D and 3D digital media in landscape architectural design representation and communication applications.

Typically offered in Summer only

LAR514Landscape Architecture Digital Design Media 2(3 credit hours)

Digital modeling and representation methods, applications and production using two and three-dimensional digital design media; this course is integrally linked with LAR501, Landscape Architecture Introduction Design Studio.

Prerequisite: LAR513 or instructor or department head, or DGP consent

Typically offered in Fall only

LAR515Advanced Landscape Architecture Digital Design Media(3 credit hours)

Advanced digital media tools and techniques to create and refine routines used in landscape architectural modeling and representation applications.

Prerequisite: LAR513 and LAR514 or consent of Department Head or DGP.

Typically offered in Fall only

LAR517/GIS517GIS Applications in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning(3 credit hours)

Introduction to the methods and applications of geographic spatial modeling technology in landscape architecture and environmental planning.

Typically offered in Fall only

LAR520Environment and Culture(3 credit hours)

An integrative approach to human and natural systems, specifically the dynamic social and ecological forces that act upon, modify, and give meaning to landscapes.

Typically offered in Fall only

LAR521Values, Theory and Methods of Landscape Architecture(3 credit hours)

Radical change in profession of landscape architecture in the past decade. New and emerging roles for landscape architect include regional analysis, landscape assessment, land development, urban planning, recreation planning, etc. Development of core values and theories from which each emerged and survey of the techniques and methods of their development.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Fall only

LAR523Landscape Architecture Plant Identification(2 credit hours)

Introduction to the vocabulary and methods necessary to identify ornamental and native plants in the built and natural landscape. The course is structured around the understanding of the taxonomic tools necessary to identify plants.

Typically offered in Summer only

LAR524Planting Design Applications in Landscape Architecture(2 credit hours)

Introduction to theories, practices, and implications associated with the diverse uses of plants in landscape architectural design applications considerate of functional, ecologic, aesthetic, economic, maintenance, health, safety, welfare, and other factors.

Prerequisite: LAR501 and LAR502 or permission of Department Head of DGP.

Typically offered in Summer only

LAR525Landscape Architecture Field Studies(3 credit hours)

On-site observation and assessment of constructed landscape architectural projects focused on historic and contemporary design practices that promote environmental health, safety, wellbeing, and beauty through industry defined practices.

Typically offered in Fall only

LAR527Landform, Grading, and Environmental Site Systems(3 credit hours)

Introduction to landform representation, grading, environmental site systems, and best practices required in landscape architectural site design and environmental planning applications.

Prerequisite: LAR501 or consent of instructor or department head or DGP.

Typically offered in Spring only

LAR528Landscape Architecture Construction Materials and Methods(3 credit hours)

Introduction to landscape architectural construction materials, methods, documentation, and implementation practices including best professional practices, and current and emerging technologies.

Prerequisite: LAR501 and LAR502 and LAR527 or permission of department head or DGP.

Typically offered in Fall only

LAR534Landscape Architecture Theory and Criticism(3 credit hours)

Introduction to the pervasive principles, concepts, movements, and applications influencing landscape architectural planning and design.

Typically offered in Fall only

LAR535Environmental Social Equity and Design(3 credit hours)

Principles of environmental justice and social equity in the context of design and community engagement; focus on the trends affecting environmental and human health in the built environment.

Typically offered in Spring only

LAR540Research Methods in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning(3 credit hours)

An overview of the role of research in landscape architecture and environmental planning with introductions to systematic inquiry that help to understand the complex relationships between people and their environment. The course explores different tools and approaches for answering research questions and translating research findings into usable strategies and environmental design solutions.

Typically offered in Spring only

LAR542Human Use of the Urban Landscape(3 credit hours)

Urban environment-behavior field research methods at site planning scale (behavior and cognitive mapping, interview and survey methods, archival research), suitable for application in practice. Methods of integrating user needs into design programming using participatory approaches. Evidence-based design applied to residential neighborhood, health, education, and recreation settings. Research activities conducted in small groups. No required texts. Overnight, weekend field trip at student expense.

R: Masters students at NCSU, UNC-CH, or Duke University. Upper level undergraduate students are allowed with permission of the instructor.

Typically offered in Spring only

LAR543Landscape Performance and Metrics(3 credit hours)

Concepts, tools and methods, and research to measure and integrate considerations of landscape performance including environmental, economic/life cycle, management, social, and aesthetic factors in landscape architectural applications.

Typically offered in Spring only

LAR544Contemporary Issues in Landscape Preservation(3 credit hours)

An examination of how local governments organize themselves to deal with the conservation and protection of areas of acknowledged cultural value or scenic/aesthetic character as well as the respective roles of federal, state, and local governments in these efforts. Particular attention will be given to understanding the recent past in preservation efforts.

Typically offered in Fall only

LAR545City Planning and Design - Building Great Communities(3 credit hours)

This course explores the history and heritage of city planning and design in an ever-urbanizing world, the legal underpinning and practice of the tools of planning in the US - comprehensive planning, zoning, infrastructure planning and design guidelines, environmental and social challenges for an urban planet, and the procurement of planning and design services, both from the perspective of the hiring entity as well as from that of the consultant.

Typically offered in Spring only

LAR546The Landscape Imperative(3 credit hours)

Exposure to the complex interrelationships of demographics, resource stewardship and land development in terms of the issues, questions, challenges and opportunities for landscape architects and urban designers.

Typically offered in Spring only

LAR547Greenway Planning and Design(3 credit hours)

Exposure to complex interrelationships in the planning, design, development and operations of greenway corridors and systems, including natural systems evaluation, community planning, public engagement, preparation of construction documents, construction administration, business practices, regulatory issues, legal framework, programming and funding.

Typically offered in Fall only

LAR550Landscape Architecture Professional Practice(3 credit hours)

Exposure to the range of practice opportunities in landscape architecture with an overview of career opportunities in the public (Federal, State, and Local) and private sectors as well as in non-traditional and emerging roles.

Typically offered in Spring only

LAR552Survey of Natural Hazards and Disasters(3 credit hours)

This survey course provides a graduate level introduction to the broad fields of study associated with natural hazards and disasters. Emphasis is placed on gaining an understanding of the defining characteristics of natural hazards and how their effects on human settlements can lead to a series of issues that help us understand what defines a disaster. This course introduces students to a range of topics including meteorology, geology, hydrology, engineering and building performance, policy making, planning, and sociology, among other disciplines. The course is framed using concepts of sustainable development and disaster resilience, including those pre- and post-disaster conditions and actions that enhance or hinder these aims. Emphasis is placed on the use of case studies of past disasters to help students understand the physical characteristics of natural hazards and how individual, community, state, regional, national and international actions led to the event becoming a disaster.

Typically offered in Fall only

LAR554Disaster Resilient Policy, Engineering and Design(3 credit hours)

This course addresses the interdisciplinary (policy, engineering and design) study and practice of disaster resilience. Emphasis is placed on the critical review of existing policies, programs and approaches taken that have led to increased levels of exposure to natural hazards, growing levels of social vulnerability and exponentially rising disaster losses. In an era of climate change, these issues are explored relative to the need to enhance adaptive capacity through sound policy, engineering and design. Class lectures, readings and student/faculty discussions help to advance each student's knowledge of the subject matter and provide relevant background information to inform interdisciplinary class projects.

No prerequisites for graduate students. Undergraduate students may petition to take this graduate course. Preference given to graduate students pursuing the proposed graduate certificate titled Disaster Resilient Policy, Engineering and Design

Typically offered in Spring only

LAR565International Landscape Architecture Design Studio(6 credit hours)

Landscape architectural problems and design solution in international setting. Exercises and projects related to design, culture and physical environment of host country. Focus on landscape architecture, gardens and urbanism through sketching and documentation, discussion, site investigation, historical context, current design examples and design applications.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing the College of Design and approval of the International Study Abroad Office

Typically offered in Fall only

LAR582Special Topics In Landscape Architecture(1-6 credit hours)

Topics of current interest to programs in School of Design offered by faculty in the School. Subjects offered under this number are normally used to test and develop new courses.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

LAR607Natural Hazards, Disasters and Climate Change Adaptation Lecture Series(1 credit hours)

Invited practitioners and scholars will discuss a range of contemporary topics (bi-weekly) tied to natural hazards, disasters and climate change adaptation, including research findings, experience in practice, and the translation of knowledge to action. Speakers are drawn from federal, state, and local jurisdictions; scholars from pertinent fields of study, including physical and social scientists; private sector representatives, including corporations, insurance officials, developers, and consultants; members of the media; politicians; environmental and social justice advocates; community leaders; members of various professional associations; and others as identified. Emphasis will be placed on the role of design, broadly defined, to enhance resilience to slow- and rapid onset natural hazards and disasters, including those caused or exacerbated by a changing climate. Preference will be given for students pursuing the graduate certificate Disaster Resilient Policy, Engineering and Design once approved. Undergraduates may petition to take course.

P: Graduate Standing

Typically offered in Spring only

LAR630Independent Study(1-3 credit hours)

Special problems in various aspects of design developed under direction of a faculty member on a tutorial basis.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

LAR650Internship in Landscape Architecture(3 credit hours)

Supervised field experience in a professional landscape architecture office, related design office, or governmental agency.

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

LAR685Master's Supervised Teaching(1-3 credit hours)

Teaching experience under the mentorship of faculty who assist the student in planning for the teaching assignment, observe and provide feedback to the student during the teaching assignment, and evaluate the student upon completion of the assignment.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

LAR688Non-Thesis Masters Continuous Registration - Half Time Registration(1 credit hours)

For students in non-thesis master's programs who have completed all credit hour requirements for their degree but need to maintain half-time continuous registration to complete incomplete grades, projects, final master's exam, etc.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

LAR689Non-Thesis Master Continuous Registration - Full Time Registration(3 credit hours)

For students in non-thesis master's programs who have completed all credit hour requirements for their degree but need to maintain full-time continuous registration to complete incomplete grades, projects, final master's exam, etc. Students may register for this course a maximum of one semester.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

LAR690Master's Examination(1-9 credit hours)

For students in non thesis master's programs who have completed all other requirements of the degree except preparing for and taking the final master's exam.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

LAR696Summer Thesis Res(1 credit hours)

LAR697Design Research Project Independent Study(3 credit hours)

Advanced Independent study under taken by 1-4 students leading to the preparation of the Project Proposal, as a prerequisite for undertaking LAR508-Design Research Project. (Permission to proceed with LAR697 requires approval by department head or DGP and faculty mentor.)

Prerequisite: LAR540 or approval from Department Head or DGP.

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

LAR896Summer Dissert Res(1 credit hours)