Course Planning
Always be sure to use your APAS report in conjunction with your Four-Year Sample Plan to ensure timely graduation. While some courses may be taken in terms other than where they appear on your four-year plan, others must be taken in sequence. In addition, some courses are offered only during fall and spring terms (these are marked on your plan). If you have any questions, your adviser is your best information source.
You will need to select one of two environmental design tracks to pursue. The Landscape Design track focuses on work on the residential and small commercial scale, with an emphasis on plant materials and business. The Landscape Planning track focuses on urban and regional planning issues.
Four-Year Sample Plan for Landscape Design Track
Four-Year Sample Plan for Landscape Planning Track
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Technology
The College of Design provides hardware and software information for students. CDes works with the U of M Bookstore to provide this technology.
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Academic Advising
Valerie Tvrdik Anderson: students with last names beginning with A-K.
Chris Schlichting: students with last names beginning with L-Z.
To schedule an advising appointment, please call 612-626-3690 or stop by 107 Rapson Hall. Note: Advisers do not make their own appointments.
You are required to have an advising appointment with your CDes academic adviser prior to registering for classes. You may fulfill this requirement by meeting with your adviser in an individual or group advising capacity at any point during your admission term.
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Study Away
We highly encourage students to consider spending a semester away in their sophomore or junior year or joining a shorter excursion during any summer, winter breakm or May Term. Exposure to other cultures is a critical component of every designer’s education. Students interested in a study away experience should work closely with their CDes academic adviser and the U of M Learning Abroad Center to learn about their options and outline their course of study. Careful program and course planning will help you stay on track for timely graduation.
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Student Groups
Consider joining a CDes or U of M student organization. Popular options for CDes students majoring in environmental design include:
MN Chapter of the American Society of Landscape architecture students (MASLAS)
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Working
Environmental Design is a demanding major. It requires a serious time commitment for success. Although we recognize that many students need to work to finance their undergraduate education, the Department of Landscape Architecture faculty members strongly recommend that you work no more than 10 hours per week. Maintaining a high GPA is critical for acceptance to a graduate program or professional program (note: a professional degree is required for licensure as a Landscape Architect).
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