Graduate Courses
The faculty has approval to offer the following courses in the academic years 2013–2014 and 2014–2015; however, not all courses are taught each semester or summer session. Students should consult the Course Schedule to determine which courses and topics will be offered during a particular semester or summer session. The Course Schedule may also reflect changes made to the course inventory after the publication of this catalog.
Landscape Architecture: LAR
LAR 380. Summer Atelier in Landscape Architecture.
An introduction to the fundamental components of landscape architecture and graphic communication. Students are introduced to basic drawing and representational skills. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, admission to the Master of Landscape Architecture program, and consent of the graduate adviser.
LAR 381R. Topics in Visual Communication.
Advanced topics in media and interpretation, such as freehand drawing, measured drawings, aspects of computer graphics, geographic information systems, and photography. Six laboratory hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of the graduate adviser.
LAR 682. Design and Visual Studies in Landscape Architecture I.
Core design studio introducing landscape architectural design, representation, and theoretical practices. Fifteen laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, Landscape Architecture 380, credit or registration for Landscape Architecture 385K and 388K, admission to the Master of Landscape Architecture program, and consent of the graduate adviser.
LAR 682T. Design and Visual Studies in Landscape Architecture II.
Core design studio continuing the study of the issues, methods, and theories introduced in Landscape Architecture 682. Fifteen laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Landscape Architecture 682 with a grade of at least C, credit or registration for Landscape Architecture 385L and 388L, admission to the Master of Landscape Architecture degree program, and consent of the graduate adviser.
LAR 384. Topics in Horticulture and Plants in Design.
Study of habitat, site and technical conditions, and characteristics of plant typologies and their application to landscape practice. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of the graduate adviser.
LAR 385. Topics in Natural Systems.
Elective seminars in aspects of environmental analysis, ecological and systemic approaches, sustainable development, and applied methods of geographic information systems. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of the graduate adviser.
LAR 385K. Technology Workshop I.
Introduces the principles, processes, and practices of site manipulation, description, and construction techniques. Includes systems of measurement, grading, earthwork, site circulation, and site drainage, and examines the representation, application, and integration of site-related operations. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of the graduate adviser.
LAR 385L. Technology Workshop II.
Materials and methods of landscape construction, advanced site work techniques, and theories for material selection and application within the design process. Examines the representation, application, and integration of detail and design intent. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, Landscape Architecture 385K with a grade of at least C, and consent of the graduate adviser.
LAR 385M. Advanced Seminar in Landscape Technology.
Examines advanced technologies and construction issues in landscape architecture, including the application and measurement of landscape operations within design. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, Landscape Architecture 385L with a grade of at least C, and consent of the graduate adviser.
LAR 385N. Native Plants.
Plant identification and principles of ecology using Central Texas habitats and plants as examples, including how soil, climate, and management affect plant success. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Landscape Architecture 384 (Topic: Native Plants) and 385N may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and admission to the Master of Landscape Architecture program or consent of the graduate adviser.
LAR 386. Professional Practice.
Ethical, legal, economic, and administrative processes and responsibilities of the landscape architect practitioner. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of the graduate adviser.
LAR 387. Landscape Ecology.
Introduction to foundational concepts in landscape ecology, with emphasis on structure, function, and change of ecological systems. Addresses design and planning in relation to biological and cultural resources. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of the graduate adviser.
LAR 388. Topics in Landscape Architecture History and Theory.
Seminars on advanced topics in history and theory, including analysis, readings, and critique of significant positions, practice, and discourse. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and Landscape Architecture 388L or consent of the graduate adviser.
LAR 388K. History and Theories of Landscape Architecture I.
Landscape architecture in formal, social, and cultural terms in the Western and Eastern worlds. Covers the development of ideas and principles related to context, designer, and text. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of the graduate adviser.
LAR 388L. History and Theories of Landscape Architecture II.
Landscape architecture from 1700 to the present, with a focus on design language, theoretical frameworks, and the critical components of contemporary landscape design and thought. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, Landscape Architecture 388K with a grade of at least C, and consent of the graduate adviser.
LAR 388M. Postprofessional Seminar in Landscape Architecture.
Examines fundamental aspects about the design of the built environment, design-related research, and design practices. Explores representation, process, evaluation, change, impact, and synthesis for design decision making based upon cultural values. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing; admission to the Master of Landscape Architecture (first professional) degree program with advanced standing, or admission to the Master of Landscape Architecture (postprofessional) degree program; and consent of the graduate adviser.
LAR 389, 689. Research in Landscape Architecture.
Investigation of topics in landscape architecture selected by the student with approval of the Graduate Studies Committee. Independent study. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of the graduate adviser.
LAR 694T. Landscape Architectural Design.
Core design studio presenting the issues, methods, and theories central to the representation, planning, and design of large-scale landscapes. Fifteen laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, Landscape Architecture 682T with a grade of at least C, credit or registration for Landscape Architecture 385M and 385N, and consent of the graduate adviser.
LAR 695. Comprehensive Landscape Studio.
Core design studio that examines relationships between theory and practice. Students have the opportunity to study a landscape project from initial research and site investigation to detailed design, implementation, and technical detail. Fifteen laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, Landscape Architecture 385M and 694T with a grade of at least C in each, and consent of the graduate adviser.
LAR 696. Advanced Design.
Elective studios offering students an opportunity to explore particular topics in landscape, often in collaboration with architecture and community and regional planning students. Fifteen laboratory hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, Landscape Architecture 695 with a grade of at least C, and consent of the graduate adviser.
LAR 397. Master's Design Study in Landscape Architecture--Preparation.
Investigation of topics in landscape architecture selected by the student in preparation for Landscape Architecture 697K. The equivalent of three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of the graduate adviser.
LAR 697K. Master's Design Study in Landscape Architecture.
An independent design project in which the investigation, design process, and critical evaluation are formulated by the student. The project must have a theoretical and research base, provide a comprehensive exploration of a landscape design topic, and offer insight for the furthering of landscape studies. Eighteen laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, Landscape Architecture 696 and 397, and consent of the graduate adviser.