About the Program

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Berkeley's undergraduate curriculum in Landscape Architecture centers upon creative and ecologically-tuned design and introduces students to the breadth of knowledge common to the profession. This program leads to the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Landscape Architecture and provides the necessary education for students interested in entry-level professional practice.

At the heart of the undergraduate curriculum are three core studios: LD ARCH 101, LD ARCH 102, and LD ARCH 103. The core studios ensure that undergraduate students benefit from the department's full range of interests and expertise.

Licensure and Accreditation

The BA degree is certified by the State of California and counts as part of the education/experience requirement of the Uniform National Examination (U.N.E.) as well as for the Landscape Architects Registration Examination (L.A.R.E.) for licensure. Please visit the Landscape Architects Technical Committee and the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards for more information about licensure in California.

Admission to the Major

Students must declare one of the CED majors at the time of application to the College. However, current UC Berkeley students may apply to change into the College of Environmental Design. Transfer applicants must complete two years worth of lower division coursework to be considered for admission to CED. For information regarding admission to the major for freshmen, transfer students, and current students who wish to change majors or colleges, please see the College of Environmental Design (CED) page in this Bulletin or the CED website.

History and Theory of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design Minor Program

This program introduces students to conceptual issues of landscape architecture. A letter grade of C- or higher in ENV DES 1, LD ARCH 1, or LD ARCH 12 is required to declare the minor. To declare, students must submit the CED Request to Add Minor Form, available on the CED website. Open to all majors at UC Berkeley except Landscape Architecture.

Other Minors Offered by the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning

The Department sponsors a minor in Sustainable Design, in conjunction with the Department of Architecture. For further information regarding this minor program, please see the program's page in this Guide.

Visit Department Website

Major Requirements

In addition to the University, campus, and college requirements, listed on the College Requirements tab, students must fulfill the below requirements specific to their major program.

The Landscape Architecture major requirements differ by students’ admit year to UC Berkeley. The major requirements listed below are the most recent. In the Berkeley Academic Guide Archive, refer to the year you were admitted to UC Berkeley for your major requirements.

General Guidelines

1. All lower division courses taken in fulfillment of major requirements must be completed with a grade of C- or better.
2. Courses taken to fulfill lower division major requirements may also be used to fulfill Seven-Course Breadth.
3. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 must be maintained in upper and lower division courses used to fulfill the major requirements.
4. A minimum overall GPA of 2.0 for all courses taken at UC Berkeley is required for graduation.
5. Courses used to fulfill an upper division major requirement may not simultaneously fulfill a breadth requirement.
6. Up to two upper division courses taken at another institution, including an approved study abroad program, may be applied to the major requirements below (if transferable and approved in advance).

For information regarding residence and unit requirements, please see the College Requirements tab.

Lower Division Major Requirements

Freshman and sophomore year (three courses)

Upper Division Major Requirements

Twelve courses.

¹

This course simultaneously satisfies the Physical Science breadth requirement (see the College Requirements tab).

²

This course simultaneously satisfies the Biological Science breadth requirement (see the College Requirements tab).

³

LD ARCH 133 can be waived for students who complete LD ARCH 1 at UC Berkeley

Minor Requirements

Students who have a strong interest in an area of study outside their major often decide to complete a minor program. 

General Guidelines

1. All minors must be declared no later than one semester before a student's Expected Graduation Term (EGT).
2. A letter grade of C- or higher in ENV DES 1, LD ARCH 1, or LD ARCH 12 is required to declare the minor. To declare, students must submit the CED Minor Declaration Form, available on the CED website. 
   1. DEADLINE TO SUBMIT FORM: One semester prior to a students final semester.
3. Each course used to fulfill minor requirements must be completed with a letter grade of C- or above.
4. Students must earn a 2.0 GPA in the upper division requirements for the minor.
5. Any course used in fulfillment of minor requirements may also be used to fulfill major and upper division CED non-major requirements.
6. Courses used to fulfill a breadth requirement may also be used to satisfy minor requirements.
7. Students may apply the non-CED version of a CED cross-listed course towards the minor.
8. Students may use up to two courses taken abroad to fulfill upper division minor requirements, with faculty approval of the individual courses.

History and Theory of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning Minor ​Requirements

College Requirements

For College Requirements, please refer to the College of Environmental Design.

Plan of Study

Each student’s plan will vary, depending on interests. Students should see their advisor if they are interested in applying for graduate school, studying abroad, attending summer school, pursuing a minor or second major, or anything else.

For more detailed information regarding the courses listed below (e.g., elective information, GPA requirements, etc.), please see the Major Requirements tab.

¹ LD ARCH 1 at UCB satisfies LDARCH 133.

²  Students must complete 120 units to graduate. 

Student Learning Goals

Learning Goals of the Major

• To communicate effectively in graphic, written, and verbal formats.
• To understand the relationship of the history and theory of landscape architecture.
• To acquire knowledge of the basic fundamentals of environmental design, particularly the implications of social and natural factors.
• To apply design principles in a range of sites and scales.

Major Map

Major Maps help undergraduate students discover academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities at UC Berkeley based on intended major or field of interest. Developed by the Division of Undergraduate Education in collaboration with academic departments, these experience maps will help you:

• Explore your major and gain a better understanding of your field of study

• Connect with people and programs that inspire and sustain your creativity, drive, curiosity and success

• Discover opportunities for independent inquiry, enterprise, and creative expression

• Engage locally and globally to broaden your perspectives and change the world

• Reflect on your academic career and prepare for life after Berkeley

Use the major map below as a guide to planning your undergraduate journey and designing your own unique Berkeley experience.

View the Landscape Architecture Major Map PDF.

Advising

The CED Office of Undergraduate Advising provides a wide array of programmatic and individual advising services to prospective and current students as well as to students in other colleges who are pursuing CED minors or taking CED courses. The professional advising team assists students with a range of issues including course selection, academic decision-making, achieving personal and academic goals, and maximizing the Berkeley experience.

Advising Staff

Architecture Major Advisor: Mel Barbers
250 Bauer Wurster Hall
mbarbers@berkeley.edu

Landscape Architecture Major Advisor: Kristian Dawson
250 Bauer Wurster Hall
kristian.dawson@berkeley.edu

Sustainable Environmental Design Major Advisor: Heather Grothjan
250 Bauer Wurster Hall
heather.grothjan@berkeley.edu

Urban Studies Major Advisor: Kristian Dawson
250 Bauer Wurster Hall
kristian.dawson@berkeley.edu

College Evaluator: Heather Grothjan
250 Bauer Wurster Hall
heather.grothjan@berkeley.edu
 

Undergraduate Advising Director: Omar Ramirez
250 Bauer Wurster Hall
oramirez@berkeley.edu
 

Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies: Kyle Steinfeld
345 Bauer Wurster Hall
ksteinfe@berkeley.edu

Advising Office

Fall/spring: Monday through Friday, 10 to noon (office opens at 9 a.m.) & 1 to 4 p.m.
Summer: Monday through Friday, 10 to noon  & 1 to 3 p.m.

Address

Office of Undergraduate Advising
College of Environmental Design
250 Bauer Wurster Hall #1800
University of California
Berkeley, CA 94720-1800
cedadvising@berkeley.edu

CED Career Services

The CED Career Services Center (CSC) offers personalized career counseling, a yearly CED Career Fair, and a wide variety of professional development workshops on topics such as licensure, internships, and applying for graduate school. To schedule an appointment with the Career Counselor or for more information on CED CSC, please click here.

Office of Undergraduate Advising

• Newly-Admitted Students
• Current Students
• Graduation and Commencement
• Services and Contract
• Articulation
• Policies and Resources
• Forms and Documents

Mission

The College of Environmental Design (CED) Office of Undergraduate Advising:

• Supports students holistically as they earn their degree,
• Advocates for just and equitable policies and practices,
• Connects current and prospective students with resources and opportunities,
• Fosters a sense of belonging and community.

Advising Values

The CED Office of Undergraduate Advising aspires to the following core values:

Student-Centered

We provide support services centered on student self-actualization. We aim to hold a welcoming space in which students are encouraged to explore their minds and their hearts, do their best work, realize their talents and passions, and achieve their goals. We put the student voice and experience first.

Justice & Equity

We actively seek to eradicate all forms of individual and institutionalized discrimination and oppression. We aim to provide students with an equitable experience in complete appreciation of their identities, economic status, and immigration status.

Health & Well-Being

We strive to build and sustain a culture in which our community can thrive in all aspects of life: intellectual, emotional, social, physical, occupational, spiritual and environmental.

Courage & Vulnerability

By learning from our own experiences, educating ourselves on developments in the field, collaborating with our communities, and taking strategic risks, we aim to improve our advising services and the student experience. We are committed to continuous self-reflection, growth, and development.

Academic Opportunities

Student Groups and Organizations

The college provides opportunities for students to be involved in student chapters of professional organizations, such as the American Institute of Architects (AIAS), the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), as well as other student groups like the Chican@/Latin@ Architecture Student Association (CASA), Global Architecture Brigades, and more. For information regarding student groups, please see the Getting Involved page of the CED website.

Study Abroad

The College of Environmental Design (CED) encourages all undergraduates in the college to study abroad. Whether students are interested in fulfilling general education requirements, taking courses related to their major/career, or simply living and studying in a country that is of interest to them, Berkeley Study Abroad will work with students to make it happen. For information about Study Abroad programs, please see the Berkeley Study Abroad website.

CED Career Services

The CED Career Services Center (CSC) offers personalized career counseling, a yearly CED Career Fair, and a wide variety of professional-development workshops on topics such as licensure, internships, and applying for graduate school. For further information, please see the CED Career Services website.

Prizes and Awards

CED offers a number of annual prizes, awards, scholarships, fellowships, and grants to its currently enrolled students. Some of these prizes and awards are college-wide, and some are geared toward students in specific majors. For general information regarding CED prizes and awards, including application instructions and a deadline calendar, please click here.

CED Events and Exhibits Calendar

CED and Wurster Hall is home to a variety of events, lectures, and exhibitions that welcome professors, professionals, and friends to the college to discuss and celebrate the community and professions. Through events and media CED is constantly creating ways to keep the college connected and up-to-date. To view this calendar, please click here.

CED on Facebook

CED Lecture Series

The departments of Architecture, City and Regional Planning, and Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning each sponsor lecture series, which offers students the opportunity to hear internationally-acclaimed speakers. These speakers often also participate in classes and seminars as part of their visit to campus. For a schedule of speakers and events in these lecture series, please see the CED website.

WursterLife

WursterLife is a closed-network platform that enables CED students and alumni from across the globe to connect with classmates, find alumni by practice area, geographic region, affinity group, or shared interest, share professional updates, news, photos, events, and jobs, enhance your career through your alumni connections, and find ways to stay engaged with the UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design.

Research Opportunities, Internships, Public Service, and Volunteer Opportunities

Check out the CED Office of Undergraduate Advising website for additional opportunities.

Courses

Landscape Architecture

Faculty and Instructors

* Indicates this faculty member is the recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Award.

Faculty

Danika Cooper, Assistant Professor. Landscape architecture.

Iryna Dronova, Assistant Professor. Urbanization, remote sensing, spatial analysis, urban heat exposure, green infrastructure, resilience, restoration, wetland and urban landscape ecology.
Research Profile

Kristina Hill, Associate Professor. Urban planning, urban design, urban ecology, surface hydrology, groundwater, sea level rise, climate change, adaptation, adaptation to flooding.
Research Profile

Richard L. Hindle, Assistant Professor. Patents, landscape architecture, ecology, technology, innovation, fabrication, horticulture.
Research Profile

Walter J. Hood, Professor. Urban design, community development, landscape architecture, environmental planning, landscape design, citizen participation, design of architecture and landscape.
Research Profile

G. Mathias Kondolf, Professor. Ecological restoration, landscape architecture, environmental planning, fluvial geomorphology, hydrology, environmental geology, environmental impact assessment, riparian zone management.
Research Profile

Karl Kullmann, Associate Professor. Landscape and urban design, landscape and urban theory, digital representation .
Research Profile

Elizabeth S. Macdonald, Professor. Urban design.
Research Profile

David Meyer, Associate Adjunct Professor.

Louise A. Mozingo, Professor. Urban design and planning, design history, social and cultural factors in landscape design.
Research Profile

John Radke, Associate Professor. City and regional planning, landscape architecture and environmental planning, geographic information systems, database design and construction, spatial analysis, pattern recognition computational morphology.
Research Profile

Chip Sullivan, Professor. Garden history, symbolism, creative and imagination development, perceptual engagements, inclusive methods and mediums to express landscapes.

Lecturers

Joan Chaplick, Lecturer.

Agostino Di Tommaso, Lecturer.

Daphne Edwards, Lecturer.

Daniel S. Iacofano, Lecturer.

Kelley D. Lemon, Lecturer.

Nathan Lozier, Lecturer.

Kimberlee Stryker, Lecturer.

Emeritus Faculty

Peter C. Bosselmann, Professor Emeritus. Urban design, architecture, city and regional planning, landscape architecture.
Research Profile

Clare Cooper Marcus, Professor Emeritus. Architecture, landscape architecture, environmental planning, medium-density housing, public housing modernization, public open-space design, children_ _s environments, housing for the elderly.
Research Profile

Randolph T. Hester, Professor Emeritus.

Linda L. Jewell, Professor Emeritus. Urban design, landscape architecture, environmental planning, landscapes and structures, on-site design decisions, site planning, sustainable construction.
Research Profile

Raymond Lifchez, Professor Emeritus.

* Joe R. McBride, Professor Emeritus. Urban forestry, forest ecology.
Research Profile

Michael Southworth, Professor Emeritus.

Robert H. Twiss, Professor Emeritus.