Master of Landscape Architecture

Course MC-LARCH3Y (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Year and Campus: 2010 - Parkville
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate

Coordinator

Dr Jillian Walliss

Contact

Environments and Design Student Centre

T: +61 3 8344 6417/9862

F: +61 3 8344 5532

E: msd-courseadvice@unimelb.edu.au

Course Overview: Landscape architecture acts as a bridge between the arts and sciences, design and environment like no other discipline. Landscape architecture engages in core ecological, cultural and social issues in both urban and rural societies. Two accredited programs are offered at the University of Melbourne: a 300 and 200 point Masters of Landscape Architecture. The 300 point program allows students with no undergraduate background in landscape architecture to enrol directly in a masters program and is a distinctive feature of the University of Melbourne. The first year of study is carefully structured to allow students from diverse backgrounds to develop the required knowledge and foundations in design, history and the physical systems before joining the 200 point masters students in later years. The 200 point Master of Landscape Architecture is offered to students who have an undergraduate background in landscape architecture.

Landscape Architecture at the University of Melbourne is underpinned by a strong grounding in design, ecology and urbanism. These strengths are paralleled by a comprehensive history and theory stream encompassing contemporary landscape architecture and urban design theory, cross cultural perspectives of space and urbanism and the history of landscape architecture and architecture.
Objectives:

Students in our course will gain:

  • Design knowledge from a studio-based course that contributes to the improvement of our built and natural environments;
  • Critical engagement with parameters of international contemporary practice;
  • The abilities to work within interdisciplinary teams, and excellent communication abilities of concepts and design potentials;
  • Opportunities for international studios;
  • Wide elective choices;
  • The ability to use resources, materials and technologies to develop responsible and ecologically sound and up-to-date design solution; and,
  • Knowledge of landscape architectural history and theory and critical skills to interpret historic ideas and contemporary trends.
The course structure is designed both to expand on existing qualifications in the field and to provide opportunities for an internationally recognized professional qualification for those from other fields. Major areas of study are underpinned by highly qualified staff actively involved in cross-disciplinary research in these areas. Major subjects are supplemented by electives from allied disciplines including urban design, urban planning, architecture, property and construction, as well as subjects designed to explore cross-disciplinary and international practice.
Course Structure & Available Subjects:

All students must complete

Core subjects - 250 points

Landscape architecture electives - 25 points

Multidisciplinary electives - 25 points

Subject Options:

Core subjects (250 points)

The following subjects are required for accreditation purposes unless equivalence can be demonstrated:

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
25
Semester 2
12.50

Landscape architecture electives (25 points)

Students select subjects totalling 25 credit points from the following list of landscape elective subjects.

(Students may vary subject selection in consultation with the Course Coordinator.)

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Not offered in 2010
12.50

Multidisciplinary electives (25 points)

Students may choose any masters level subjects including -
  • Melbourne School of Design graduate subjects without prerequisites. To view list click here.
  • Melbourne School of Design graduate subjects with prerequisites (provided prerequisites are met). To view list click here.
  • Any University of Melbourne graduate subject provided pre-requisites are met and written approval is submitted to the Environments and Design Student Centre.
To view a sample course plan go to: http://www.abp.unimelb.edu.au/environments-and-design-students/landscape.html

Entry Requirements:


1. The Selection Committee will evaluate the applicant’s ability to pursue the course successfully using the following criteria –
· a minimum three-year undergraduate degree with a weighted average of at least 65% in the final two years, or equivalent; and
· submission of a personal statement of up to 1000 words outlining relevant prior study and work experience, and motivation to undertake the course.

2. The Selection Committee may conduct interviews and tests and may call for referee reports and employer references to elucidate any of the matters referred to above.

Students who intend to apply for advanced standing on the basis of previous studies in design should also submit a design portfolio in a format as specified by the selection committee*.

*The design portfolio of not more than eight A3 pages should focus on design work rather than, for example, life or still-life drawing skills. Portfolios should be drawn at least partly from design studio subject(s) the applicant has completed. Applicants submitting work done in the context of employment should explain their role in the work produced with brief notes. Images and drawings presented in the portfolio should be reproduced at sufficient scale and resolution to be clearly readable. Elaborate formats that reduce the available page space for the design images should be avoided. It is most helpful to see a variety of kinds of drawings and images: two-dimensional (plans, sections, elevations) and three-dimensional studies, photographs of physical models, etc.

For information about the two year Master of Landscape Architecture program, designed for students with an undergraduate degree in Landscape Architecture (or equivalent) click here.

For information about how to apply click here.
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Description, Course Objectives and Generic Skills of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Graduate Attributes:

The Master of Landscape Architecture has been specifically designed around the University of Melbourne’s graduate coursework, graduate attributes and professional challenges. The program will undergo a regular review process for quality assurance.

Professional Accreditation: This course has been designed to meet the requirements of the professional associations of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects and the International Federation of Landscape Architects, and will undergo regular review for quality assurance.
Generic Skills:

The Master of Landscape Architecture will incorporate research-led teaching, problem-based collaborative learning, professional engagement, and a diverse mature cohort. Graduates of the Master of Landscape Architecture will have high level professional and intellectual capabilities enabling them to demonstrate leadership, a commitment to life-long learning, and professional integrity.

Links to further information: http://www.abp.unimelb.edu.au/graduate-school/master-of-landscape-architecture.html

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