MSc Programme in Landscape Architecture
The programme is organised in accordance with Danish Ministerial Order no. 338 of 6 May 2004 on bachelor and master’s programmes (candidatus) at universities. The programme is offered under the Natural Science Study Board.
Graduation from the programme confers the degree Master of Science (MSc) in Landscape Architecture. In Danish: cand.hort.arch (candidatus/candidata hortorum architecturae).
Chapter 1. The programme’s objective and competence profile
1. 1 The programme’s objective
The main objective of the MSc in Landscape Architecture is to educate graduates who:
- have in-depth knowledge of the history, theory and methodology of landscape architecture as well as competences within applied biology, technical science, law, economy and organisation in relation to landscape architecture,
- are capable of undertaking the architectural craft, including independently analysing, outlining and presenting landscape architectural solutions to complex problems,
- are capable of organising and carrying through the management of parks and other green areas on the basis of a theoretical, practical scientific and strategic foundation.
- Landscape architecture includes programming, planning, projecting and managing of urban spaces, gardens, parks and other green areas.
1.2 The programme’s general profile
The MSc in Landscape Architecture is an academic and creative programme which empirically and theoretically qualifies students and provides them with academic and professional competences as landscape architects. In this way, graduates become capable of examining societal phenomena of a landscape architectural nature and of solving both small and large complex landscape architectural problems – both through skilled management and execution of projects of a high architectural quality.
The programme is an extension of the BSc programme and provides the opportunity of both specialisation and differentiation which means that students can either obtain broad landscape architectural competences or immerse themselves in special subjects.
The core competences of the programme are shaping, planning and management of parks and urban landscapes with a view to developing the architectural and environmental values on the basis of a basic knowledge of aesthetic, biological, social, technical and management-related conditions. These core competences are further developed during the programme and result in a large degree of professionalism.
1.3 The programme’s employment prospects
The employment prospects for the graduates primarily lie within programming, planning, projecting and managing areas described within the subject area. This typically involves:
- Green structures, parks and gardens in urban spaces
- Outdoor areas in connection with homes, institutions and commercial buildings
- City markets, squares and streets
- Sports grounds, cemeteries and allotment gardens
- Forests and lakes in the vicinity of cities and re-establishment of raw material quarries
- Open land leisure grounds and recreational areas
Working as project managers in collaboration with other professional groups, the landscape architects are also able to plan, manage, prepare and carry through urban and landscape changes, e.g. in connection with urban development, urban renewal, consideration of the transition between urban and rural areas, forestation and care planning in conservation areas as well as placement of footpaths, roads, buildings, wind turbines etc. in open land.
The MSc programme typically qualifies graduates for positions as practising landscape architects or as municipality landscape architects. In both cases, often as members of the managerial staff. Other typical employment examples include cemetery managers, gardening consultants or employment within other areas of the public sector other than municipalities, e.g. regions, government institutions and ministries. The programme also qualifies graduates to conduct research and teach within the subject area.
1.4 The programme’s competence profile
During the master’s programme, the student will acquire the following knowledge, skills and competences within landscape architecture. In addition, the student will acquire a number of individual qualifications through elective courses and writing an MSc thesis. After completion of the programme, a person holding an MSc in Landscape Architecture should be able to:
1.4.1 Knowledge
- Understand and take a critical approach to the knowledge within the discipline and identify professional issues
- Recognise and discuss the societal importance of landscape architecture, including its health-related significance in different landscape and urban areas
- Describe the aspects of public administration and strategic planning that are related to landscape planning and/or park management
- Summarise theories, principles and research findings from basic disciplines as well as fields of application
1.4.2 Skills
- Have command of the methodologies and tools of the discipline as well as have the general skills associated with employment within the field
- Evaluate and choose from among the discipline’s theories, methodologies, tools and general skills
- Analyse spaces and works within their context, including the urban landscapes that form the backdrop for movement and intervals, experiences, memories and recognition
- Carry out construction and materials analyses as well as prepare programmes and projects to transform landscape and urban spaces
- Discuss issues associated with people’s utilisation of natural resources, including the concept of sustainability in connection with planning and management of public green spaces
- Communicate own specialist knowledge clearly and precisely – in writing and orally – to various target groups
- Select and use appropriate information and communications technology in all relevant work processes
1.4.3 Competences
- Propose hypotheses and analyse, programme and plan the development of public green spaces
- Take into account the human dimension in the development of physical environments
- Evaluate the quality of landscape architecture projects – both own and those of others
- See and think spatially, socially and artistically in a variety of contexts
- Reflect on the importance that the practice of the trade has from a historical, societal and ethical perspective
- Respect democratic decision-making processes and the work, knowledge, opinions and cultures of others
- Handle work and development situations that are complex, unpredictable and require new solution models
- Participate in research at a high level of excellence
- Independently implement and carry out mono-disciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration and assume professional responsibility
- Independently assess and organise own learning processes and assume responsibility for own professional development with a view to life-long learning
Graduates who have completed the Landscape Planning specialisation must in addition be able to
- Analyse spaces and works as a backdrop for movement and intervals, experiences, memories and recognition. Particular focus is on the transformation of neglected, polluted and otherwise damaged rural and urban spaces like coast, harbour and industrial areas.
- Prepare programmes and projects in which terrains, constructions, water cycles and the growing conditions of plants are given a high priority.
Graduates who have completed the Park Management specialisation must in addition be able to
- Manage public, semi-public and private green areas in or in relation to urban environments. The programme has a Danish as well as an international appeal.
Chapter 2. Degree programme content
Landscape Planning specialisation
|
Year 2 |
Block 1 |
|
| Block 2 |
** |
| Block 3 |
Thesis (30 or 45 credits) ** |
| Block 4 |
Park Management specialisation
|
Year 2 |
Block 1 |
|
| Block 2 |
** |
| Block 3 |
Thesis (30 or 45 credits) ** |
| Block 4 |
| |
Compulsory |
| |
Core courses and thesis |
| |
Elective courses |
** Compulsory courses, core courses and the thesis must comprise at least 90 credits
2.1 Content
The programme is set at 120 credits. The following courses are compulsory:
Specialisation either within Landscape Planning
310054 Theory and Method in Landscape Architecture – 15 credits
310053 Thematic Course: Landscape Planning – 15 credits
Or specialisation within Park Management
310027 Thematic Course: Urban Forestry and Urban Greening – 15 credits
310062 Health Design – 15 credits
The programme is completed with a 30- or 45-credit thesis. In connection with a thesis of 45 credits, experimental work must be included.
Students must choose courses within the group of core courses so that the compulsory course(s) (either Theory and Method in Landscape Architecture and Thematic Course: Landscape Planning (30 credits) or Thematic Course: Urban Forestry and Urban Greening (15 credits)), the thesis (30 or 45 credits) as well as core courses total at least 90 credits. Compulsory courses, core courses and the thesis constitute the core subjects of the programme.
The courses below are core courses:
240074 Arboriculture – 7.5 credits
400036 Project Management – 7.5 credits
310059 Advanced Planting Design – 7.5 credits
- SLU Communicative Planning, Design and Management of Urban Woodland - 15 credits
- SLU/LIFE: Written assignment
310032 Terrain and Technology in Landscape Architecture - 15 credits
310042 Urban Woodland Design and Management – 7.5 credits
310028 Urban Ecosystems: Structures, Functions and Designs – 7.5 credits
400023 Conflict Management – 7.5 credits
290019 Forvaltningsret – 7.5 credits
310066 Planlægning i det åbne land - 7.5 credits
310054 Theory and Method in Landscape Architecture - 15 credits
310053 Thematic course: Landscape Planning - 15 credits
310027 Thematic Course: Urban Forestry and Urban Greening - 15 credits
310014 Mind and Nature – 7.5 credits
240026 Landscape Ecology
310062 Health design – 15 credits
- The universities’ joint course on city planning
It is possible to apply for an opportunity to study one semester at The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture or at the Aarhus School of Architecture. Such studies will be included in the group of core courses.
The programme may include 400040 Erhvervsprojekt / Project in Practice.
Chapter 3. Admission requirements and admission
3.1 Admission requirements
The BSc Programme in Landscape Architecture (Landskabsarkitektur) (both core modules) qualifies graduates directly for admission to the MSc Programme in Landscape Architecture.
Students holding one of the following BSc degrees are admitted to the MSc in Landscape Architecture with specialisation within Park Management:
BSc in Natural Resources (Naturressourcer) with the core module Nature Management (Naturforvaltning)
BSc in Forest and Landscape Engineering (Skov- og landskabsingeniør)
Students holding the BSc degree in Architecture (Arkitektur) are admitted to the MSc in Landscape Architecture with specialisation within Landscape Planning.
Bachelors from other faculties under University of Copenhagen or from other national and international universities must have equivalent qualifications and their admission will be assessed on an individual basis.
3.2 Admission
Students from the Faculty of Life Science are admitted to the MSc in Landscape Architecture twice a year (1 September and 1 February). Other students are admitted once a year (in September).
Transfer Agreement 2007-2008
For students admitted before 1 September 2008 the course 310062 Health Design isn't compulsory. If the course is taken anyway it can be a part of the group of core courses.
Furthermore, for the above mentionned students it's optional to write in either Danish or English.
Camilla Volden Van, - siden er sidst opdateret d.30. juni 2010