Curriculum

Studio review and critique session

Signature and innovative, our core curriculum provides an intensive and balanced introduction to the traditional professions within the broad field of environmental design.

Anchored through a combination of lecture courses and studio instruction, our core curriculum builds upon studios where students solve design problems at interrelated scales of the built environment: buildings, landscapes and urban systems.

Architecture, environmental product design, landscape architecture and sustainable planning and urban design majors become solidified in the final four semesters through upper-division coursework. This allows students to pursue in-depth projects and gain more specialized skills necessary for pre-professional work or graduate study.

Major Curriculum Guides

Curious about the path you'll take as an environmental design student? Check out our curriculum guides listed below. We've separated the guides by major. Each file can be downloaded for your convenience and can be used as a guide when registering for your classes. If you have any questions about classes or major requirements, please reach out to an advisor. 

 

Architecture

Focus on the design and development of the built environment, encompassing broad topics of sites, materiality, structural systems, modern technologies, human interconnectedness and social interaction.

ARCH Curriculum Guide 

Environmental Product Design

Take cues and information from the disciplines of architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, and work toward a better, more sustainable environment for all. 

EPOD Curriculum Guide

Landscape Architecture

Design environments in urban, rural and agricultural contexts at all scales. Learn strategies to repair and strengthen ecological systems and support human health and well-being.

LAND Curriculum Guide 

Planning & Urban Design

Examine issues of sustainability and social justice in communities, cities and regions around the world. Examine topics such as housing, transportation, urban design and planning. 

PLAN Curriculum Guide 

Community Engagement

Community engagement builds on existing environmental design strengths. These strengths are highlighted across all studio courses and most recognizable during our community engagement courses. Community engagement courses offer students opportunities to explore personal interests through projects with community clients.

Thematic Structure

The undergraduate Program in Environmental Design encourages interdisciplinary study and collaborative work on real-world problems. It also encourages a breadth of knowledge in the liberal arts and in other general studies, which prepares students to be critical thinkers and communicators.