Courses Offered & Learning Outcomes

Our department is committed to providing students with course options that will prepare them to excel in their fields of study. We have established learning outcomes for our courses in order to fulfill this. Please feel free to browse through our outcomes to learn more!

For more information on major learning outcomes please visit Institutional Research, Planning & Assessment, Assessment.

Major Learning Outcomes

Develop technical and knowledge-based skills in the required areas of study.
Use technical and basic learned knowledge to collaborate, solve problems and then articulate conclusions.
Develop effective communication skills and demonstrate the ability to present ideas with clarity to an appropriate audience
Connect and build relationships with external groups in the appropriate fields of study.

Demonstrate an understanding of the design process used in landscape architectural practice.
Demonstrate the ability to communicate through visual literacy using hand graphics and computer technology.
Connect and build relationships with external groups in the appropriate fields of study.

Develop technical and knowledge-based skills in the required areas of study.
Use technical and basic learned knowledge to collaborate, solve problems and then articulate conclusions.
Develop effective communication skills and demonstrate the ability to present ideas with clarity to an appropriate audience.
Connect and build relationships with external groups in the appropriate fields of study.

Courses & Course Learning Outcomes

LARC 141 - Design Fundamentals

Course description: Fundamentals of basic design focusing on creative problem solving associated with landscape architecture.

Learning outcomes:

The primary content of LARC 141 is sustained experimentation with landscape forms.

Students will:

Gain knowledge of landscape architecture design practices and processes, design terms and techniques through discussion and studio work
Develop understanding of form and its varieties by creating models, doing sketches and drawings and completing design projects
Be introduced to standard techniques of measurement in design
Learn how to refine ideas from stage to stage of the design process by engaging in increasingly complex projects
Learn how to present their work in design reviews by presenting projects to peers and outside reviewers
Improve reading, writing and critical thinking skills by articulating their design ideas, researching case studies and relevant historical material, and preparing documents that summarize their findings

LARC 151 - Urban Agriculture: Designing and Assessing Edible Landscapes

Course description: Students will examine the growing development of urban agriculture and edible landscapes. Urban agriculture has seen a recent growth and interest in cities across the globe. From Paris to New York, from Baltimore to Detroit, urban agriculture is an emerging land use to address a variety of needs. Redevelopment, food deserts, community engagement and environmental justice are just some of the issues and topics that are connected to the recent growth of urban agriculture. This course will take a critical examination of urban agriculture's contribution to the food system, its input and outputs in the urban landscape, and the planning and design of urban agriculture and edible landscapes.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

Identifying the major issues in Urban Agriculture by demonstrating the ability to select critically, evaluate, apply and integrate knowledge and skills from the following areas:
1. urban agriculture
2. measuring the spatial distribution of food
3. exploring and selecting the site suitability for urban agriculture
Demonstrate an understanding of basic terms, concepts, and approaches that experts employ in dealing with these issues by articulating and documenting the procedures utilized to create documents that demonstrate proficiencies in the above outcomes. Students will receive and participate in peer intermediate / final reviews (critiques) ondraft submittals of selected projects;
Describe the sources the experts on the topic would use to explore these issues and questions by analyzing existing built work in the urban agriculture profession through critiquing case study documents;
Communicate major ideas and issues raised by the course through effective written and/or oral presentations. Students will demonstrate the ability to both professionally receive a critique and to provide a constructive critique of peers work in discussion sessions; and,
Demonstrate the ability to work in groups and collaborate on projects that involve peer review.
Demonstrate an understanding of the political, social, economic, and ethical dimensions involved in the course.
Articulate how this course has invited them to think in new ways about their lives, their place in the University and other communities, and/or issues central to their major disciplines or other fields of interest.

LARC 160 - Introduction to Landscape Architecture

Course description: History, theory, philosophy and current practice of the profession of landscape architecture. Explores the interactive relationship between humans and their environment by examining people's perceptions of and changing attitude towards the landscape, as well as, an examination of how these are related to ecological and cultural influences.

Learning outcomes:

Students enrolled in this course will:

Demonstrate knowledge of fundamental concepts and ideas in the field of landscape architecture.
Demonstrate an understanding of how landscape architects and designers utilize the principles and methods of Art + Science to structure and shape outdoor space.
Demonstrate critical thinking skills in evaluating causal arguments through the study of historic precedents that inform landscape design and landscape space.
Describe how the visual language of landscape architecture has a profound impact on the human perception of the environment, the recognition of pleasures and dangers, and the identification with places that have a significant impact on their everyday lives as well as places of periodic ceremony and ritual.
Observe, record and analyze designed landscapes and identify the design organization and the key elements of landscapes by keeping a personal Design Journal and preparing a Design Response.
Explain how culture and other key elements of historical context have had an impact on designed and natural settings, especially in the Washington, DC, area and within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed;
Demonstrate an understanding of the relationships between natural processes and human interventions in the landscape, the range of scales from regional planning to garden design, and how landscape architects transform the landscape to accommodate places for humans to live, work and play.

LARC 265 - Site Analysis and Ecological Principles

Course description: Principles and methods of site analysis with an emphasis on the application of ecological principles in landscape architecture, architecture and planning.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of this course students will be able to demonstrate:

an understanding of the interrelationship between architecture, landscape architecture, planning, and engineering in the design process, and gain an exposure to the contributions made by market analysts, environmental consultants, traffic engineers, and related professions to the development of land;
Provide an awareness of context- from regional landscape patterns to site surroundings- as an influence on design that has a “sense of place”;
Gain sensitivity to the natural, visual and cultural features of a site and learn how they provide opportunities for and constraints to the use of the land;
Become familiar with the principles of site planning, and explore ways in which these principles may be applied to the arrangement of individual structures, building complexes and small communities in the landscape;
Provide an appreciation for and commitment to design that successfully integrates site conditions, development program, architectural design, landscape features, planning approach, and engineering techniques in a way that produces a satisfying and meaningful environment for human life.

LARC 320 - Principles of Site Engineering

Course description: The study and application of landscape construction principles as applied to grading, drainage, site layout, storm water management, and vehicular and pedestrian circulation.

Learning outcomes:

The emphasis of the course is to thoroughly develop skills and understanding for the process of landform design and the presentation of the results on grading plans. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

Understand the basic principles of grading and earthwork as they apply to hard and soft surfaces;
Demonstrate graphic fluency in two- dimensional representation of landform manipulation and three-dimensional landform visualization;
Demonstrate competency in developing grading solutions for positive surface runoff for single and multiple structure sitting; and
Demonstrate competency in determining cut/fill calculations, runoff computations, and storm water management practices.

LARC 340 - Site Planning and Design Studio

Course description: An examination of the influence of landscape character and site features (natural and cultural) on landscape architecture, architecture and planning through application in the studio setting.

Learning outcomes:

Understand, and be able to incorporate, design theory related to medium scale site planning, low impact development, sustainable design concepts, and sound environmental principles.
Synthesize design solutions and adjust to landform considerations.
Establish links between site data, analysis, and design concepts.
Understand and utilize critical thinking skills in problem solving.
Explore design concepts to their conclusions.
Establish a hierarchy of factors to critique a design.
Refine the design problem solving process.

LARC 389 - Internship

Learning outcomes:

To become informed about internship learning experiences.
To learn about career opportunities.
To become familiar with the university career counseling service.

LARC 420 - Professional Practice

Learning outcomes:

To become informed about internship learning experiences.
To learn about career opportunities.
To become familiar with the university career counseling service.

LARC 440 - Urban Design Studio

Course description: The landscape architect's role within the interdisciplinary urban design process, focusing on urban site design issues. Pedestrian friendly site design and the future of sustainable development will be studied.

Learning Outcomes:

This design studio course will direct students of landscape architecture to define relationships between people, nature and infrastructure in the urban environment. Students will work to understand and appreciate the place of the city within the context of regional, historical and cultural influences. Students will demonstrate an ability to design for the scale of the metropolis as well as for the human participant and the context and influence of nature. Faculty and professional advisors will enhance analytical skills and the ability to synthesize the diverse program elements, concepts and functional requirements for design in the multi-layered conditions of the city, as represented in the studio projects. Topographic and architectural patterns, transportation functions, pedestrian involvement, and the creation of a sense of place will be the major concerns in the design of viable civic spaces. The idea of designing for the future in light of present physical, political, social and economic conditions is another pedagogical exploration of the course.

The major challenge of this studio is to examine the urban intervention process in the following ways:

Develop design principles and parameters creating a new basis for thinking about public space, landscape infrastructure, buildings and land use over the next era of the evolving city;
Test and apply those design principles within a Baltimore neighborhood by creating urban landscape design concepts and detailed design proposals;
Give focus to the process of giving form to the urban environment and making connections within the landscape without losing sight of the social, political, and economic impact of planning and site design.

Students successfully completing this class will have the ability to:

Undertake basic on- and off-site research of the urban landscape;
Analyze the site conditions and present findings graphically, verbally, and in written form;
Translate research into creative and sustainable urban designs; and
Present design proposals using various forms of artful, articulate, and distinctive visual representation.

The projects in this studio aim at reconnecting fragments of urban landscapes to their surrounding context. Reading and interpretation of the existing situations will put the emphasis on the progressive nature of transforming the urban landscape. We will take into consideration the process of layering, which constitutes the site and its history but does not imply nostalgia or an inevitable continuity.

LARC 452 - Green Infrastructure and Community Greening

Course description: A critical look and exploration of green infrastructure (GI) elements in the built environment in contributing to ecosystems services and the sustainability of the built environment. The course explores the science, issues, challenges, and the policy, planning and design solutions offered by green infrastructure.

Learning outcomes:

After completing this course student will demonstrate through project deliverable and presentation

a better understanding and knowledge of green infrastructure and community greening
What are the primary process and patterns of vegetation in MD?
What are the issues?
What are national and state approaches to solving the issues?
What are county and state approaches to solving the issues?
What are site approaches to solving the issues?
an understanding and working knowledge of green infrastructure and community greening in relationship to sustainability.
an advancement in their written, programming, spatial organization, & graphic presentation and oral communication skills related to green infrastructure

LARC 470 - Landscape Architecture Seminar

Course description: A combination of self-directed study, seminar, and lecture formats. An introduction to aspects of research methods, critical analysis, and proposal writing with a focus on urban and community design.

Learning outcomes:

All students will:

acquire advanced practice in critical thinking through reading, writing and discussion
improve reading of complicated and analytical texts
enhance fundamental writing skills through submission of multiple drafts of a research paper
cogently present complex ideas through a public presentation
synthesize multiple kinds of philosophical, theoretical, and practical ideas relevant to landscape architecture
become aware of theories of the past and the future that will continue to change landscape architecture
increase awareness of the demand, rigor and vitality of theory to design practice
establish necessary skills in criticism of built and planned works

LARC 620 - Graphic Tools for Landscape

Course description: This course integrates digital and analog methods of communication and provides an introduction to computer tools and techniques commonly used in landscape architecture practice. Non-drafting computer tools will be used to orient basic digital image capture, manipulation, and presentation formatting. Also includes techniques and application of various media for graphic communication associated with landscape architecture.

LARC 640 - Graduate Studio I

Course description: Principles and techniques of design as applied to shaping the landscape developing concepts in visual thinking, environmental awareness, and design intervention through studio exercises and projects.

Learning outcomes:

The goal of this course is to encourage students’ individual design creativity and to augment this with some basic design principles. The objectives of this course are for students:

to understand landscape architecture as a design process that leads to a product.
to learn how to develop and apply strong design concepts and imagery.
to understand the formation of human scale space and spatial connections.
to understand to opportunities and constraints of using landforms, structures, and plants in design of the landscape.
to learn how to produces office quality visual, oral, and written presentations.

LARC 642 - Graduate Studio II

Course description: A focus on the interaction of landscape science (hydrology, geology, etc.) with the necessities and mechanisms of human settlements (transportation, economics, etc.) emphasizing innovative and forward thinking solutions to urbanization and ecological problems. It will apply this knowledge to landscape analysis, recreational planning and design, and community development, emphasizing resource management, spatial organization, landscape character, and the physical and social structure of community services. This course will be required for both Track 1 and Track 2 students.

Learning outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, each student will know how to:

Inventory and analyze the cultural and environmental context of existing and proposed greenway sites.
Plan and design greenway circulation, facilities and activity spaces.
Create terrestrial habitat plans as a wildlife component in a broader ecological system.
Address stormwater quality management issues that arise from urbanization activities.
Evaluate designs with a focus on sustainability and long-term landscape performance.
Develop confidence in working with GIS, CAD and other digital design tools.
Work together as a productive member of a design group working toward shared goals.

LARC 670 - Landscape Architecture Theory and Criticism

Course description: Review and analysis of the body of literature concerning landscape architecture and relationships between humans and both natural and designed environments. Topics may include: rationalism, ethics, aesthetics, social and economic values, postmodernism, feminist, multiculturalism, ecological determinism, preservation/conservation, and sustainability and ecological design. Each week students will lead a debate and discussion on a theoretical issue based on the assigned readings for that week.

Learning outcomes:

All students will:

acquire advanced practice in critical thinking through reading, writing and discussion
improve reading of complicated and analytical texts
enhance fundamental writing skills through submission of multiple drafts of a research paper
cogently present complex ideas through a public presentation
synthesize multiple kinds of philosophical, theoretical, and practical ideas relevant to landscape architecture
become aware of theories of the past and the future that will continue to change landscape architecture
increase awareness of the demand, rigor and vitality of theory to design practice
establish necessary skills in criticism of built and planned works

LARC 721 - Landscape Construction Methods and Materials

Course description: Basic methods of constructing landscapes and manipulating the appropriate plant and inorganic materials for the creation of ecologically sustainable environments for human use. An examination of the use, properties, and detailing of materials used in landscape construction.

Learning outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the course, students will:

Learn about the character, quality, availability, sustainability, and integrity of the materials that are commonly used in landscape construction in the Mid-Atlantic Region;
Understand how materials are best used for their architectural quality, structural integrity, and durability;
Understand the character of materials and how they are assembled for construction, using drawing and sketching as a means of analyzing existing landscapes, speculating about how they were built, and proposing how they might have been built better;
Gain an understanding of the layers of information presented within construction documents and understand the types of information conveyed on each sheet;
Evaluate professional construction documents with a critical eye and critical thinking skills;
Integrate your understanding of landscape materials and construction from prior coursework;
Prepare design development and construction drawings, construction details, and cost estimates;
Develop a working knowledge of the appropriate technologies as they apply to sites on the ground (“terra firma”) as well as sites on top of buildings (green roof/roof gardens); and
Expand your understanding of the site physical and cultural context, the specificity of each site’s condition and surrounding influences on it, and how to improve the process and product of landscape design and construction.

LARC 748 - Advanced Special Topics Studio

Course description: This semester's LARC748 studio will be composed of 2 projects related tostormwater and resiliency. Some dimensions of this studio include applyingcross-disciplinary perspectives into the design process (public health, civilengineering, wetland ecology, and planning).

Learning objectives:

This community design studio course is designed such that, at the end of thiscourse, you will be able to:

Develop new adaptive design responses and design communication skills in the context of stormwater and climate change at different scales;
To move beyond having community meetings to applying civic engagement and participatory design methods in order to incorporate community members’ concerns, issues, ideas, and budgets into site analysis and design responses;
To identify and compare different approaches of engaging communities in the design process while gaining exposure to collaborative design approaches with stakeholders and communities in a real-world context by assisting with civic engagement for different design projects;
To continue to develop sophisticated approaches to applying projected landscape performance metrics as a way to collaborate with other disciplines (civil engineering, urban ecology, etc.)

Learning outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, each student will know how to:

Apply expertise from other disciplinary perspectives (civil engineers, spatial analysts, bioengineering, wetland scientists, ecologists, economists, public policy, planning, etc.) to the design problem and solution;
Assess, design, and communicate (visual and written) the technical, social and economic potential of green infrastructure at different spatial scales.
Determine the projected landscape performance (environmental/ ecological, economic, and social) of the design;
To identify and compare different approaches of engaging communities in the design process;
To incorporate community members’ concerns, issues, and ideas into site analysis and design responses;
Develop a cost estimate, operations and maintenance plan, and a phasing plan; and
Continue developing digital design tool skills.

LARC 120 - Digital Fundamentals

Course description: An introduction to fundamental computer tools and techniques commonly used in design communication and landscape architecture practice. Non-drafting computer tools will be used to orient basic digital image capture, manipulation, and presentation formatting.

Learning outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, each student will be able to:

Illustrate perspectives quickly and effectively to communicate design ideas
Work with computer graphic techniques and explore digital media in new ways
Apply perspective and advanced computer techniques on an individual project
Design a professional quality portfolio

LARC 160 - Introduction to Landscape Architecture

Learning outcomes:

Students enrolled in this course will:

Demonstrate knowledge of fundamental concepts and ideas in the field of landscape architecture.
Demonstrate an understanding of how landscape architects and designers utilize the principles and methods of Art + Science to structure and shape outdoor space.
Demonstrate critical thinking skills in evaluating causal arguments through the study of historic precedents that inform landscape design and landscape space.
Describe how the visual language of landscape architecture has a profound impact on the human perception of the environment, the recognition of pleasures and dangers, and the identification with places that have a significant impact on their everyday lives as well as places of periodic ceremony and ritual.
Observe, record and analyze designed landscapes and identify the design organization and the key elements of landscapes by keeping a personal Design Journal and preparing a Design Response.
Explain how culture and other key elements of historical context have had an impact on designed and natural settings, especially in the Washington, DC, area and within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed;
Demonstrate an understanding of the relationships between natural processes and human interventions in the landscape, the range of scales from regional planning to garden design, and how landscape architects transform the landscape to accommodate places for humans to live, work and play.

LARC 221 - Digital Design Tools

Course description: The development and application of computing skills as used by the landscape architecture profession. This Computer-Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) course develops computer drafting using a variety of software programs. It also introduces students to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping technologies.

LARC 240 - Graphic Communication and Design Studio

Course description: Exploration of graphic presentation techniques and original concept development for landscape architecture planning and design.

Learning outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

Conduct site inventory and site analysis.
Identify the natural and cultural systems, forces, and dynamic processes that affect landscape design.
Manipulate landform and use planting materials to create space that meets functional, environmental, and aesthetic requirements.
Describe landscape design processes and methods.
Integrate buildings with other landscape features and overall settings.
Design school master plan, streetscape, courtyards and vehicular and pedestrian circulation systems and parking facilities.
Effectively communicate their design ideas graphically and verbally

LARC 263 - History of Landscape Architecture

Course description: A survey of landscape architecture history from the ancient Western civilizations to the twentieth century with consideration of parallel developments in the Eastern World, European Africa and the Americas.

Learning Outcomes:
Humanities
Courses in the foundational humanities disciplines study history and the genres of human
creativity. It includes courses in literatures in any language, art, art history, classics, history, music, and music history as well as courses in the foundational disciplines of linguistics and philosophy.

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of fundamental terminology and concepts drawn from the global tradition of landscape design from antiquity to the twenty-first century. Class discussions, exams, and assignments require that students are conversant in the fundamental terminology, concepts and principles used in the history of gardens and designed landscapes. Quizzes will demand recognition of important landscapes.
Students will learn how to analyze, contextualize, compare and interpret gardens and designed landscapes. Regularly scheduled short essays require that students develop and demonstrate these skills. Furthermore, the midterm and final exams include a critical analysis of particular garden/designed landscapes.
Students will demonstrate critical thinking in the evaluation of image and text sources and in the development of arguments. All research assignments and exams contribute to this outcome.
Students will demonstrate how language use is related to ways of thinking about the relationship between culture and human and non-human nature. Class discussions, peer review of papers and written assignments contribute to this outcome.
Students will conduct research on topics related to a designated landscape and/or garden. The research papers and exams contribute to this outcome.
Students will demonstrate the ability to formulate a thesis/argument related to a specific topic in landscape architectural history and to support their thesis/argument with evidence.

LARC 321 - Landscape Structures and Materials

Course description: An examination of the use, properties, and detailing of materials used in landscape construction. The use and design of structures in the landscape.

Learning outcomes:

Students will deepen their understanding of landscape design by identifying and generating systems of construction. The primary aim of the course is to develop facility with the varied materials and construction methods that make up our built environment and to understand the characteristics of landscape construction materials including cost, durability, longevity, and maintenance. While the examination of materials and their use in the context of this course just scratches the surface, students will cultivate lines of inquiry and resourcefulness to use in their continued education about new and evolving materials and methods. The course will build on students’ growing knowledge of environmental concerns by examining issues of sustainability in material specification.

LARC 341 - Regional Design Studio

Course description: An examination of the landscape architect's role within the interdisciplinary regional design field incorporating GIS technologies, spatial modeling, and the regional design process.

Learning outcomes:

Upon completion of this course students will know:

how to investigate and record the environmental context of expanding urban areas, including the characteristics of soils, slopes, natural drainage systems, native plants communities, and wildlife habitat systems,
how to investigate and record the cultural context of expanding urban areas, including transportation systems, zoning regulations, and land uses,
the information data resources available for analyzing natural and cultural processes that influence landscape planning and design,
the application of design technologies that support landscape planning and design including geographic information systems.
techniques and approaches to organizing and presenting environmental themes and parameters that guide planning and design decision-making,
how to coordinate design teams for collaboration in developing and communicating ideas and concepts.

LARC 461 - People and the Environment

Course description: Focus is placed on human and environmental interactions. Students will look at both natural and built environments and how they influence human health and well-being. Many environmental settings will be examined. These include hospitals, public housing neighborhoods, school settings, retirement communities, transportation corridors and green spaces. We will also explore how racial and socio-economic factors affect living and working environmental conditions. Ultimately, students will be using this knowledge to create environments that support individuals, families and various community groups' health and well-being.

Learning outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

Describe how people interact with their environments.
Link the relationship between landscape design and human functioning and well-being.
Describe how people process information.
Describe why people get mentally fatigued and the characteristics of restorative landscapes.
Predict people’s preferred environments.
Be ready to create restorative and healthy environments for people.
Identify healthy places.

LARC 471 - Capstone Studio: Community Design

Course description: A capstone experience that emphasizes the integration of critical thinking skills and methodologies introduced throughout the landscape architecture curriculum. Students apply design and analysis methodologies, evaluate alternative solutions, involve community residents and engage in final design development, using the master plan and site design process, report writing, and oral and graphic presentations. Final presentations are open to the university and the community.

Learning objectives:

This community design studio course is designed such that, at the end of this course, you will be able to:

Develop new adaptive design responses and design communication skills in the context of sea level change and related flooding issues at different scales;
To move beyond having community meetings to applying civic engagement and participatory design methods in order to incorporate community members’ concerns, issues, and ideas into site analysis and design responses;
To identify and compare different approaches of engaging communities in the design process;
To gain exposure to collaborative design approaches with town staff, key stakeholders, and residents in a realworld context by assisting with civic engagement for different design projects.

Learning outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, each student will know how to:

Apply expertise from other disciplinary perspectives (civil engineers, spatial analysts, bioengineering, wetland scientists, ecologists, planning, etc.) to the design challenge;
Determine the projected landscape performance (environmental/ ecological, economic, and social) of the design;
To identify and compare different approaches of engaging communities in the design process;
To incorporate community members’ concerns, issues, and ideas into site analysis and design responses;
Apply, interpret, and graphically represent different mapping scenarios of sea level rise, storm surge, and other factors to anticipate potential impacts at the landscape and site scales;
Develop a cost estimate, operations and maintenance plan, and a phasing plan; and
Continue to develop familiarity with GIS and other digital design tools.

LARC 641 - Graduate Studio II

Course description: Principles and techniques of site analysis, environmental design and site development for human settlements and interaction with natural systems. Will expand analytical skills through complex site design problems. Students will research, observe and apply low impact development and sustainable practices, become familiar with building and landscape types by investigating alternative arrangements on the land, and understand user needs and design for populations with a range of abilities. Will support LEED and sustainable practices and acknowledge the requirements of public health, safety, and welfare.

Learning outcomes:

Understand process as an integral part of design problem solving.
Become acquainted with Low Impact Development techniques.
Learn to critically analyze a variety of systems and apply their findings to sustainable, environmentally sound design solutions.
Explore controversies and differing points of view in regard to regulations, practices, and classifications.
Develop design methodologies that respond to all of the program objectives while exploring alternative arrangements and relationships of design and programmatic elements.

Upon successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

Synthesize design solutions
Establish links between site data, analysis, and design concepts
Understand and utilize critical thinking skills in problem solving
Explore planning, zoning, and design concepts to their conclusion
Establish a hierarchy of factors to critique a design
Develop more confidence in site planning and design problem solving
Understand, and be able to incorporate, design theory related to low impact development, sustainable design concepts, and environmental sensitivity.

LARC 648 - Graduate Studio IV

Course description: The studio will be conducted as a collaborative effort between the landscape architecture graduate students, the instructor, professionals in practice, and representatives from local government and non-profit agencies. Our goal is to understand and re-create urban spaces and neighborhoods for the 21st century, while addressing current urban dilemmas (climate change, population growth, resource constraints, diminishing habitat) and developing creative responses to these challenges.

Learning outcomes:

Upon completion of this design studio course, students will have advanced their knowledge and understanding of urban design and the positive influence that landscape architecture can have on the health of the environment and the people who reside, work, and play here. The design studio process will include, but not be limited to, the following:

Learning fundamentals of urban design and planning: land use, zoning, FAR, public realm, transportation and mobility.
Learning about architecture: typologies and forms.
Appreciating the Public Realm: democratic values and the activities that embrace them.
Transportation & Mobility: addressing vehicular traffic, mass transit, and creating a walkable/bikable city.
Identifying places of significance, their character, and relationships to each other.
Integrating Nature and Culture: exposure to thoughts of various urbanists and discourses on landscape and sustainability in the city.
Performance of Urban Landscapes: stormwater management, open space, urban ecology & habitat, heat island effect.
Critical dimensions: practice applying standard dimensions for urban ROW elements.

LARC 663 - Landscape and Garden History

Course description: History of garden making and its evolution into design practice. Students will become familiar with narratives of garden art and landscape architecture through the study of selected key sites, designers, and visual written sources. A focus on gardens' past and afterlife; the nature of primary sources (both built and written), and how these can be evaluated and used. Primary sources will be drawn from several disciplines and include a wide array of genres: treatises, epistolary exchanges, tax returns, novels, poems, paintings and drawings.

Learning outcomes:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

Recognize and understand the different ways humanity has shaped the land over time and to understand how our design legacy influences how we perceive and design our land today
To understand the importance of history in contemporary design
Recognize and identify different design strategies, principles and features from different time periods and different geographical regions across the world
Identify changes in the human/nature relationship through history
Locate and analyze gardens and designed landscapes within their specific social, cultural, political, scientific and technological contexts
Identify exchanges of ideas between different cultures and across geographic boundaries and temporal frameworks
To think critically, improve skills of analysis, synthesis, interpretation, argumentation and research
All of these aspects will be demonstrated through participation in weekly class discussions and assignments, individual presentations and in a final written essay project

LARC 671 - Landscape Architecture Research Methods

Course description: Investigation and discussion of broad scope of research methods and the development of landscape design and planning research techniques and skills. The urban environment will be viewed primarily as a social and psychological environment, with concern for who uses these environments and the conflicts that can arise between user groups.

Learning objectives:

To develop skills needed to develop a rigorous research or applied project proposal in preparation for the required MLA thesis project.
To learn how to develop a research study in a way that innovatively applies landscape architecture research findings.
To be able to prepare a concise, wellresearched, and developed thesis proposal.
To have an introductory understanding of the different research methods used by landscape architects, and to be able to critically evaluate their use.
To understand and articulate the value of research based design to landscape architecture practice & theory.

Learning outcomes:

At the conclusion of this class, students will be able:

To prepare a scholarly proposal for the masters of landscape architecture thesis degree in landscape architecture; and,
To apply appropriate research techniques to landscape architecture research, design, and practice.
To develop a comprehensive understanding of the various research dimensions in landscape architecture.

LARC 720 - Environmental Analysis and Site Engineering

Course description: Techniques for prediction of alterations in social and natural processe brought about by human use of the land; application of such assessments to environmental management; basic methods of landscape alteration, augmentation, and control including grading, drainage, road and trail design, and stormwater management.

Learning outcomes:

Understand the basic principles of grading and earthwork as they apply to hard and soft surfaces;
Demonstrate graphic fluency in two- dimensional representation of landform manipulation and three-dimensional landform visualization;
Demonstrate competency in developing grading solutions for positive surface runoff for single and multiple structure sitting; and
Demonstrate competency in determining cut/fill calculations, runoff computations, and storm water management practices.

PLSC 101 - Introductory Crop Science

Course description: Major crop plants including: anatomy, physiology, morphology, history, use, adaptation, culture, improvement and economic importance.

PLSC 115 -How Safe is Your Salad? The Microbiological Safety of Fresh Produce

Course description: As food is produced in larger quantities and made to travel longer distances, keeping our food safe in this day and age is an ever growing challenge. This course will focus on the question of what it takes to grow and maintain safe fruits and vegetables, as food travels along the path from the farm to your fork. Food safety of fresh produce will be discussed from the public health, agricultural, economical and policy perspectives.

Learning Outcomes:

Student will increase their science literacy by learning how to access information regarding food safety, through reading material taken from scientific literature, mainstream media, industry guidelines and press releases dealing with the modern issues of food safety we face today.
Students will engage in discussions on foodborne disease. This discussion will cross multiple disciplines, including public health microbiology, epidemiology, agriculture, genetics, public policy and globalization, such that the knowledge gained will be broad and appealing to a wide range of study majors.
Students will garner an appreciation for the complexity of food safety issues, from a public health, economic and environmental perspective. They will think more about the fresh produce they eat every day, and will be able to make informed choices regarding that food. They will reflect on how their vegetables were grown, how they were handled and cleaned, where that food came from, etc.
Students will better understand what happens behind the scenes when a food-borne disease outbreak happens. They will learn the language used by scientists and policy makers in the world of food safety and understand the ethical responsibility farmers have to grow safe food.
Students will learn some basic principles of microbial diversity (used in epidemiology to investigate an outbreak) and microbial genetics, how selective pressures may drive gene acquisition and how this could lead to the emergence of new strains and ultimately emerging pathogens.
Students will have the opportunity to evaluate, reason and debate food safety questions facing our society from the perspective of the consumer, the producer and the government. Students will be able to integrate knowledge and information from various sources and learn how bridging multiple disciplines informs public policy, improves public health and protects industry.

PLSC 120 - Mushrooms and Molds

Course description: Students will learn about how essential fungi (mushroom, molds, and alikes) are in this world and how they affect our daily lives. They will learn how fungi interact with animals, plants and other organisms in positive and negative ways. Also, they will study the importance of fungi in biotechnology and food and how they have shaped many societies throughout history.

PLSC 125 - Feeding Nine Billion by 2050: Food Security and Crop Production

Course description: A big question in global food security is "how can we feed 9 billion people in 2050?" This course will stimulate creative thinking about possible solutions particularly from the crop production perspective. The instructor will introduce the concept of food security and different dimensions of this complex issue, identify major constraints to food security, and discuss scientific approaches that may be used to meet the grand challenge. Emphasis will be placed on topical and controversial issues such as the impact of biofuel production and GM crops on food security, and novel strategies that can enhance crop protection for improving food security.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, the students will be able to:

Demonstrate an understanding of food insecurity as a grand challenge of the world
Define the basic concepts of food security and sustainable agriculture
Identify and demonstrate an understanding of the major problems/constraints related to food security, particularly from the biological perspective
Identify various approaches and inspire novel ideas that can be exploited to enhance food production and mitigate food insecurity
Communicate major ideas and issues concerning food security through case studies and oral/written presentations
Relate food security issues to one’s own life, community, other courses, and even future career goals.

PLSC 201 - Plant Structure and Function

Course description: The relationship between plant structure and function and how the environment influences changes in the physiology to control higher plant growth and development are studied.

PLSC 203 - Plant, Genes and Biotechnology

Course description: An overview of the history, genetics, and reproductive mechanisms for agronomic and horticultural plants that examines mechanisms of genetic improvement ranging from traditional plant breeding to tissue culture and genetic engineering. Social and political issues such as germplasm preservation and international intellectual property rights will also be discussed.

PLSC 205- Introduction to Turf Science and Management

Course description: Principles of turf science and culture with emphasis on turfgrass anatomy, morphology, and physiology. The role of cultural interventions in achieving specific aesthetic and functional objectives is examined for multiple turf uses. Pest problems typically encountered in turfgrass management are also covered.

Learning Outcomes:

When you complete this course you should be able to:

Understand what criteria are used in describing turfgrass quality and the role turfgrasses play in an urban, suburban, and rural settings.
Identify the major turfgrass species found in the U.S. and the primary pests that affect turfgrasses in the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S.
Select appropriate turfgrass species and cultivars given knowledge of site environmental conditions, intended use and anticipated maintenance level.
Describe growth and development differences in C3 and C4 grasses and explain how environmental conditions and the use of common cultural practices affect the immediate growth and long-term survivability of turfgrasses.
Describe the role plant nutrients, fertilizers and pesticides have in turfgrass culture.
Provide examples of the potential risks associated fertilizer and pesticide applications made to turfgrass.
Outline the steps plant scientists follow when conducting a field trial experiment.
Interpret the results and identify potential limitations in data obtained from a simple field trial experiment.

PLSC 251 - Financial Applications for the Green Industry

Course description: An introduction to the application of financial principles in the Green Industry business sector. Accounting, pricing, and estimating, job cost management and production efficiency are discussed and manifested in Scholarship In Practice exercises, case studies and a business plan project.

Learning Outcomes:

To acquire a working knowledge of business principles applicable to the landscape industry.
To gain a comprehension of the business structure and management associated with the industry.
To develop an understanding of landscape contracts, and the differentiation between design/build and landscape management.
To become familiar with landscape management services and design/build project management.
To gain an understanding of physical and human resources required for design/build and landscape management.

PLSC 253 - Woody Plants for Mid-Atlantic Landscapes I

Course description: A field and laboratory study of trees, shrubs, and vines used in ornamental plantings. Major emphasis is placed on native deciduous plant materials.

Learning Outcomes:

You will become familiar with:

Specific woody plants that are common, useful, and/or undesired in Mid-Atlantic landscapes
Physical characteristics of plants that will enable you to identify species learned in class, and to use dichotomous keys to identify unknown species
The influence of evolutionary history on development of plant traits, and how these traits affect the performance of woody plants and composition of plant communities under different environmental conditions, including soil properties, moisture, and light
Ecological processes and patterns that affect woody plant growth, reproduction, survival, and plant traits that people desire or avoid
Ecosystem services provided by woody plants

You will also practice:

Observing and identifying woody plants in your everyday life
Grappling with current problems related to woody plants using a systems thinking approach, and proposing solutions

PLSC 289I- Greening Cities: Who Wins, Who Loses, and Who Cares?

Learning Outcomes:

investigate significant issues with imagination and intellect with a belief that they will inspire future investigation and provide concrete mechanisms to implement innovative ideas.
challenge students to wrestle with the Big Questions
offer students new intellectual domains to explore and new ways to think about contemporary problems and age-old dilemmas like ecological sustainability.
promote critical thinking, effective communication skills, media literacy, technology fluency, and humane understanding.
students will take responsibility for their learning and for demonstrating their mastery of the material in their course work.
students must be willing participants/subjects in an experiment to help develop this course to meet expectations for future students.

PLSC 389 - Internship

Learning Outcomes:

To become informed about internship learning experiences.
To learn about career opportunities.
To become familiar with the university career counseling service.

PLSC 405 - Agroecology

Course description: How can we balance the multiple, and often competing objectives of sustainable agricultural intensification to promote both agricultural productivity and human wellbeing? The answer to this question requires a transdisciplinary, agroecological perspective. Agroecology is the integrative study of the ecology of the entire food system, encompassing ecological, economic and social dimensions. This course is designed to introduce various topics in agroecology (e.g. organic agriculture, biodiversity, the Farm Bill). We will take an ecosystems approach to the study of agriculture that will enable students to analyze the environmental, social, and economic interconnections within various types of agricultural systems locally and globally.

Learning Outcomes:

Course-Specific

Ability to define, describe and apply basic ecological principles to agroecosystems.
Understand the impacts and interrelationships between agricultural systems and associated ecosystems.
Ability to identify holistic relationships between the major ecological, social and economic factors affecting agroecosystem sustainability.
Understand the diversity of agroecological systems in terms of scales, dimensions, diversity and value systems.
Integrate and synthesize knowledge to inform the design of sustainable food systems.

General

Demonstrate competence in independent research and problem solving.
Demonstrate written and oral communication skills.
Improved ability to work efficiently in teams and independently research relevant information
Demonstrate critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, including an ability to access, retrieve, evaluate and utilize relevant information from a wide range of sources including primary and secondary scientific literature sources, and also from personal observations.

PLSC 420 - Principles of Plant Pathology

Course description: An introduction to the causal agents, nature and management of plant diseases with particular attention paid to economically important diseases of horticultural and agronomic crops.

Learning outcomes:

Students completing this course will (i) be familiar with major types of plant pathogens, (ii) have the skills for plant disease diagnosis; (iii) understand the process to demonstrate pathogenicity, (iv) have awareness of the different stages of fungal, bacterial and viral disease cycles and basic research methods for the study of each pathogen group; (v) understand plant disease epidemiology and major practices of disease management; (vi) understand mechanisms of plant disease resistance and basic strategies for breeding disease- resistant crop cultivars.

PLSC 453 - Weed Science

Course description: Weed identification, ecology, and control (cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical methods).

PLSC 601 - Plant Genomics

Course description: An advanced course in plant genomics which is the study of genes of plant chromosomes. It will cover current topics in gene mapping, molecular markers, QTLs, gene sequencing, and genetic engineering with special focus on agriculturally important traits.

PLSC 605 - Advanced Agroecology

Learning Outcomes:

Course-Specific

Ability to define, describe and apply basic ecological principles to agroecosystems.
Understand the impacts and interrelationships between agricultural systems and associated ecosystems.
Ability to identify holistic relationships between the major ecological, social and economic factors affecting agroecosystem sustainability.
Understand the diversity of agroecological systems in terms of scales, dimensions, diversity and value systems.
Integrate and synthesize knowledge to inform the design of sustainable food systems.

General

Demonstrate competence in independent research and problem solving.
Demonstrate written and oral communication skills.
Improved ability to work efficiently in teams and independently research relevant information
Demonstrate critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, including an ability to access, retrieve, evaluate and utilize relevant information from a wide range of sources including primary and secondary scientific literature sources, and also from personal observations.

PLSC 608 - Research Methods

Course description: The objective of this course is to acquaint graduate students with the procedures, methods and thought processes used to plan, implement, and present scientific research. The course is intended to acquaint students with the culture of scientific research and help them understand how to efficiently and responsibly conduct a research program. The development of an oral and written research project summary is used as a functional device to help students understand how the concepts developed in the course become part of research planning. Classroom exercises help students understand universal concepts of scientific presentation to specialized, non-specialized, and non-scientific audiences. Integrated into this group study is a thorough investigation of the principles of responsible conduct of research. Those discussions will deal with topics that are specific to graduate students as well as general topics that impact all researchers. The topics for this portion of the course have been developed to satisfy guidelines established by the UMD Division of Research Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) program, the NIH Research Ethics recommendations, ICMJE Uniform Guidelines for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals, and the updated America Competes Act (2010) requirement. Students are required to take and be certified by the online Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative RCR course administered through the UMD VPR’s office. Additional lectures are dedicated to discussions of RCR policy and RCR-related scenarios that might be encountered by graduate students during their careers. These discussion sessions deal with issues of plagiarism, collegial interactions, authorship, intellectual property, and special requirements of extramurally-funded projects. Diversity as an essential component of research excellence is a theme within the course, and the practices that limit diversity in the research enterprise are discussed. Finally, class discussions focus on the career opportunities available to M.S. and Ph. D graduates.

The outcome of this class is to provide a “road map” outlining strategies and general concepts to follow which will help lead graduate students to a successful career as working scientists.

PLSC 619 - Seminars in Plant Science and Landscape Architecture

Course Description: The purpose of this course is broaden student exposure to research advances in the field of plant science, bridge concepts and ideas from multiple disciplines and encourage critical thinking. The course is structured around Department research seminars that are presented by invited speakers and a subsequent discussion of seminar material.

Learning Outcomes

Students will increase their science literacy by being exposed to a broad range of seminar topics and speakers
Students will engage in discussions on various aspects of plant science, experimental design, hypothesis testing and presentation formats. This discussion will cross multiple disciplines, such that the exposure gained will be broad and appealing to a wide range of research foci.
Students will garner an appreciation for the importance of clearly stating research questions and rationale, recognizing novel research, becoming aware of funding source as well as identifying the significance and applicability of research in a socio-economic and public health context.
Students will gain experience and develop skills in facilitating a discussion, guiding the conversation to steer the group to better understand the subject matter or discussion point, and develop communication and leadership skills and intellectual independence.

PLSC 100 - Introduction to Horticulture

Course description: An overview to the art and science of horticulture. Relationships between plant science and plant production, the use of horticultural plants and plant stress as influenced by cultural practices.

PLSC 226- Plant Diversity

Course description: The objective in this course is for you to learn to identify major plant families and species and to understand relationships among them. The class is taught through lecture, field, and laboratory study. Identifying characteristics, biogeography, and evolutionary relationships of families are emphasized in lecture. These characteristics will be woven together to provide understanding of the ecological and evolutionary drivers of the plant diversity of our region. Sight identification of families, genera, and species and keying skills are stressed in laboratory sessions.

Learning outcomes:

Students will learn distinguishing characteristics of and relationships among major plant lineages.
Students will learn to identify ~80 families of plants, emphasizing angiosperms and conifers. We will focus primarily on families and genera will be found in northeastern North America, especially in the Mid-Atlantic region. We will also cover some families that are important worldwide in terms of ecology, evolution or agriculture but that do not occur here.
By learning evolutionary relationships among the families students will begin to appreciate diversity in these plant groups.
Students will learn to identify ~80 dominant species within the families we study.
Students will become familiar with resources available to help you learn on their own after the semester is over.
Learning to identify new plants using dichotomous keys will enable students to continue to identify plants on their own after the class is over.

PLSC 235 - Irrigation and Drainage

Course description: An overview of U.S. and state water doctrines and plant water use rates Irrigation systems for residential and athletic field use will be discussed covering such topics as hydraulics, sprinkler spacing, pipe selection and sizing, pumps, controllers, valves, and irrigation trouble shooting. Surface and subsurface drainage for turfgrass sites will also be covered.

Learning outcomes:

When you complete this course you should be able to:

Identify the major uses of water and the current water laws and water use doctrines in the United States. Review water conservation programs for turf and landscape systems.
Calculate the influence of flow rate, pipe size, and elevation differences on the operating pressure of an irrigation system.
Design an irrigation system for a residential property and an athletic field.
Trouble shoot an irrigation system.
Assemble a small scale irrigation layout, run a hydraulic check of the system and conduct an irrigation audit.
Determine grade elevations, cut-fill volumes, and elevation differences used in land grading exercises.

PLSC 254 - Woody Plants for Mid-Atlantic Landscape II

Course description: A field and laboratory study of trees, shrubs, and vines used in ornamental plantings. Major emphasis is placed on introduced and evergreen plant materials.

Learning outcomes:

You will become familiar with:

Specific woody plants that are common, useful, and/or undesired in Mid-Atlantic landscapes
Physical characteristics of plants that will enable you to identify both species learned in class and species you haven’t seen before
Using dichotomous keys to identify unknown species
Ecological processes and patterns that affect woody plant growth, reproduction and survival
Factors influencing vegetation dynamics over time in woody plant communities

You will also practice:

Observing and identifying woody plants in your everyday life
Conducting research and communicating your results
Applying concepts to solving problems in your field of study

PLSC 271 - Plant Propagation

Course description: A study of the principles and practices in the propagation of plants.

PLSC 272 - Principles of Arboriculture

Course description: The establishment and maintenance of healthy trees in an urban setting will be studied. Lectures will focus on the environmental constraints to tree development in the city, and the role of physiological processes in regulating tree vigor. Laboratory exercises will cover the unique aspects of urban soils, tree valuation procedures, pruning and training, and supervised climbing.

Learning outcomes:

Recognize the risks and benefits of trees in the urban forest.
Gain a thorough understanding of tree biology including growth and development, decline, death, and decay.
Recognize faults in tree structure, identify hazardous trees, and specify corrective actions.
Demonstrate knowledge of the tools and techniques used by arborists.
Investigate the conflicts between trees and people including utility conflicts, electrical transmission, hardscape damage, tree litter, neighbor vs. neighbor complaints, and vegetation management issues.

PLSC 275 - Fundamentals of Agricultural Chemistry

Course description: An in-depth discussion of chemistry targeted to students enrolled in plant and animal management curricula offered in AGNR. Covers the nomenclature and basic functional groups in organic chemistry, secondary plant metabolites, basic tenets of organic agriculture and the creation of genetically-modified plants. The chemistry, handling and usage of agricultural pesticides is also discussed.

Learning outcomes:

Carbon Chemistry. Students will learn basic chemical structures and nomenclature of organic chemistry through lecture, reading and problem-solving.
Organic Agriculture. Students will study the evolution of organic agriculture and understand the differences between organic chemistry and organic production.
Pesticide Laws, Handling, and Usage. Through readings and problems, students will learn the basic laws, principles and procedures needed to properly handle commercial pesticides. Following this training, students will be ready to sit for the pesticide licensing exam offered by the Maryland Department of Agriculture.
Integrating questions related to the interplay of science and society. By the end of this course you are expected to be able to integrate your knowledge of basic organic chemistry to clearly discuss societal issues related to chemical hazards, environmental health and human nutrition.

PLSC 303 - Global Food Systems

Course description: An introduction to the global food system and its agricultural, biophysical, and socioeconomic domains. The problems and potentials for increasing world food supply based on current agronomic knowledge. Emphasis on international aspects of food crop production as its interrelationships with people and the environment in the developing world.

Learning outcomes:

Scientific Literacy. Students will gain foundational knowledge in how and why certain crops are well- or mal-adapted to geographical regions (in terms of soils, water, and nutrients). Students will learn about different types of farming systems found around the world. From this foundation, students will be able to proficiently discuss the complex balance between people, food, and nature and understand what makes a sustainable agroecological system.
Science and Society. Students will study and discuss the specific effects of monocultures, crop diversity, food safety and security, genetically modified crops, organic agriculture, and the carbon footprint generated by specialty crop production. The effects of agricultural trade on natural resources and the environment will also be discussed.
Global Citizenship. Students will gain an understanding of food security issues at home and abroad. We will discuss the causes and consequences of over- and under-nutrition in the context of the globalization of food markets.

PLSC 400 - Plant Physiology

Course description: A survey of plant physiology and development responses and adaptation to the environment.

Learning outcomes:

Understand how plants respond and adapt to the environment and the ecological relevance of these responses.

Develop ability to think independently, critically, and logically
Improve skills in organizing and presenting experiments and in writing reports
Outcome will depend on what you put into the lectures and laboratories.

PLSC 407 - Advanced Crop Science

Course description: A study of principles of production for forage crops, corn, small grains, rice, millets, sorghums, soybeans and other oil seed crops. Their seed production, processing, distribution and the current federal and state seed control programs for these agronomic crops will also be discussed.

PLSC 425 - Green Roofs and Urban Sustainability

Course description: The integration of disciplines associated with sustainability issues. Topics range from plant science to design to policy, all of which can contribute to improving the urban environment.

Learning outcomes:

To provide exposure to the application of technology and systems management for urban sustainability.
To introduce private sector companies and state agencies who are engaged in urban sustainability projects.
To develop an understanding of green roof systems and their impact on storm water management.
To provide information about water harvesting and water quality management.
To provide insight into solar energy technology.
To introduce Sustainability Policies associated with the Department of Natural Resources and the State of Maryland.
To gain an understanding of a major corporation’s effort towards sustainable growth and development.

PLSC 452 - Environmental Horticulture

Course description: Environmental horticulture principles used in the establishment and maintenance of plant materials in residential and commercial landscapes will be addressed. The effect of soil conditions, environmental factors, and commercial practices will be discussed in relation to the growth and development of newly-installed plant materials. Field diagnostics will be used by students to assess significant problems of plant decline. Environmental sustainability will be combined with current commercial practices of storm water management, nutrient management, and irrigation management to achieve an integrated approach to plant management.

Learning outcomes:

Students will develop technical and knowledge-based skills in the required areas of study.
Students will use technical and basic learned knowledge to collaborate, solve problems and then articulate conclusions.
Students shall develop effective communication skills and demonstrate the ability to present ideas with clarity to an appropriate audience.

PLSC 460 - Application of Knowledge in Plant Sciences

Course description: A capstone course based on interactions with plant science professional and student-led class discussions. Students will apply their knowledge and experience to practical issues in the discipline, further develop critical thinking ability, and enhance their communication, teamwork, and professional skills. Topics will include nutrient management, integrated pest management, plant interactions with urban and rural ecosystems, planning of public grounds, plant biotechnology, and teaching skills.

Learning outcomes:

Apply the fundamentals of basic plant science principles to a current issue facing the environment, agricultural production, and/or plant and landscape maintenance.
Evaluate the validity of scientific information resources and apply their results to resolve scientific or applied issues.
Effectively communicate complex thoughts and findings to audiences of various scientific and non-scientific backgrounds.
Demonstrate the ability to work individually and in groups in order to resolve problems and develop solutions.
Describe the potential impact that the resolution to an issue may have on the industry/discipline as a whole.

PLSC 461 - Cultural Management of Nursery and Greenhouse Systems: Substrates

Course description: One of three 1-credit modules (PLSC461, PLSC462 and PLSC 464)covering the management techniques used in the intensive culture of plants in commercial operations. Specifically, this module covers the composition, handling, physical and chemical properties of substrates and how they should be managed to maximize plant growth.

PLSC 462 - Cultural Management of Nursery and Greenhouse Systems' Irrigation

Course description: One of three 1-credit modules (PLSC461, PLSC462 and PLSC464) covering the management techniques used in the intensive culture of plants in commercial operations. Specifically, this module covers water quantity and quality issues, water supply (basic hydraulics), irrigation system design and irrigation system evaluation (performance) to maximize water application efficiency.

PLSC 464 - Cultural Management of Nursery and Greenhouse Systems: Nutrients

Course description: One of three 1-credit modules (PLSC461, PLSC462 and PLSC464) covering the management techniques used in the intensive culture of plants in commercial operations. Specifically, this module covers the basics of fertilization, different fertilization strategies and nutrient use and efficiency, to optimize nutrient application practices in intensive plant production systems.

PLSC 471 - Forest Ecology

Course description: An understanding of the forest ecosystem, its structure and the processes that regulate it are provided. It also considers changes that occur in forests, the interaction of environment and genetics in promoting ecosystem sustainability, and the role of human influences on urban forest ecosystems.

PLSC 480 - Urban Ecology

Course description: Cities are rapidly increasing in number and size across the globe, transforming local ecosystems. This course examines urban environments as coupled social-ecological systems at multiple scales, from streets and parks to urban landscapes patterns and global patterns of biodiversity. Ecological principles are applied in the urban context, including habitats, biodiversity, ecological processes, and ecosystem services of urban environments, with applications to problems in urban land management, decision-making and design.

PLSC 618 - Advances in Research; Critiquing Primary Plant Science Literature

PLSC 619 - Seminars in Plant Science and Landscape Architecture

Learning Outcomes

Students will increase their science literacy by being exposed to a broad range of seminar topics and speakers
Students will engage in discussions on various aspects of plant science, experimental design, hypothesis testing and presentation formats. This discussion will cross multiple disciplines, such that the exposure gained will be broad and appealing to a wide range of research foci.
Students will garner an appreciation for the importance of clearly stating research questions and rationale, recognizing novel research, becoming aware of funding source as well as identifying the significance and applicability of research in a socio-economic and public health context.
Students will gain experience and develop skills in facilitating a discussion, guiding the conversation to steer the group to better understand the subject matter or discussion point, and develop communication and leadership skills and intellectual independence.

PLSC 685 - Advanced Plant Ecophysiology

Course description: Growth, productivity and survival are intimately linded to a plant's ability to adjust to its environment. The information provided in this course is designed to provide an introduction to the basic physical and psysiological principles necessary for understanding the interactions between plants and their environment. The overall objective of this course is to understand plant responses and adaptations to the environment and the ecological relevance of these responses.