SDC Undergraduate Courses Landscape Design (BA Degree)
SDC Undergraduate Courses Landscape Design (BA Degree) Syllabus
Landscape architects design outdoor and public spaces to achieve environmental, social-behavioral, or aesthetic outcomes. This program equips students to analyse existing social, ecological, and geological conditions and processes in the landscape, and then conceptualize and design solutions for each environment. Landscape architecture is a multi-disciplinary field, incorporating aspects of horticulture, botany, design and architecture, industrial design, geology, environmental psychology, geography, and ecology.This program has been developed and is taught by leading International and local practioneers in this field.
LEVEL 1
Design Fundamentals I
Students explore the relationships between art, nature and creativity while observing ideas of urbanism and infrastructure of modern times. Making use of materials, space, rhythm and measure in illustrations and model-making students begin to conceptualise and create outdoor designs.
Land, Water and Vegetative systems I
Discovery of physiographic regions commonly found within local, urban areas. Students experience the materials located within this regions and are able to include these within their conceptualising vocabulary.
Material Transformation I
Extraction of natural materials and the dynamic properties of each. The module examines the cultivation, propagation and management of plants. Students examine materials such as rock and wood and the usage of these in urban environments.
Landform Design I
Students examine ground-plane manipulation and the designers ability to transform and create 3 dimensional earth spaces while considering environmental aspects such as drainage, aspect and growth.
Planting Design I
Using cultural and technical information students develop an understanding of basic horticulture. Students create a planting plan, using selection criteria based on their research of soils, environment, budget and other factors explored in the program.
Conceptualising & Illustration I
Students are introduced to the methods of conceptualisation and implementation of these creative ideas by means of illustration using the design elements.
Landscape Drafting I Landscape Architecture History I
Students observe historical contexts of landscape architecture from the Renaissance to present day.
Ecology and Materials I
This module explores sustainability and habit restoration in an urban context, hydrology, green architecture and soil technology.
Digital Visualisation 1
AutoCAD Starting with 2D students develop their skills in using software such as Adobe Photoshop and illustrator and progress to Autodesk’s AutoCAD software, students learn the art of expressing their creative ideas and designs digitally.
LEVEL 2
Social & Cultural Landscapes II
Students analyse social and cultural aspects of local and International regions with a view of how these impact landscape design and functionality.
Landscape Construction II
Students are introduced to the legal requirements before commencing construction. Local documentation applications and filing, design approval processes, bidding, understanding contracts and conflict resolution. The module progresses to developing a layout plan, cost and estimating and using consultants. Contemporary
Landscape Architecture II
Focus on recent contemporary works. Students are encouraged to critically observe such works and evaluate the elements which either make them successful or provide room for improvement.
Digital Visualisation II :
3D Modelling Using a variety of state of the art software students are able to create virtual landscapes that realistically represent their design concepts
Site Engineering and Water Management II
Building on landform manipulation this module focuses more on vehicle and pedestrian, road and paths, drainage and utility systems. Water management studies look at drainage characteristics and how they impact a site.
Landscape Drafting II
Design Theory II
Students are exposed to the structure and format of a research document, this includes research methodologies, topic analysis, academic writing programmes and formal proposal writing.
LEVEL 3
Advanced Landscape Construction III
With live site visits students explore more deeply material usage, sequence of construction, maintenance of materials and possible recyclability of each.
Professional Practice III
Project Management III
Portfolio Development III
Using projects and practical applications from the program students will compile a professional and creative portfolio and body of work useful in marketing themselves within industry.
Internship III (Not Mandatory – extra credit)
Landscape Drafting III:
Design Theory III: Dissertation
Students are asked to complete a formal dissertation on the topic of their choice, as related to Landscape Design theories.
Full fee:
€ 1150
$ 1240