Environmental Design
Take me to the Environmental Design program information on the Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning Department website.
Undergraduate Academic Advisor: Patricia McGirr,
102 Hills House North,
413.545.6621
The Field
As population density increases and natural resources are depleted and squandered, decisions affecting the sustainability and aesthetics of land and other natural resources assume increased importance. Both public and private sectors must be involved if the challenge of balancing development pressures with environmental protection interests is to be realized. Traditionally, opportunities for specific professional involvement have been found in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, and regional planning. Additional professional opportunities are available in the fields of horticulture, environmental law, real estate development, and many other disciplines that share an environmental concern. For professionals in related fields such as law, education, community development or finance, the sound theoretical understanding of environmental issues gained through the environmental design program contributes and informs design and planning decision-making processes and values.
The Major
Through the four concentration options, the environmental design program provides historical, theoretical, and professional perspectives in the liberal arts and science fields, emphasizing environmental issues. This training enables graduates of the program to make informed and effective land-use decisions that can have a lasting impact on the built and natural environments.
The curriculum consists of a series of core courses that are required of all environmental design students, as well as a group of concentration courses specific to each of the four areas of study available within the program. Through the core courses, students gain an understanding of the factors and processes needed to identify and evaluate solutions to environmental design problems. These courses include topics in landscape architecture history, city planning, and ecological design and planning. The major requires sixteen classes: seven core courses and nine concentration courses.
The four areas of concentration are horticultural, landscape, urban, and built environment studies. Students who choose to concentrate in horticultural studies learn how to apply sound ecological and scientific principles in conserving nature and adding beauty through the use of plants. This concentration combines the scientific knowledge of horticulture with the theoretical and practical aspects of landscape design, technology, and business management.
In the landscape studies concentration, students study landscape planning policy and conservation. Acting within a framework of sociological and ecological principles, landscape designers and planners seek ways to conserve or revitalize the contextual landscapes of existing communities.
The urban studies concentration explores the evolving forms of cities and towns and the issues of their residents. The urban planner develops alternative methods of achieving community goals, anticipating developmental impacts, and planning for a sustainable future.
The built environment studies concentration has a pre-architecture studies focus. Students pursue their interest in the relationship between the environment and built forms.
A minor in Environmental Design is available.
Honors
Students may pursue honors opportunities within the major. Contact the honors coordinator for more information.
Internships and Study Abroad
Majors are encouraged to study abroad if it supports their academic and career goals. Students should work closely with their academic advisor to choose the appropriate courses in preparation. Study abroad often develops a higher level of maturity which employers may seek. Visit the International Programs Office for more informaiton.
In addition, the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences encourages students to acquire practical experience—as much as possible—related to their majors. Internships, or participating in Community Service Learning options can only help students prepare for employment or graduate study. Be sure to work closely with your academic advisor.
Career Opportunities
The Environmental Design program provides a sound theoretical understanding of both environmental and human issues as a foundation of knowledge for a wide range of design and planning fields. There is a demand, locally and globally, for concerned and knowledgeable individuals to enter the environmental design professions, and to oversee and direct the building of safer and more beautiful places in which to work and live. People from a wide range of design and planning fields — architects and landscape architects, lawyers, horticulturists, educators, private citizens on town zoning boards — are involved in this decision-making process to humanize cities, protect farm land, and conserve significant landscape resources.
More Information
Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning
109 Hills North
413.545.2255
Undergraduate Academic Advisor: Patricia McGirr, 102 Hills House North, 413.545.6621
