Landscape Architecture, Bachelor of Science College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences

Department Office

Department of Human Ecology; 1303 Hart Hall; 530-752-1805; Landscape Architecture; Faculty

Landscape architecture is the planning and design of land areas where human use requires adaptation or conservation of the environment. Students who study landscape architecture are concerned about the welfare of the environment and the people who use and shape it. They are capable of solving physical problems and are able to visualize and think in terms of spaces and three-dimensional concepts. The program is fully accredited by the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board (LAAB) which is the only organization professionally sanctioned to grant landscape architectural accreditations in the United States. The program was last reviewed in 2018.

The Program

The curriculum balances creativity and visual and spatial skills with technological expertise and a thorough background in physical, natural, and social sciences. Students develop proficiency at problem solving relating to design of parks, public spaces, energy-efficient neighborhoods, land reclamation projects, city and regional planning, and landscape planning for wilderness and scenic regions, coastal and riparian environments, and other sensitive land areas. The program stresses a process-oriented approach to design and emphasizes environmental and community values.

Preparatory Requirements

Students are admitted to the Landscape Architecture major after submitting an application for review and selection by the faculty; students may be admitted as Pre-Landscape Architecture or other majors; see Application Process.

Career Alternatives

Graduates may find jobs in private landscape architectural firms or public agencies, non-profit organizations, and corporations employing landscape architects. The landscape architecture major provides the student with excellent preparation for graduate school or career development in a wide range of environmental and design-related fields.

Graduate Study

Graduate-level landscape architecture courses are available to students pursuing graduate programs compatible with or directed toward landscape management, planning, and design issues. A Graduate Academic Certificate in Landscape Architecture & Environmental Design is an option for any graduate student; see Graduate Academic Certificates. Program faculty are active members of various graduate groups: Community Development, Geography, Transportation Technology & Policy, and Ecology. Faculty members have expertise in many areas, including landscape history, social theory, practice of public space design, historic landscape preservation, city and regional planning, community participation in urban landscape design, landscape ecology, conservation planning, resource management, bioregionalism, and regenerative landscape systems. Graduate students pursue more focused interests, expanding their professional expertise and/or conducting advanced research in landscape architecture correlated disciplines.

Advising Center

Jana Krezo (Snjezana J Krezo); 530-752-9322; Galyna Erdman (Galyna Erdman); 530-752-2244; Jenniie Nguyen (Jennifer Nguyen); 530-752-4113;

Lead Faculty Advisor. N. Claire Napawan

Preparatory Subject Matter
English Writing
Choose one:4
Also counts toward English Composition Requirement
Introduction to Literature
Introduction to Literature
Introduction to Academic Literacies
Introduction to Academic Literacies: Online
Introduction to Academic Literacies
Advanced Composition
Advanced Composition
Advanced Composition
Writing in the Disciplines: Special Topics
Writing in the Disciplines: Biology
Writing in the Disciplines: History
Writing in the Disciplines: International Relations
Writing in the Disciplines: Engineering
Writing in the Disciplines: Food Science & Technology
Writing in the Disciplines: Environmental Writing
Writing in the Disciplines: Human Development & Psychology
Writing in the Disciplines: Ethnic Studies
Writing in the Disciplines: Fine Arts
Writing in the Disciplines: Sociology
Writing in the Disciplines: Film Studies
Writing in the Professions: Business Writing
Writing in the Professions: Business Writing
Writing in the Professions: Business Writing
Writing in the Professions: Law
Writing in the Professions: Journalism
Writing in the Professions: Elementary & Secondary Education
Writing in the Professions: Science
Writing in the Professions: Health
Writing in the Professions: Health
Writing in the Professions: Health
Writing in the Professions: Internships
Writing in the Professions: Writing for Social Justice
Writing in the Professions: Technical Writing
CMN 001Introduction to Public Speaking (Also counts toward English Composition Requirement)4
BIS 002BIntroduction to Biology: Principles of Ecology & Evolution5
ENH 006Introduction to Environmental Plants4
MAT 016AShort Calculus3-4
or STA 013 Elementary Statistics
or STA 013Y Elementary Statistics
Choose one:3-5
General Chemistry
Concept of Chemistry
The Earth
Principles of Physics
Topics in Physics for Nonscientists
Soils in Our Environment
Choose two courses satisfying Social Sciences General Education requirement; may count toward both GE and the major.8
Choose two courses satisfying Arts & Humanities General Education requirement; may count toward both GE and the major.8
Landscape Architecture
LDA 001Introduction to Environmental Design4
LDA 002Place, Culture & Community4
LDA 003Sustainable Development: Theory & Practice 4
LDA 021Landscape Representation I4
LDA 030History of Environmental Design4
LDA 050Site Ecology4
LDA 060Landform & Grading Studio6
LDA 070Introduction to Spacemaking4
Preparatory Subject Matter Subtotal73-76
Depth Subject Matter
Landscape Architecture
LDA 119Landscape Representation II4
LDA 120Landscape Representation III4
or LDA 150 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
LDA 160Design & Build Studio6
LDA 161Professional Practice & Construction Documents6
LDA 170Site Planning & Design Studio6
LDA 171Urban Design & Planning Studio6
LDA 182Advanced Landscape Architecture Studio I6
LDA 183Advanced Landscape Architecture Studio II6
LDA 184Capstone Landscape Architecture Studio6
LDA 190Proseminar in Landscape Architecture (Two quarters for 2 units total.)2
Environmental Horticulture
ENH 105Taxonomy & Ecology of Environmental Plant Families4
Depth Subject Matter Subtotal56
Restricted Electives
Choose 16 units of upper division courses in consultation with advisor.16
Total Units145-148