# 2026-2027 Course Catalog
**Source**: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/faa/landscape-architecture-bla/
**Parent**: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/
*for the degree of Bachelor of Landscape Architecture*
---
- [Department website](https://landarch.illinois.edu/)
- [Department faculty](https://landarch.illinois.edu/faculty/)
- [Overview of College Admissions & Requirements](https://faa.illinois.edu/student-resources/future-students/applying-to-faa/)
- [College website](https://faa.illinois.edu/)
- [ladept@illinois.edu](mailto:ladept@illinois.edu)
The department's administrative office, upper-level studios, faculty offices, and classrooms are located in Temple Hoyne Buell Hall. The department also has a studio is located in Mumford Hall.
*for the degree of Bachelor of Landscape Architecture*
---
**Graduation Requirements**
Minimum hours required for graduation:124 hours.
**University Requirements**
Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.
The university and residency requirements can be found in the [Student Code](https://studentcode.illinois.edu/article3/part8/3-801/) (§ 3-801) and in the [Academic Catalog](https://catalog.illinois.edu/general-information/degree-general-education-requirements/).
**General Education Requirements**
Follows the [campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements](https://courses.illinois.edu/gened/DEFAULT/DEFAULT). Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the unit.
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Composition I | | 4-6 |
| Advanced Composition | | 3 |
| fulfilled by [LA 314](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LA%20314 "LA 314") | | |
| Humanities & the Arts (6 hours) | | 6 |
| fulfilled by [LA 314](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LA%20314 "LA 314") and any other course approved as Humanities & the Arts | | |
| Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours) | | 6 |
| fulfilled by any Life Science; and any Physical Science | | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours) | | 6 |
| Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course) | | 3 |
| Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course) | | 3 |
| Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) | | 3 |
| fulfilled by [LA 314](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LA%20314 "LA 314") | | |
| Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I) | | 6-10 |
| fulfilled by [STAT 100](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=STAT%20100 "STAT 100") or [MATH 115](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=MATH%20115 "MATH 115") or [MATH 220](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=MATH%20220 "MATH 220") or [MATH 221](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=MATH%20221 "MATH 221") or [MATH 234](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=MATH%20234 "MATH 234"); and any other course approved as Quantitative Reasoning I or II | | |
| Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required) | | 0-15 |
**Landscape Architecture Curriculum**
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- |
| College Orientation | | 1 |
| [FAA 101](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=FAA%20101 "FAA 101") | Arts at Illinois | |
| Math, pick one from the following list | | 3 min |
| [STAT 100](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=STAT%20100 "STAT 100") | Statistics | |
| [MATH 115](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=MATH%20115 "MATH 115") | Preparation for Calculus | |
| [MATH 220](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=MATH%20220 "MATH 220") | Calculus | |
| [MATH 221](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=MATH%20221 "MATH 221") | Calculus I | |
| [MATH 234](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=MATH%20234 "MATH 234") | Calculus for Business I | |
| or any other QR1 with approval of advisor | | |
| Physical Science | | 3 |
| Any Natural Science & Technology: Physical Sciences general education course | | |
| Life Science | | 3 |
| Any Natural Science & Technology: Life Sciences general education course | | |
| Construction, Plant Materials & Design, History, & Design Communications | | 29 |
| [LA 101](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LA%20101 "LA 101") | Introduction to Landscape Arch | 2 |
| [LA 241](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LA%20241 "LA 241") | Landform Design & Construction | 3 |
| [LA 250](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LA%20250 "LA 250") | Environmental Site Analysis | 3 |
| [LA 280](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LA%20280 "LA 280") | Design Communications I | 3 |
| [LA 281](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LA%20281 "LA 281") | Design Communications II | 3 |
| [LA 314](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LA%20314 "LA 314") | History of World Landscapes | 4 |
| [LA 342](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LA%20342 "LA 342") | Site Engineering | 4 |
| [LA 343](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LA%20343 "LA 343") | Landscape Construction | 4 |
| [LA 452](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LA%20452 "LA 452") | Planting Design | 3 |
| Design Studio Courses | | 30 |
| [LA 233](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LA%20233 "LA 233") | Foundation Design Studio | 5 |
| [LA 234](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LA%20234 "LA 234") | Site Design Studio | 5 |
| [LA 335](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LA%20335 "LA 335") | Community & Open Space Studio | 5 |
| [LA 336](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LA%20336 "LA 336") | Design Workshop Studio I | 5 |
| [LA 437](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LA%20437 "LA 437") | Regional Design Studio | 5 |
| [LA 438](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LA%20438 "LA 438") | Design Workshop Studio II | 5 |
| Professional Preparation | | 2 |
| [LA 346](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LA%20346 "LA 346") | Professional Practice | |
| Urban & Regional Planning | | 3 |
| Any UP course | | |
| Horticulture | | 4 |
| [LA 352](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LA%20352 "LA 352") | Woody Landscape Plants | |
| Focused Electives | | 18 |
| Focused electives are required of all BLA students to graduate and must be approved by the BLA Advisor during an advising appointment. | | |
**Summary of Credits for the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture in Landscape Architecture**
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- |
| General Education | | |
| Landscape Architecture Curriculum | | 78 |
| Focused Electives | | 18 |
| Free Electives | | |
| Total Credit Hours Required | | 124 |
*for the degree of Bachelor of Landscape Architecture*
---
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.
Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. This may require up to three semesters of language depending on high school coursework or placement. See the corresponding section on the [Degree and General Education Requirements page](https://catalog.illinois.edu/general-information/degree-general-education-requirements/).
| First Year | |
| --- | --- |
| First Semester | Hours |
| [FAA 101](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=FAA%20101 "FAA 101") | 1 |
| [LA 101](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LA%20101 "LA 101") | 2 |
| [LA 280](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LA%20280 "LA 280") | 3 |
| Life Science course | 3 |
| Composition I or Language Other Than English (3rd level) | 4 |
| Free Elective course | 1 |
| | 14 |
| Total Hours 14 | |
| First Year | |
| --- | --- |
| Second Semester | Hours |
| [LA 281](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LA%20281 "LA 281") | 3 |
| BLA Math Requirement course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Physical Science course | 3 |
| Language Other Than English (3rd level) or Composition I | 4 |
| | 16 |
| Total Hours 16 | |
| Second Year | |
| --- | --- |
| First Semester | Hours |
| [LA 233](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LA%20233 "LA 233") | 5 |
| [LA 241](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LA%20241 "LA 241") | 3 |
| Any UP course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| | 17 |
| Total Hours 17 | |
| Second Year | |
| --- | --- |
| Second Semester | Hours |
| [LA 234](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LA%20234 "LA 234") | 5 |
| [LA 250](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LA%20250 "LA 250") | 3 |
| Focused Elective | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 1 |
| | 16 |
| Total Hours 16 | |
| Third Year | |
| --- | --- |
| First Semester | Hours |
| [LA 335](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LA%20335 "LA 335") | 5 |
| [LA 342](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LA%20342 "LA 342") | 4 |
| [LA 346](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LA%20346 "LA 346") | 2 |
| [LA 352](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LA%20352 "LA 352") | 4 |
| | 15 |
| Total Hours 15 | |
| Third Year | |
| --- | --- |
| Second Semester | Hours |
| [LA 336](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LA%20336 "LA 336") | 5 |
| [LA 343](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LA%20343 "LA 343") | 4 |
| LA 314 | 4 |
| Focused Elective | 3 |
| | 16 |
| Total Hours 16 | |
| Fourth Year | |
| --- | --- |
| First Semester | Hours |
| [LA 437](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LA%20437 "LA 437") | 5 |
| [LA 452](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LA%20452 "LA 452") | 3 |
| Focused Elective | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| | 14 |
| Total Hours 14 | |
| Fourth Year | |
| --- | --- |
| Second Semester | Hours |
| [LA 438](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LA%20438 "LA 438") | 5 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Focused Elective | 4 |
| Focused Elective | 4 |
| | 16 |
| Total Hours 16 | |
**Total Hours: 124**
*for the degree of Bachelor of Landscape Architecture*
---
Bachelor of Landscape Architecture students will:
1. **Build Knowledge & Develop Reasoning Skills** in applying broad and deep knowledge across academic disciplines and fields and using this knowledge to develop design proposals.
2. Apply knowledge of the **Natural World** to guide design decisions and activities taking into account natural resource constraints that impact land use.
3. **Strengthen Social Awareness**to better understand the social and cultural influences on human behavior and the social, political, economic, and legal institutions which influence land-use and design decisions.
4. Employ **Creative Inquiry and Discovery** in addition to a range of analytical skills, and general knowledge to develop design proposals, solve problems, generate new ideas, and produce creative work.
5. Demonstrate **Responsible Leadership**in working with the land and the people for whom we design.
*for the degree of Bachelor of Landscape Architecture*
---
## **Landscape Architecture**
[Landscape Architecture Department website](https://landarch.illinois.edu/)\
[Landscape Architecture faculty](https://landarch.illinois.edu/faculty/)\
101 Temple Hoyne Buell Hall, 611 Lorado Taft Drive, Champaign, IL 61820\
(217) 333-0176\
[LADept@illinois.edu](mailto:LADept@illinois.edu)
## **College of Fine & Applied Arts**
[Fine & Applied Arts](https://faa.illinois.edu)
## **Admissions**
[FAA College Admissions & Requirements](https://catalog.illinois.edu/schools/faa/)\
[University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Undergrad Admissions](https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/)