Admissions and registration enquiries
Faculty of Architecture Graduate Student Services
204-474-8769
gradarch@umanitoba.ca
Department of Landscape Architecture
Landscape Architecture is a creative profession concerned with analysis, planning, design and management of the land at scales varying from whole regions to small individual sites.
News in Landscape Architecture
Graduate program: Master of Landscape Architecture
Established in 1972, the Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) program was the first graduate program of its kind in Canada. More than 420 students have graduated, many of whom now occupy senior positions in the profession.
Landscape architects integrate and apply knowledge of ecology, socio-cultural factors, economics and aesthetics to create environments that are functional, innovative, sustainable, appropriate and attractive. Desirable personal attributes include a creative imagination, problem-solving skills and good graphics and verbal communication skills.
The program requires a minimum of two full years of study to complete. Approximately 50 students are currently enrolled in the MLA program. They originate from all regions of Canada and from many other countries.
Students entering the program are required to complete between 42 and 111 credit hours, depending on academic background. Students with a bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture or a Bachelor in Environmental Design with a Landscape + Urbanism option (BEnvD, L+U) may be eligible to complete their program of study over two years, while other students will take three or more years to complete the program.
Accreditation
The Landscape Architecture program at the University of Manitoba is an accredited program that has met the standards of the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Council (LAAC). The LAAC team reviewed the graduate program in Landscape Architecture and granted the program a full six-year accreditation in March 2015. The program was found to provide the required instruction, faculty, facilities and financial support to deliver a sound program as demanded by the profession and the public.
Programs accredited by the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) through LAAC are also recognized by the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board (LAAB) of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).
Courses
Courses for students with BEnvD (L+U)
Required courses
- LARC 7002: Landscape Construction and Professional Practice (3 credit hours)
- LARC 7330: LA Studio 3 (9 credit hours)
- LARC 7340: LA Studio 4 (9 credit hours)
- LARC 7250: LA Theory (3 credit hours)
- LARC 7040: Design Research (3 credit hours)
- LARC 7400: Landscape Topics (3 credit hours)
One of:
Elective courses (12 credit hours required)
- LARC 7310: LD Seminar 1 (3 credit hours)
- LARC 7320: LD Seminar 2 (3 credit hours)
- ARCG 7102: Summer Topic Studio (6 credit hours)
- LARC 7020: Field Studies (Summer session, 3 credit hours)
- Elective (3 credit hours)
Total credit hours: 42
Courses for students with design degree excluding BEnvD (L+U)
First year
- EVLU 4000: Philosophy, Ethics + Aesthetics (3 credit hours)
- EVLU 4002: Construction Materials (3 credit hours)
- EVLU 4008: Plant Ecosystems + Design (3 credit hours)
- EVLU 4016: History of Landscape + Urbanism (3 credit hours)
- EVLU 4018: Principles of Urban Design (3 credit hours)
- LARC 7222: LA Studio 2 (9 credit hours)
- EVLU 4014: L + U Studio 6 (9 credit hours)
Second year
Required courses
- LARC 7002: Landscape Construction and Professional Practice (3 credit hours)
- LARC 7330: LA Studio 3 (9 credit hours)
- LARC 7340: LA Studio 4 (9 credit hours)
- LARC 7250: LA Theory (3 credit hours)
- LARC 7040: Design Research (3 credit hours)
- LARC 7400: Landscape Topics (3 credit hours)
One of:
Elective courses (12 credit hours required)
- LARC 7310: LD Seminar 1 (3 credit hours)
- LARC 7320: LD Seminar 2 (3 credit hours)
- ARCG 7102: Summer Topic Studio (6 credit hours)
- LARC 7020: Field Studies (Summer session, 3 credit hours)
- Elective (3 credit hours)
Total credit hours: 75
Courses for students with non-design undergraduate degree
First year
- Drawing Workshop (Fall, pre-term, 0 credit hours)
- Digital Drawing Workshop (Winter, pre-term, 0 credit hours)
- LARC 6150 LA Communication (3 credit hours)
- EVLU 3002 Site Planning (3 credit hours)
- EVLU 3000 History of Designed Environments (3 credit hours)
- EVLU 3004 Ecology + Design 2 (3 credit hours)
- EVLU 3010 Landscape + Urbanism Theory (3 credit hours)
- EVLU 3012 Site Morphology + Grading (3 credit hours)
- LARC 7110 LA Studio 1 (9 credit hours)
- EVLU 3008 L + U Studio 4 (9 credit hours)
Second year
- EVLU 4000: Philosophy, Ethics + Aesthetics (3 credit hours)
- EVLU 4002: Construction Materials (3 credit hours)
- EVLU 4008: Plant Ecosystems + Design (3 credit hours)
- EVLU 4016: History of Landscape + Urbanism (3 credit hours)
- EVLU 4018: Principles of Urban Design (3 credit hours)
- LARC 7222: LA Studio 2 (9 credit hours)
- EVLU 4014: L + U Studio 6 (9 credit hours)
Third year
Required courses
- LARC 7002: Landscape Construction and Professional Practice (3 credit hours)
- LARC 7330: LA Studio 3 (9 credit hours)
- LARC 7340: LA Studio 4 (9 credit hours)
- LARC 7250: LA Theory (3 credit hours)
- LARC 7040: Design Research (3 credit hours)
- LARC 7400: Landscape Topics (3 credit hours)
One of:
Elective courses (12 credit hours required)
- LARC 7310: LD Seminar 1 (3 credit hours)
- LARC 7320: LD Seminar 2 (3 credit hours)
- ARCG 7102: Summer Topic Studio (6 credit hours)
- LARC 7020: Field Studies (Summer session, 3 credit hours)
- Elective (3 credit hours)
Total credit hours: 111
Laptop and software requirements
CADLab is the main provider of computer support for the Faculty of Architecture. They provide equipment loans, maintain the computer lab, the printing & scanning facilities, as well as provide technical help to staff and students. CADLab has worked with all the departments to establish specifications. CADLab provides only very basic assistance with troubleshooting student owned equipment.
All students are responsible for installing and configuring the software on their personal laptops. If you have questions or concerns please contact Chris Leigh, CADLab Coordinator, at 204-474-9945 or by e-mail Chris.Leigh@umanitoba.ca
'Computers on Campus' at the University of Manitoba bookstore is an authorized Dell reseller familiar with the faculty laptop requirements and have educational discounts available for students. Please contact Computers on Campus at 204-474-7000 or computers.on.campus@umanitoba.ca for details.
| Recommended laptop configuration: | |
| PC: 9th Gen or better Intel Core i7 16GB RAM or better 1080p or 4K display AMD or NVIDIA Graphics 512GB SSD or larger Example: Dell Precision 5550 approx. $2700 |
Mac: Apple MacBook Pro 16" 2.6Ghz core i7 or better 16GB RAM or better Radeon Pro 5300 M w/4GB 512GB SSD or larger (approx. $2999) |
While it is possible to run Windows on Mac laptops, it is cumbersome to do so. Due to the technical complexities involved with properly installing and configuring Windows on a MacBook Pro, CADLab recommends that students purchase a Windows PC Laptop rather than a MacBook Pro.
MacBook models which do not have dedicated graphics hardware are not powerful enough to run much of the required CAD software.This includes all MacBook Air and all 13" Pro models.
Students are responsible for installing and configuring their own copy of Microsoft Windows on their Mac should they require it. You can use either VMWare or Boot Camp to do this, see below for the comparison between these two methods.
| VMWare | Boot Camp |
Pros:
Cons:
|
Pros:
Cons:
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| For performance and compatibility reasons, CADLab recommends Boot Camp over VMWare | |
Software requirements
Required:
- Adobe Creative Cloud
- Microsoft Office
Required (Senior years only):
- ArcGIS Pro*
Recommended:
- AutoCAD (2020 Mac or 2021 Windows)
- Rhinoceros 3D v6*
- Vectorworks 2020
Fore more information on where to obtain specific software check the Faculty of Architecture software list.
Programs marked with a * require Microsoft Windows.
Rhino and AutoCAD for Mac are missing some features and plugins compared to the Windows version.
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Undergraduate program: Environmental Design
For students who do not already have an undergraduate degree, the Environmental Design Program offers a four year bachelor's degree, including a Landscape + Urbanism option.
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PhD program
The PhD in Design and Planning is for students wishing to make a significant contribution to knowledge in design and planning fields. The program is intended for students intending to pursue independent investigation, original research and creative scholarship.
Current students
Resources and requirements for students currently enrolled in the MLA program.
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MLA student manual 2020 - 2021 (PDF)
This manual is intended to familiarize new and already enrolled students with the operation of the Department of Landscape Architecture and the MLA program.
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Thesis/practicum guidelines 2020 - 2021 (PDF)
The final step in completing the MLA degree is to undertake a thesis or practicum.
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Thesis/practicum presentation booking form (PDF)
A Thesis/practicum presentation booking form must be completed at least 10 working days before all presentations.
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Department events 2020 - 2021
Department of Landscape Architecture events 2020 - 2021
Contact Us
Department of Landscape Architecture
Faculty of Architecture
201 John A. Russell Building
84 Curry Place
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2M6
204-474-8769
204-474-7532