Landscape Architecture (B.L.A.)
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Outcome Statements for Landscape Architecture Majors
I. KNOWLEDGE
a. DEPTH AND APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE - enable landscape architecture students to develop creativity, professional and technical skills and
knowledge of design theory and of the role landscape architecture plays within the complex web of inter-relationships among people, places and underlying systems.
Expected Outcomes:
- Landscape architecture students will acquire knowledge and skills necessary to obtain employment as a design professional in private or public practice or graduate/professional training in landscape architecture.
- All students will be able to apply knowledge and skills to:
- Work with design principles, concepts and theories
central to the profession with an emphasis on ecology and sustainable design.- Master the use of equipment and software and develop technical skills.
- Establish competency in the areas of design affecting the health, safety and welfare of the public.
- Meet codes and standards established by governing bodies and professional societies.
- Develop functional knowledge of laws and administrative systems pertinent to planning, design and construction applications.
- Integrate and apply knowledge and skills to solve specific design problems.
- Students will acquire state-of-the-art training in the applications of CAD, GIS, visual simulation, digital presentation and desktop 13 publishing necessary to meet technology demands of professional practice.
- All students will be able to apply technology applications to:
- Be able to integrate CAD, GIS, Imaging and Publishing programs with studio projects and for reports and presentations.
b. QUANTITATIVE COMPETENCE - identify and use appropriate quantitative
methods to analyze physical, biological or social phenomena.
Expected Outcomes:
- Understand and use mathematical concepts of algebra, geometry, statistics and trigonometry to solve quantitative problems related to landscape architecture.
- Students will be able to apply mathematical methods to design, surveying, site engineering, structures and materials construction to:
- Use statistical methods for understanding behaviors and preferences associated with design.
- Apply trigonometric functions for property and topographic surveys.
- Integrate algebraic and trigonometric functions for roadway alignment and earthwork calculations.
- Produce material and area estimates along with construction cost estimates
c. METHODS OF INQUIRY - understand and use methods of inquiry appropriate to the profession of landscape architecture.
Expected Outcomes:
- Students will integrate a design process as a means to achieve problem solving skills.
- Students will perform inventory and analysis to inform programmatic goals and become conversant with a design problems, opportunities and constraints.
- Students will develop methods for obtaining data necessary for understanding user/stakeholder needs and desires
d. PROBLEM SOLVING - acquire knowledge, skill, and ingenuity to solve complex design problems.
Expected Outcomes:
- Develop competency in using the design process. Work with the design process as a means to for problem solving at a variety of scales and complexities.
- Students will be able to apply a structured design process to:
- Analyze/gather facts and information.
- Define/determine goals and objectives.
- Identify programmatic requirements
- Explore and generate design/generate alternatives.
- Critique/evaluate and choose options.
- Implement/realize design
II. COMMUNICATION
a. INFORMATION MANAGEMENT - gather and interpret information from diverse
sources.
Expected Outcomes:
- Compile, organize and interpret information obtained from library sources and from the internet, CAD drawings and GIS.
- Analyze information for design and construction applications.
- Students will be able to:
- Use both current and traditional sources, methods and technologies.
- Obtain and work with GIS data.
- Integrate CAD with GIS data for analysis and design.
b. COMMUNICATION - communicate clearly and effectively using a variety of
techniques and methods. Students receive instruction in oral, written and graphic communication.
Expected Outcomes:
- This training will provide landscape architecture majors with the tools to communicate clearly and professionally using a variety of methods.
- All students will be able to:
- Speak in an articulate manner and present ideas and knowledge effectively and concisely.
- Write logically and effectively for diverse audiences.
- Employ strong graphic communication skills which are both hand and computer generated to visually communicate ideas.
- To listen effectively and respond appropriately.
- Use digital technologies such as PowerPoint and Photoshop and illustration programs for effective presentations both in class and in public venues.
c. MULTIDISCIPLINARY PERSPECTIVE - recognize the value of participating in multidisciplinary teams. The landscape architecture program encourages multidisciplinary studio and laboratory collaboration among the related disciplines on campus which include Planning, Civil Engineering, Natural Resources Science and Plant Sciences.
Expected Outcomes:
- Students will learn the value and importance of a multi-disciplinary approach to design and planning.
- Students will be able to:
- Understand the skills, perspectives and scopes of related disciplines.
- Work effectively as team participants.
- Interact effectively with peers and professionals in related fields.
III. PERSONAL GROWTH
a. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES - understand and apply ethical principles to issues,
problems, and professional practices. The landscape architecture
program provides systematic training and education for students in the
practice of landscape architecture so that they may develop
environmental and social values associated with ecology, environmental
protection, conservation, restoration and stewardship.
Expected Outcomes:
- Students will understand the concepts of ecology, stewardship and ethics and equity and apply these principles to design problems and in professional practice.
- Upon completion of the program, students will:
- Have a broad understanding of the inter-relationship of ecology and human action in the environment.
- Have a working knowledge and appreciation of sustainable practices.
- Develop a personal environmental ethic.
- Be conversant with the ethical standards of landscape architecture.
b. GLOBAL AWARENESS - develop an awareness of global community and
ecology and emphasize links between local actions and their physical,
biological and social implications.
Expected Outcomes:
- Students will become familiar with natural systems and how they have been modified by cultural activity over time.
- Students will explore sustainable alternatives to minimize impacts on the ecology of local and global ecosystems.
- Students will recognize and appreciate the diversity of human cultures and their relationships to local and global ecosystems.
- Students will understand the relationships of scale when studying local and global environmental impacts.
c. PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT - develop a sense of responsibility to self,
community and society.
Expected Outcomes:
- Students will use reflection and self-evaluation to set goals for personal development.
- Upon completion of the program all students will have been exposed to and worked with a wide range of professional and cultural issues.
- Graduating students will have been exposed to public participation in a variety of settings.
- Students who have taken advantage of internship opportunities will acquire first-hand experience of both office and field operations.
- Students who have taken advantage of travel abroad opportunities will be enlightened by the cultural interaction and also the experience of international travel and learning.
Quick Links
- Campus Contacts
- Learning Outcomes Oversight Committee (LOOC)
- Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education (RIBGHE)
