Courses
Landscape Design Technician-2026/2027
| Level 1 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| CADD-1010 | Computer Drafting for Design 1 | 3 | ||
| An introductory computer drafting software course introduces students to the fundamentals of DynaScape & AutoCAD as used in Landscape Design. Students will demonstrate their ability to prepare two-dimensional scaled plan drawings complete with standard file management, drawing setup layers, line types, dimension styles, text, titlebocks and plotting. This course is a pre-requisite for CADD 3026. | ||||
| COOP-1020 | Co-operative Education Employment Prep | 1 | ||
| This workshop will provide an overview of the Co-operative Education consultants and students' roles and responsibilities as well as the Co-operative Education Policy. It will provide students with employment preparatory skills specifically related to co-operative education work assignments and will prepare students for their work term. | ||||
| DESG-1065 | Landscape Design Studio 1 | 4 | ||
| This studio-based course is an introduction to the landscape design process. Lectures, studio exercises, group and individual projects are used to demonstrate, explore and practice the techniques, approaches and compositional principles of design. Assignments focus on the application of a design process for problem-solving as it relates to the design of small residential and commercial sites. Students will acquire and practice landscape design techniques. | ||||
| DESG-1066 | Landscape Materials | 2 | ||
| This course introduces the student to the materials they will encounter when constructing and designing landscape projects. Landscape Materials explores the qualities and applications of aggregates, wood, concrete, masonry, natural stone, and geo-textiles. The learner will be able to identify, describe, and understand how each material could be used in various landscape projects, its durability and subsequent maintenance. The student will be able to perform quantity take off calculations for various landscape materials. | ||||
| DESG-1075 | Presentation & Illustration 1 | 2 | ||
| This course introduces students to the basic drafting, sketching and illustration skills required to develop and present landscape design ideas. Classes will explore various line-drawing and colour rendering techniques used to develop and present design ideas to clients. Both free-hand and manual drawings techniques will be used to show plan elements, elevation/sections, axonometric and 1-point perspective drawings. | ||||
| HORT-1082 | Plant Studies 1 | 3 | ||
| This course introduces students to woody plant naming systems and basic plant anatomy physiology & growth. Through woody plant walks, both native and cultured plants will be introduced and studied on site. How and where these plants can be used in plantings will be discussed. At the conclusion of the course the learner will be able to identify and give basic cultural information on over 150 hardy deciduous trees, shrubs and vines within Ontario hardiness Zones 2-6 suitable for use in the landscape. | ||||
| LAND-1002 | Site Inventory & Evaluation | 1.5 | ||
| This course introduces the student to the process of assessing a site to determine the various elements that will impact on the development of an effective landscape solution. Classes will include practical field experience and small group exercises. Various survey and measurement tools will be used to accurately inventory existing site conditions and record this information. The impact of this data on the design, construction and maintenance of a garden will be discussed. | ||||
| WRIT-1036 | Reason & Writing 1-Art & Design | 3 | ||
| This course introduces students to essential principles of reading, writing, and reasoning at the postsecondary level. Students will identify, summarize, analyze, and evaluate multiple short readings and write persuasive response essays to develop their vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and critical thinking. | ||||
| Level 2 | ||||
| Gen Ed - Take a 3 credit General Education elective course. | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| COMM-3074 | Communications for Design | 3 | ||
| This course, designed for students who plan to work in the field of art and design, focuses on professional written and verbal communication skills. Students learn to prepare a variety of work-related documents. In addition, students learn about research methods and documentation formats. The principles of effective writing - organization, grammar, style, clarity, and tone - are reinforced throughout the course. The goal of the course is to prepare students for the communication tasks and considerations they will encounter in the workplace in order to meet the needs of employers and/or the communities they will serve. | ||||
| DESG-1008 | Landscape Design Studio 2 | 3.5 | ||
| This studio course builds on the skills learned in Landscape Design Studio I. Projects introduce students to site planning requirements and design strategies for residential and public space design projects. Emphasis will be placed on design approach, composition and presentation. Students will investigate & integrate by-law and municipal standards into their design process and solutions. Students will be introduced to model building. | ||||
| DESG-3053 | Landscape Materials 2 | 1.5 | ||
| This course focuses on the relationship between design and construction of hard landscape materials such as paving, retaining walls and steps. Industry standard construction methods will be taught using interactive demonstrations in the construction labs using guidelines set by ICPI (Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute). By the end of the course, students will be able to create CAD-based construction plans, details and complete a cost estimate of their landscape design hardscape. | ||||
| HORT-3041 | Plant Studies 2 | 3 | ||
| This course introduces students to conifers and broad-leaf evergreens and their role in the landscape. Through woody plant walks, both native and cultured plants will be introduced and studied on site. The nature and role of healthy soil to nutrient & water retention and the growth of plantings will be investigated. At the conclusion of the course the learner will be able to identify, give basic cultural information and preferred soils for more than 50 hardy evergreen trees, shrubs and groundcovers within Ontario hardiness Zones 2-6 suitable for use in the landscape. | ||||
| CADD-3026 | Computer Drafting for Design 2 | 1.5 | ||
| An intermediate AutoCAD course that builds technical skills for deliverables in partnership with Studio 02 DESG-3007 landscape design projects. Students will be introduced to aspects of creating a proper detailed construction documentation package including landscape material and planting plans and construction details. A focus on drawing clarity and annotative objects will apply to projects. | ||||
| Level 3 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| DESG-3007 | Landscape Design Studio 3 | 3.5 | ||
| This is an intermediate level landscape design course with emphasis on mid-sized residential, recreational, and commercial projects. Design projects focus on single and multi-unit housing, open space planning and preliminary environmental site planning issues. The student must prepare individual presentations of design concepts and advocate for his/her recommendations on projects. | ||||
| SURV-3013 | Surveying & Site Services | 2 | ||
| This course provides an introduction to surveying as a key part of site grading and drainage. Hands-on experience with surveying equipment and various techniques used to document distance and elevation measurements will be used. Techniques of topographical surveying, note taking, slope calculations and contour interpolation calculations are covered. Project surveys and CAD base plans will be used for studio course projects. | ||||
| ECOL-1001 | Ecology | 3 | ||
| An introductory ecology course with specific emphasis on the relationship between the natural environment and the built landscape. Students will gain a more complete understanding of ecological principles through a series of field exercises. | ||||
| ARTS-3049 | Digital Illustration 1 | 3 | ||
| This intermediate continues the development of illustration skills. Design presentation techniques covered include 2 point and aerial perspectives and a detailed exploration of design elements. Students expand their illustration repertoire through research and experimentation with new techniques. The use of cameras and technology as part of page layout and detail design as part of the project presentation is encouraged. | ||||
| HORT-3042 | Plant Studies 3 | 3 | ||
| This intermediate course introduces through lecture & plant walks herbaceous plants such as perennials, annuals and weeds and their association with the woody species in the landscape. The development of complex plantings requires a solid knowledge of plant identification, culture and their long-term maintenance. Students will be introduced to complex planting designs projects utilizing design principals of garden structure, colour, naturalization, seasonal interest and layering including all plants learned from previous two Plant Studies courses. Classes will often occur off campus. | ||||
| LAND-1028 | Structures 1 | 2 | ||
| Through a series of lectures and construction demonstration labs, students will be exposed to the construction of wood landscape structures such as decks, pergolas and fences. Students will then focus on creating a set of CAD based drawings for a municipal deck permit according to the Ontario Building Code, accompanied with wood pergola construction details. A complete cost estimate of these wood structures will be performed. | ||||
| Level 4 | ||||
| Gen Ed - Take a 3 credit General Education elective course. | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| DESG-3042 | Landforms | 2.5 | ||
| This course builds on the understanding of grading and drainage from SURV-3013. It allows the student to further develop an understanding of the interpretation, manipulation and illustration of landforms. Topics to be covered include grading, cut and fill, contours, aerial interpretation, environmental, design and aesthetic principles of land manipulation and drainage. | ||||
| DESG-3015 | Landscape Design Studio 4 | 3.5 | ||
| This studio-based course focuses on landscape design proposals for large-scale housing, mixed-use, commercial and/or institutional developments resulting from site analysis, design development and contract document preparation. The goal is for students to produce project deliverables that demonstrate their landscape design knowledge and skills, their understanding of design documentation and communication, and related to that, their employability. | ||||
| LAND-3012 | Structures 2 | 2.5 | ||
| Through a series of lectures and practical labs given by industry professionals, students will be exposed to the practicalities of proposing and detailing landscape amenities such as pools, water features, irrigation and lighting. Students will be required to understand the installation of such features and properly specify them in a live - client landscape design with CAD-based deliverables such as pool permit drawings, lighting and irrigation plans. A complete cost estimate of these landscape features will be performed. | ||||
| COMP-3113 | Digital Illustration 2 | 3 | ||
| This intermediate /advanced level course is designed to provide the student with the opportunity to gain experience in the various software and technology based communication tools available in the industry. This course will assist the student to integrate these computer based skills with the illustrative communication skills learned in previous classes to clearly and professionally communicate design ideas. Students will be encouraged to investigate and experiment with new and different tools and media. | ||||
| BUSI-3045 | Business Studies 1-Business & Costing | 3 | ||
| This course introduces students to the foundational aspects of business including human resources, financing, and costing as practical business concerns. An understanding of business costs, how these costs inform strategic business decisions, impact cost recovery and determine the profitability of operations will be investigated. Practical projects will explore how various costing decisions determine how landscape projects are priced. | ||||
| Gen Ed - Electives | ||||
| Take 6 General Education Elective Credits - Normally taken in levels 2 and 4 | ||||
| Program Residency | ||||
| Students Must Complete a Minimum of 18 credits in this program at Fanshawe College to meet the Program Residency requirement and graduate from this program | ||||