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Core Classes

The core curriculum will broadly expose students to the theories and techniques of planning and design. Core classes prepare students to be engaged in envisioning a more socially and environmentally balanced world through both design and planning. These courses provide the academic background for understanding a wide range of cultural and ecological aspects of the built environment, past, present and future. 

Of the 16 classes to fulfill the Environmental Design degree requirements, 7 are Core Classes required of all Environmental Design majors.

The following five Core Classes are required:

  • EnvirDes 205      Dynamics of Human Habitation (spring semester)
  • EnvirDes 394A    Writing in Environmental Design (spring semester)
  • EnvirDes 574    City Planning (fall semester)
  • EnvirDes 591B    Sustainable Cities (spring semester)
  • LandArch 547    Landscape Pattern and Process (fall semester)

Select two of following three landscape design history Core Classes:

  • EnvirDes 291A    Introduction to Environmental Design (spring semester)
  • EnvirDes 543    History I (fall semester)
  • EnvirDes 544    History II (spring semester)


All coursework for the major (core and concentration classes) must be completed with a grade of C- or better.

See degree requirements for recommended sequence of core classes.