DN120 Landscape Architecture (LDS2)
School:
Arch Plan and Env Policy UCD is at the forefront of Landscape Architecture education in Ireland. UCD is currently the only university in Ireland to offer an undergraduate degree in Landscape Architecture. This four-year Honours Level 8 BSc (Landscape Architecture) Degree Programme is accredited by the Irish Landscape Institute (ILI) and recognised by the European Foundation for Landscape Architecture (EFLA).
The four year BSc programme in Landscape Architecture leads to an IFLA accredited professional degree. Students acquire fundamental knowledge and skills in landscape research, analysis and design, enabling them to enter the profession on graduation or to continue their education and specialise in one of the various fields shaping the future of the landscape. This interdisciplinary programme emphasises understanding of built and natural landscapes, and the potential for addressing spatial problems through design.
Embedded in a research active environment this programme raises awareness of contemporary landscape issues, and of the ecological, social and cultural significance of landscapes. It introduces methods to conserve, maintain, and develop rural, urban, sub- and peri-urban landscapes at a range of scales. This programme aims to instill in students intellectual confidence imbued with a sensitivity towards the landscape. Multidisciplinary by nature Landscape Architecture has close links to different subject areas across the university, to national and international professional bodies concerned with the landscape, and maintains close relations with a range of international schools of Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Urban Design and Arts.
Studio -based learning is at the centre of the teaching. This is supported by a range of lectures, seminars and field trips. Students are encouraged to develop professional and transferable skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication through tutored and self-directed individual or small group research and project-work, allowing knowledge transfer from tutors, both academics and practitioners, to students as well as peer learning. Assessment in landscape architecture modules is largely based on continuous review of project work and student performance during the semester supported by end of term portfolio submissions and exhibitions.
- Appreciate and understand fundamental landscape precedents, historic to contemporary, key literature, and landscape and design theories.
- Communicate process, findings and design proposals verbally, graphically and in written form to their peers and wider audiences.
- Demonstrate transferable skills in research, critical thinking, problem solving, and communication.
- Develop conceptual design, planning and management solutions for protection and management of land resources.
- Envision the implications of design, planning, and management proposals on natural and cultural systems at a range of scales.
- On completion of the programme students should be able to:
Observe and analyse the built and natural landscapes of Ireland and elsewhere. - Understand problem-solving strategies in designing landscape and the capacity to apply these techniques in different situation.
- Understand the roles, responsibilities and challenges of landscape architecture in contemporary society.
- Undertake field investigations to identify significant natural and cultural features, characteristics, and systems.
- Work competently both as an individual and also as a group member in interdisciplinary and/or intercultural groups.
- Work with established research methods in gathering, analyzing and evaluating various forms of landscape related data.
UCD produces landscape architects who, in their working lives, draw on a great diversity of skills and knowledge to plan, design and manage spaces which are useful, sustainable, and fit for the specified purpose. UCD landscape architects are involved in enhancing, improving and conserving our natural and built environment, creating inspiring places to live, work and relax and transforming degraded environments. Their work combines scientific and cultural understanding, design creativity, and knowledge of man-made materials and structures with an understanding of ecology, land use and ecosystems. Their training ensures that graduates are equipped to work on diverse projects ranging from regeneration of urban and rural sites, conservation and management of heritage landscapes and waterways to the design of public and private open spaces. Landscape architects also advise on landscape resource management, the siting and potential impact of new structures in the landscape and management of site construction.
Our education model is designed to give students the creative ability and discipline to work alone or as part of a team of specialists. As graduates, they frequently work as part of large multidisciplinary teams alongside architects, engineers, planners, artists, ecologists, and surveyors. Such is the broad overview gained in UCD Landscape Architecture that graduates are often chosen as the master-planners for large-scale projects.
The UCD Landscape Architecture degree programme comprises two main elements: studio project work and lectures. Design modules make up 50% of this degree programme and students spend half of the week in the studio. Design methodology is taught and practised in studio-based landscape design modules involving on-site projects and requiring an important element of self-direction. As students progress through the programme they will learn to inform design decisions by analysis of information concerning the natural and cultural processes affecting particular case studies.
The other half of the programme involves lecture modules which provide theoretical material in the areas of ecology and the earth sciences, landscape planning, management, materials and construction techniques. In addition to their core landscape architecture modules, students can avail of elective options in UCD which will enable them to choose to study modules across a varied range of subjects from politics to philosophy, language to law and art history to maths.
Erasmus Exchange and other Non-EU Exchange opportunities exist.
The UCD Landscape Architecture degree programme is part of the European Landscape Education Exchange. This Erasmus programme is a landscape architecture education network involving 11 universities in Europe and providing opportunities for staff and student exchange. Students regularly spend time abroad, either on short field trips, or participating in intensive design studios with students from other universities, or opting to spend a semester studying at one of our partner universities.
Recent exchange opportunities include: Leibniz University Hannover, Germany, École Nationale Supérieure de la Nature et du Paysage, France, University of Applied Sciences Weihenstephan – Triesdorf, Germany.
There are many career opportunities for qualified landscape architects. Most graduates work in Landscape Architecture practice, either with private consultancies or in local government. After two years of approved graduate work experience, our graduates can sit the Irish Landscape Institute (ILI) professional practice exams leading to full professional membership of the ILI. The ILI website is at http://www.irishlandscapeinstitute.com/.
Many of the skills acquired during the Landscape Architecture programme are transferable to other areas. Some graduates progress to work in education (design or environmental science), or as landscape managers with responsibility for the upkeep, care and development of particular sites. Many others progress to further academic study in such diverse areas as spatial planning, environmental resource management or environmental psychology.
The increased emphasis at local and national level on the importance of the environment, green spaces, and sympathetic and aesthetically pleasing developments, means that landscape architecture is an expanding profession. Salaries are on a par with other professionals within conservation and the built environment, and the variety of employment opportunities makes landscape architecture an exciting option. An increasing number of students are now opting to pursue further study in the form of a PhD.
