Getting Started (Majors Guide)

College: SBS

 (Revised Spring 2018)  

How to Explore/Get Started in the Major

Suggested General Education Courses

Under the new guidelines students are still required to take two courses, one in U.S. Diversity and one in Global Diversity. Students entering in Fall 2018 are expected to take one of these diversity courses, either U.S. or Global, in their first year on campus.  For Fall 2018 Registration, look for courses with DU (formerly U) and DG (formerly G) to help students stay on track.  Any course labled DU will satisfy the requirement for a U.S. diversity course and any course labeled DG will satisfy the the requirement for Global diversity course. Course planning guidelines, including guidelines for students, are available at www.umass.edu/gened.

Although the following General Education courses are not required, they are recommended for the major.  Freshmen may consider taking:

  • ENGLWRIT 112 (CW); 
  • MATH 104 (R1); 
  • ARCH 211 (HS-DG); 
  • ART 104 (AT);
  • ART 105 (AT);
  • ART-HIST 115 (AT-DG);
  • ART-HIST 118 (AT-DG);
  • BCT 150 (I); 
  • ENVIRSCI 101 (BS);
  • GEOGRAPH 100 (PS); 
  • GEOGRAPH 102 (SB-DG); 
  • RES-ECON 102 (SB); 
  • STOCKSCH 100 (BS);
  • SUSTCOMM 110 (SB-DU);
  • SUSTCOMM 125 (SB-DG);
  • SUSTCOMM 140 (AT);
  • SUSTCOMM 205 (I-DU);
  • SUSTCOMM 333 (SB-DU).

Suggested Major and Pre-requisite courses

Recommended for getting to know the major (not required for majors; open to non-majors)

  • LANDARCH 197D - Introduction to Environmental Design (Spring)
  • SUSTCOMM 110 – Transforming Your World: Intro to Community Engagement (Fall)
  • SUSTCOMM 125 – Global Cities and Global Issues (Spring)
  • SUSTCOMM 140 – Awareness of the Visual Environment (Fall)
  • SUSTCOMM 205 – Dynamics of Human Habitation (Fall or Online Summer)
  • SUSTCOMM 232 – Sustainable Communities (Spring).
  • SUSTCOMM 297L - Visual Communication: Design Principles & Digital Skills (Fall)

How to Declare the Major

No formal application is required.  Students should meet with the Program Director to declare the major, preferably prior to fall semester of the sophomore year.

Transfer Students:

In order to complete the required design studio sequence, all transfers must complete six consecutive semesters in the program beginning with the fall semester.  The major requires a three-year sequence of courses that begin in the fall.

Summary of Requirements for the Major

Minimum total # of credits required: 70

  • Six consecutive semesters of Design Studios. The studio sequence begins in the fall semester of a student’s sophomore year and must be taken in sequential order with each studio building upon the previous one.  Studio classes range from small scale residential design to public park design to urban waterfront redevelopment to regional land use planning (36 credits).
  • Nine Professional Skills courses (27 credits)
  • Two Landscape History courses (7 credits)

Is there a minor? If so, what are the requirements?
There is no minor.  The Department does offer a related minor in Sustainable Community Development.

For further information, contact:
Professor Patricia McGirr
226 Design Building
545-6621
mcgirr@larp.umass.edu