About the Master's Degree

Master of Landscape Architecture

Overview:

The Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) program at King Abdulaziz University (KAU) was established in 2020. The MLA is a two-year, research project-based program consisting of a total of 44 credit hours. The curriculum focuses on enhancing students' practical skills and knowledge of the art and science of landscape architecture through discipline-specific courses, studios, and elective courses.

The foundation of the MLA curriculum is a series of three intensive design studios. The first studio covers the relationship between urban design and landscape architecture by studying and designing urban projects at the neighborhood level or city centers. The second studio is designed to encourage students to engage in research at different scales, types, and methodologies, both in natural and urban areas. The last studio introduces students to design methods and concepts with a focus on the participation of society and its demands on the urban environment at the city level. The studio format involves various teaching techniques, including lectures, demonstrations, field trips, readings, one-on-one instruction, and group discussions. The studio typically consists of a small group of students, providing an engaging and personalized environment for both students and faculty.

The MLA curriculum also includes two courses in Landscape Architecture trends and Landscape Ecology, along with several elective courses designed to provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge that will be integrated into the design studios to support the design process and solutions. Research is an important component of the MLA curriculum, and students are required to take two courses where they develop their final research project under the supervision of their instructors.

Program Mission:

To prepare visionary leaders through immersive design studios, research and advance study, fostering innovative solutions that enhance and protect our natural and built environment

Program Goals:

 Education (Teaching and Learning):

•      Regular evaluation, improvement, and development of the MLA program.
•      Develop study plans and teaching strategies to achieve the learning outcome.
•      Enhance MLA student’s creativity, leadership and professional skills in the field of Landscape Architecture.

 Scientific Research:

•      Enriching scientific publishing in ISI journals at the level of the staff members and students.

Community Engagement:

•      Promote volunteerism among students and faculty members of MLA.
•      Develop community engagement infinitives to strengthen the connection between the department and the local community.

Development and Quality:

•      Obtain and maintain national and international academic accreditation for the Master program in landscape Architecture.
•      Raising the efficiency of the Academic staff and administrative staff at the department.
•      Develop the technical and academic skills of the faculty members in MLA program.
  
  

Program Objectives:

Students are expected to be proficient or above in each of these areas by the time they graduate from the program. 

Design:

Students will be able to use the most relevant and up-to-date methodologies, tools, and technologies in landscape Architecture to develop their complex problem-solving skills to tackle the critical questions facing contemporary cities and landscapes.

Knowledge:

Students will be able to critically analyze and apply histories, theories, ethics, and practices of landscape design, as well as its function in reflecting and reshaping culture and environments.

Research:

Students will be able to understand and apply suitable research methods for design and scholarship in landscape architecture.

Communication:

Students will be able to effectively communicate ideas on topics covered by the professional curriculum to a range of audiences by speaking, writing, creating, and using suitable representational media.

Community ethics:

Student will be able to critically examine the local and global implication of social issues, various cultures, economic systems, ecological systems, and professional practice.

Graduate Attributes:

The Landscape Architecture department is known for its excellence in teaching, research, creative design work and community involvement that are all geared to produced competitive graduates with the following attributes:

1.      Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

2.      Teamwork and communication skills

3.      Professionalism and leadership readiness

4.      Digital and technical capabilities

5.      Valuing Diversity

6.      Confidence and adaptability

Figure 1: Consistency of the Landscape Architecture undergraduate program mission with the FAP and KAU mission

Figure 2: Consistency of the graduate program goals with the LAD and FAP mission.

Figure 3: Consistency of the LAD graduate attributes with KAU graduate attributes