MASTER OF ADVANCED STUDIES IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
The Master of Advanced Studies in Landscape Architecture (M.A.S.L.A.) introduces students to independent research that will enable them to examine specific issues relating to landscape architecture. This degree program allows students to investigate an area of knowledge within the broad field of landscape architecture in collaboration with faculty engaged in research or consulting activity in that area. The research program requires the student to synthesize existing knowledge in landscape architecture and related fields. This synthesis will result in a thesis that must be approved by the student’s supervisor and committee members, and submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
The MASLA is a 31-credit program. Full-time students normally complete this program within 2-3 academic years, depending on whether they have a pre-existing professional design degree or need to take a qualifying year. This post-professional program is not intended to fulfill the requirements for membership as established by the British Columbia Society of Landscape Architects or similar organizations in other provinces of Canada or the United States. Those desiring professional credentials should enroll in the Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) program.
RESEARCH
Research and thesis development may be focused within the broad areas of:
Advanced Design, Design Theory, Design Education;
Environmental Design, or Planning; or
Management at the site specific scale.
Recent MASLA theses have covered such topics as:
The Role of Memory in Place-Making
The Role of Sustainability in a Democracy
The Integration of the Inside and Outside
Dialogic Methodologies for Sustainable Participatory Design
An Ecological Model for Sustainable Community Design
Patterns and Principles for Sustainable Environments
Urban Design and Public Policy
In consultation with an advisor, MASLA students create their own course of study, to be approved by the Graduate Program Committee. Additional courses may be required beyond the total number of credits normally prescribed for the degree, particularly for candidates from design disciplines other than landscape architecture.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
The course of study for the M.A.S.L.A. program consists of 31 credits (in brackets). These are:
LARC 500 (1)
LARC 520 or 523 (3)
LARC 541 (3)
LARC 599 Thesis (12)
Elective credits (12*)
Research activities and thesis development will be focused within the two broad areas of advanced design, design theory and design education or environmental design, planning and management.
*One elective course must be 3 credits of approved 500 level or above research methods. The remaining 9 credits of elective may include up to 6 credits of Directed Study with a sponsoring faculty member/supervisor. A maximum of 3 credits at 300-400 level.
TEACHING FORMAT
The various teaching formats used throughout the program are designed to expose students to landscape architecture in its entirety and to open the possibilities for design solutions.
Visual Lectures
Design is highly visual. Slide presentations of built and conceptual landscapes, 2-dimensional drawings and 3-dimantional models used in lecture format allows students to understand design concepts, view precedents, and establish a standard by which to gauge their work.
The Design Studio
Studio projects involve analytical, critical, and creative thinking. While the scale and topic of studio projects varies from course to course, all studio projects involve a site and a program. Studios engage students in a design process involving drawing, model construction, digital media, researching, writing, oral presentations of work, and critiquing one's own and others' studio work.