Landscape Architecture
The Landscape Architecture program offers courses of study leading to the Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) degree. The MLA program is designed for students with a previous degree in a field unrelated to landscape architecture; for students who hold other professional degrees in architecture, planning and engineering; and for students who have received a BLA degree and are interested in advanced education in a particular area of landscape architecture. The MLA program emphasizes research, analysis, planning, design and management of landscapes ranging in scale from individual sites to entire communities and regions. The MLA program is accredited by the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects. This accreditation is also recognized by the American Society of Landscape Architects.
Administrative Staff
Director, SEDRD
Sean Kelly (101 Landscape Architecture, Ext. 56870)
sean.kelly@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Program Coordinator
Steven Clarke (120 Landscape Architecture, Ext. 52575)
steven.clarke@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Program Assistant
Diana Foolen (102B Landscape Architecture, Ext. 56576)
dfoolen@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Faculty
This list may include Regular Graduate Faculty, Associated Graduate Faculty and/or Graduate Faculty from other universities.
Nadia Amoroso
BLA, MUD Toronto, PhD Univ College London, CSLA, OALA - Associate Professor
Graduate Faculty
Afshin Ashari
BCS Islamic Azad, MLA Toronto, OALA - Assistant Professor
Graduate Faculty
Steven Clarke
BEnvD, MLA Manitoba, CSLA, BCSLA, ASLA - Assistant Professor
Graduate Faculty
Robert Corry
BLA Guelph, MLA Minnesota, PhD Michigan, CSLA, OALA - Professor
Graduate Faculty
Martin Holland
BA Dalhousie, MLA Virginia, PhD UI Urbana-Champaign, CSLA, OALA, ASLA - Associate Professor
Graduate Faculty
Sean Kelly
BLA, M.Sc. Guelph, CSLA, OALA, ASLA - Associate Professor and Director
Graduate Faculty
Karen Landman
BLA, M.Sc. Guelph, PhD Queen's, OPPI - Professor
Graduate Faculty
Cecelia Paine
BLA Illinois, MLA Michigan, FCSLA, FASLA, OALA - Professor Emeritus
Associated Graduate Faculty
Brendan Stewart
BLA Guelph, MLA UC Berkeley, CSLA, OALA, CAHP - Assistant Professor
Graduate Faculty
James R. Taylor
B.Sc.LA Iowa State, MLA UC Berkeley, FCSLA, FASLA, FCELA, OALA - Professor Emeritus
Associated Graduate Faculty
MLA Program
Admission Requirements
Admission to the MLA program is not restricted to holders of the BLA degree. Strongly motivated graduates of honours programs in a variety of disciplines may be admissible under the normal Faculty of Graduate Studies admission requirements. Well-prepared applicants will have studied broadly in their undergraduate programs.
Application deadline and additional information on the MLA program at the University of Guelph can be obtained from our internet address at: http://www.uoguelph.ca/sedrd/
Program Requirements
Students are encouraged to relate their major emphasis in the MLA to their undergraduate discipline through course work and thesis.
Required Core
For the holder of a BLA with several subsequent years of significant professional experience:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
LARC*6380 | Research Seminar | 0.25 |
LARC*6600 | Critical Inquiry & Research Analysis | 0.50 |
LARC*6610 | Research Methods | 0.50 |
LARC*6710 | Special Study | 0.50 |
One Elective | ||
Thesis |
For the holder of a BLA without such professional experience:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
LARC*6380 | Research Seminar | 0.25 |
LARC*6470 | Integrative Environmental Planning | 0.50 |
LARC*6600 | Critical Inquiry & Research Analysis | 0.50 |
LARC*6610 | Research Methods | 0.50 |
LARC*6710 | Special Study | 0.50 |
Two Electives | ||
Thesis |
For holders of degrees other than the BLA:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
LARC*2240 | Plants in the Landscape | 0.50 |
LARC*6010 | Landscape Architecture Studio I | 0.50 |
LARC*6020 | Landscape Architecture Studio II | 0.50 |
LARC*6030 | Landscape Architecture Studio III | 0.50 |
LARC*6040 | Landscape Architecture Studio IV | 0.50 |
LARC*6120 | Community Design | 0.50 |
LARC*6340 | Landscape History Seminar | 0.25 |
LARC*6360 | Professional Practice Seminar | 0.25 |
LARC*6380 | Research Seminar | 0.25 |
LARC*6430 | Landscape Resource Analysis | 0.50 |
LARC*6470 | Integrative Environmental Planning | 0.50 |
LARC*6440 | Environmental Design | 0.50 |
LARC*6600 | Critical Inquiry & Research Analysis | 0.50 |
LARC*6610 | Research Methods | 0.50 |
LARC*6710 | Special Study | 0.50 |
Thesis |
Research
Students may expect to devote at least the equivalent of two full-time semesters to their research. To avoid undue prolongation of their program, students are expected to have their thesis proposal prepared and approved at least two full semesters in advance of their anticipated degree completion date.
Thesis
For the Master of Landscape Architecture degree, students are encouraged to undertake scholarship of discovery, integration, application, and/or communication. This work typically includes identification of clear goals, adequate preparation, selection and application of appropriate methods, identification and discussion of results, effective written and graphic communication, and reflective critique.
For the Master of Landscape Architecture degree, each candidate shall submit a thesis, communicated in an appropriate form, based upon scholarship on a topic related to landscape architecture. The thesis must demonstrate the candidate’s capacity for original and independent work, and should include a critical evaluation of work that has previously been done in the candidate’s area of investigation. The thesis should emphasize any new conclusions resulting from the candidate’s scholarly investigation. Special emphasis should be placed on the communication of how the results inform landscape architecture.
Procedures
The thesis may be submitted at any time of the year, but candidates are encouraged to have the final examination well in advance of the deadline date for thesis submission. Candidates should be aware of the deadlines schedule, a copy of which may be obtained in the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Candidates should discuss their thesis manuscript with their Advisor(s) early in their final semester.
As the thesis is being written, the candidate is expected to be in regular communication with the Advisory Committee. The draft thesis is sent to the members of the Advisory Committee. When a draft is completed that the Advisory Committee recommends for examination, the final draft is sent to the members of the Master's Examination Committee and the final oral examination is scheduled and held.
Program Regulations
The Master of Landscape Architecture program has specified regulations in addition to those described in this calendar. The student is responsible for consulting the department concerning these regulations. University regulations, as specified herein, take precedence, and may not be overruled by any department regulation.
Courses
Studio and field instruction introduces the student to landscape architecture through acquisition of basic professional skills and knowledge. Topics include design theory, landscape inventory and analysis, application of the design process to projects at the site scale, graphic and oral communication.
Studio and field instruction introduces the student to basic knowledge and skills of site engineering as it relates to landscape architecture. Topics include surveying, principles of site grading and drainage, introduction to materials and methods of construction, and graphic communication.
Studio and field instruction continues the student's development of professional knowledge and skills at the site scale. Topics include site planning principles, social factors in design, introduction to principles of planting design and architectural structures, facilitation and computer applications in design.
Studio instruction emphasizes design implementation, materials and methods of construction, principles of stormwater management, construction specifications and graphic communication using computer applications.
Studio and field instruction emphasizes integration of ecological, social, cultural and historical factors in the comprehensive design of urban and special use landscapes at the neighbourhood and community scale.
A lecture/seminar course focussed on the history of Landscape Architecture. Skills emphasize the development of oral and writing skills.
A lecture/seminar course focussed on the legal, business, ethical and professional practices of Landscape Architecture professionals. Skills emphasize the development of oral and writing skills.
A seminar course focussed on the process and communication of research, influenced by the current research of the participants. Participants organize a conference to present their research results.
Integrated field and classroom instruction introduces the student to inventory and analysis of biological, physical, social and cultural elements of the landscape. Projects will incorporate principles of landscape ecology and landscape planning. Field study will require some travel at student's expense.
This course integrates field and classroom study to apply landscape ecology to current landscape problems, including analysis of regional landscapes, restoration of degraded landscapes, and application of aesthetic and ecological principles across scales in site to regional settings. Case studies component will require some travel at students' expense.
Landscape planning emphasizing the integration and interrelationships between biophysical and cultural resources, with application at a regional landscape planning scale. This course typically incorporates community-outreach projects.
Students are introduced to critical inquiry and research analysis in order to evaluate information related to landscape architecture. The focus of the course is on qualitative and quantitative analysis and interpretation. Students will review, critique, summarize, and explain academic research that is relevant for landscape architecture.
An introduction to a broad array of research methods as they apply to landscape planning and design, with a focus on the connections between research and design. Emphasis is on developing foundations for the creation of appropriate research questions.
Independent study. A proposal for the content and product required for this course must be developed in conjunction with the student's Advisory Committee.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
EDRD*6000 | Qualitative Analysis in Rural Development | 0.50 |
RPD*6170 | Rural Research Methods | 0.50 |