Landscape Architecture Courses

LAA 4358 Senior Independent Project
8 credits Studio
Prerequisites: completion of previous design studios and construction courses

General
This final semester-long project allows students to expand personal interests and talents, to hone decision-making abilities, and to sharpen professional skills through well-rounded, comprehensive completion of individual projects. Emphasis will be upon independent decision-making processes and organization. This is in addition to the usual expectations of technical competence, graphic and verbal communications, analytical and design skills, and ethics. The vehicle is an independent project, chosen and developed by the student but approved by the faculty. Faculty serve as advisors to students.

Objectives

Verification of entry-level skills
Independent decision-making as evidenced by time management and project management

Performance
Prior to the beginning of the semester, students will present a proposal to the faculty for determination if the project is appropriate for This vehicle must be approved in the fall. Its character and scope are very flexible; however, it should encompass analysis, synthesis, concept development, planning and design, design development, and management. The emphasis and products will vary with individual projects and the student’s personal and professional priorities. Reasons for rejection as a vehicle may include:

· Too small in scale or scope.

· Too complex for a semester-long project

· Emphasis/potential products are too limited (such as merely a planting plan or management plan) with little or

no opportunities to explore other areas in a meaningful manner.

· Lacks "design" phases as a major component (too much emphasis on planning, construction documents, etc.)

· The project has been done before with little or no change in program, site or user.

· Vital information is unavailable and unlikely to appear (lack of architecture/program/etc. that is necessary for

the scale and scope of the specific proposal).

· The proposal itself is unclear and disorganized, indicating the student does not understand the project

As this is an individual project, products will vary. At the end of the semester, all students must make a verbal presentation of their work to a jury. They will also produce a book that documents their process and products.

In accordance with departmental policy, a grade of C or above is needed for graduation.

Text
No required text, but a literature search and final bibliography are expected, based upon client information, libraries, texts from previous courses, etc.