Landscape Architecture, M.L.Arch.
Landscape Architecture
Head: Anna Thurmayr
Grad Chair: Anna Thurmayr
Campus Address/General Office: 201 Russell Building
Telephone: 204-474-8769
Fax: 204-474-7532
Email Address: gradarch@umanitoba.ca
Website: umanitoba.ca/architecture/department-landscape-architecture
Academic Staff: Please refer to the Landscape Architecture website for Faculty information.
Landscape Architecture Program Information
The program leading to the Master of Landscape Architecture degree at the University of Manitoba was the first graduate program in Canada.
The M.L.Arch. program is accredited by the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) which has reciprocal recognition from the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board (LAAB) in the United States. Successful completion of a program accredited by the CSLA/LAAB qualifies graduates to sit the Landscape Architecture Registration Exam (LARE), the North America-wide qualification for professional registration. In Manitoba, having an accredited degree plus two years in practice and passing required sections of the LARE is required for professional registration with the Manitoba Association of Landscape Architects (MALA).
Admission Information
Admission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies
Application and Admission Procedures are found in the Academic Guide.
Admission requirements for Master’s students are found in the Master’s Degrees General Regulations section of the Guide.
M.L.Arch. Admission Requirements
Students admitted to the program must have one of three different types of degree with a minimum Grade Point Average (or equivalent) of 3.0 from a university recognized by the Faculty of Graduate Studies:
- a 4-year degree in Landscape Architecture from a university recognized by the Faculty of Graduate Studies or a 4-year degree in Environmental Design from the University of Manitoba;
- a 4-year degree in another design discipline from a university recognized by the Faculty of Graduate Studies;
- a 4-year degree in another discipline from a university recognized by the Faculty of Graduate Studies
Application Information
Students should complete and submit their online application with supporting documentation by the date indicated on the M.L.Arch. program of study page.
Degree Requirements
Study is directed towards the analysis, planning, design, management and stewardship of natural and built environments at scales varying from whole regions to small individual sites. The program emphasizes to integrate and apply knowledge of ecology, socio-cultural factors, economics and aesthetics to create environments that are functional, innovative, sustainable, appropriate and attractive.
The Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) curriculum ranges from 39 credit hours for students who have completed required courses in the Landscape + Urbanism option of the Bachelor of Environmental Design program offered by the Faculty of Architecture to 108 Credit Hours for students with a non-design background.
Faculty of Architecture’s Cooperative Education/Integrated Work program (Co-op/I) Graduate Option
Students may apply to the Faculty of Architecture’s Cooperative Education/Integrated Work program (Co-op/I) graduate option. Students must complete a minimum of two and maximum of three 4-month work terms to have the Co-op/I option acknowledged on their graduation parchment. For each work term, students must enroll in the appropriate course: ARCG 7150 and, subsequently, ARCG 7250 and/or ARCG 7350. Each course requires submission of a written report and portfolio covering the work completed for the professional assignment. Work term courses are valued at zero credit hours and evaluated as pass/fail. These are above and beyond graduate course requirements. Additional fees will apply.
Expected Time to Graduate: 2-4 years
Progression Chart
MLA 1 (non-design background) students must take Year 1, 2, and 3 courses (108 credit hours)
MLA 2 (design – non B.E.D (L+U)) students must take Year 2, and 3 courses (72 credit hours)
MLA 3 (B.E.D. (L+U)) students must take Year 3 courses (39 credit hours)
| Year 1 | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| GRAD 7300 | Research Integrity Tutorial | 0 |
| GRAD 7500 | Academic Integrity Tutorial | 0 |
| LARC 6150 | Landscape Architecture Communication | 3 |
| EVLU 3002 | Site Planning | 3 |
| EVLU 3000 | History of Designed Environments | 3 |
| EVLU 3004 | Ecology and Design 2 | 3 |
| EVLU 3010 | Landscape and Urbanism Theory | 3 |
| EVLU 3012 | Site Morphology and Grading | 3 |
| LARC 7110 | Landscape Architecture Studio 1 1 | 9 |
| EVLU 3008 | Studio 4: Networks and Infrastructure | 9 |
| Hours | 36 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| EVLU 4000 | Philosophy, Ethics and Aesthetics | 3 |
| EVLU 4002 | Construction Materials | 3 |
| EVLU 4008 | Plants, Ecosystems and Design | 3 |
| EVLU 4016 | History of Landscape and Urbanism | 3 |
| EVLU 4018 | Principles of Urban Design | 3 |
| LARC 7222 | Landscape Architecture Studio 2 | 9 |
| EVLU 4014 | Studio 6: Emergent Futures | 9 |
| Hours | 33 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| LARC 7002 | Land Construction and Professional Practice | 3 |
| LARC 7330 | Landscape Architecture Studio 3 | 9 |
| LARC 7340 | Landscape Architecture Studio 4 | 9 |
| LARC 7250 | Landscape Architecture Theory | 3 |
| LARC 7040 | Design Research (MLA 2 & 1 non B.E.D. L+U may take this course in year 2) | 3 |
| GRAD 7030 | Master's Practicum | 0 |
| Select 12 credit hours from the following: | 12 | |
| Landscape Design Seminar 1 | ||
| Landscape Design Seminar 2 | ||
| Studio Topics in Environmental Processes (Summer Session) | ||
| Field Studies | ||
| Hours | 39 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| GRAD 7030 | Master's Practicum 3 | 0 |
| Hours | 0 | |
| Total Hours | 108 | |
| 1 | Review Winter Term studio selection after review of Fall - LARC 7110. |
Registration Information
Students should familiarize themselves with the Faculty of Graduate Studies ‘GRAD’ courses applicable to their program. If you have questions about which GRAD course(s) to register in, please consult your home department/unit.
All new students should meet with the Department Head and must meet with the Graduate Student Advisor before registering. Returning students with registration issues should make an appointment with the Graduate Student Advisor prior to the first week in September. Courses may be cancelled if there is insufficient enrolment.
Regulations
Students must meet the requirements as outlined in both Supplementary Regulation and BFAR documents as approved by Senate.
Supplementary Regulations
Individual units may require specific requirements above and beyond those of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, and students should consult unit supplementary regulations for these specific regulations.
Bona Fide Academic Requirements (BFAR)
Bona Fide Academic Requirements (BFAR) represent the core academic requirements a graduate student must acquire in order to gain, and demonstrate acquisition of, essential knowledge and skills.
All students must successfully complete:
- GRAD 7300 prior to applying to any ethics boards which are appropriate to the student’s research or within the student’s first year, whichever comes first; and
- GRAD 7500 within the first term of registration;
unless these courses have been completed previously, as per Mandatory Academic Integrity Course and Mandatory Research Integrity Online Course.
Students must also meet additional BFAR requirements that may be specified for their program.
General Regulations
All students must:
- maintain a minimum degree grade point average of 3.0 with no grade below C+,
- meet the minimum and not exceed the maximum course requirements, and
- meet the minimum and not exceed the maximum time requirements (in terms of time in program and lapse or expiration of credit of courses).
Courses
Landscape Architecture
The objectives of this course are to promote an awareness of the diversity of graphic expression and to encourage experimentation. Students are given the opportunity to practice drawing and graphic communication skills and techniques through studio exercises.
Introduction, investigation and fundamental exercises in landscape design and construction documentation, and construction administration for landscape construction projects.
A one- or two-week field study block course at the start of winter term or during mid-term break, co-requisite with winter term studios.
The focus is on critical review of the literature, the formulation of research methods appropriate to securing, analyzing, and interpreting of research in Landscape Architecture, and the examination of approaches to design as a mode of enquiry and research.
An introductory study of structure and order within nature and the built environment. Instruction in the principles of design, the basic elements of graphic and spatial composition, and the vocabulary and methods of approach to landscape architectural design within a variety of contexts. The course may include an obligatory pre-term drawing workshop and a field studies trip; location and cost to be determined on a yearly basis.
An assignment and conference course. A detailed study of some special topics in landscape architecture, including environmental sustainability, urban landscape technology, and housing form.
Field study of plant taxonomy and ecology. Approximately two weeks duration immediately prior to the beginning of fall term. For Landscape Architecture students or with consent of department head.
An exploration of analytical, conceptual, and developmental aspects of urban public places in an experimental studio setting. An emphasis is placed on design as mediation between competing demands. The studio incorporates the application of three-dimensional simulation technologies in design.
Investigation of the theoretical foundations of landscape architecture in order to understand the complex nature of its practice, to identify its disciplinary boundaries, understand its multidisciplinary nature and to investigate assumptions and myths that permeate its limited discourse.
A cross-cultural overview of significant discourses with an emphasis on the influence of critical design inquiry upon specific landscape interventions.
An examination of the means by which ideas are expressed in and through design with a focus on modes of communication, representation and engagement.
The study of design application of highly complex problem domains of the urban, suburban, town site, or rural landscape.
Comprehensive design studio involving transition between larger scale planning/design proposals for an urban/regional area and site design; includes principles of spatial modeling.
A critical examination of an individual topical study of relevance to contemporary landscape architecture. Students may take the course more than once for credit if the sub-topic differs. Course graded pass/fail.