PLANTS FOR ECOLOGICAL DESIGN II

Prerequisites & course information

Requisites: LAND ARC 380 or Graduate/professional standing Course Designation: Core GenEd - Natural Science & Wellness + Lab Breadth - Natural Science Level - Intermediate L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Grad 50% - Counts toward 50% graduate coursework requirement Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Spring 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Describe the abilities of plant species to establish, grow and successfully meet design goals based on ultimate size and shape at various life stages, rate of growth, ecological relationships, and aesthetic characteristics of leaves, bark, flower, fruit, habit, and form in both urban and rural settings. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Select plants for a landscape design using a process that begins with and is guided by an understanding of the composition, structure, and dynamics of the natural plant communities found in the region Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Use hand graphics, notes, and mapping and sampling techniques to illustrate the character of individual plants and the composition and structure of plant communities in the field to compile a personal plant portfolio for future reference consisting of a core set of 50 or more plant species in late winter and early spring growing conditions Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Perform a literature review of current understandings of the ecosystem services provided by specific plants or propose an experiment or monitoring system to measure services in the field. Audience: Graduate 5. Apply sustainability principles and/or frameworks to address the challenges of creating sustainable cities and communities, and prevent the extinction of species Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 6. Use sustainability principles for developing personal goals and professional values Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad Learning Outcomes: 1. Describe the abilities of plant species to establish, grow and successfully meet design goals based on ultimate size and shape at various life stages, rate of growth, ecological relationships, and aesthetic characteristics of leaves, bark, flower, fruit, habit, and form in both urban and rural settings. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Select plants for a landscape design using a process that begins with and is guided by an understanding of the composition, structure, and dynamics of the natural plant communities found in the region Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Use hand graphics, notes, and mapping and sampling techniques to illustrate the character of individual plants and the composition and structure of plant communities in the field to compile a personal plant portfolio for future reference consisting of a core set of 50 or more plant species in late winter and early spring growing conditions Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Perform a literature review of current understandings of the ecosystem services provided by specific plants or propose an experiment or monitoring system to measure services in the field. Audience: Graduate 5. Apply sustainability principles and/or frameworks to address the challenges of creating sustainable cities and communities, and prevent the extinction of species Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 6. Use sustainability principles for developing personal goals and professional values Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad