Program objectives

Landscape architecture has been gaining momentum around the world in recent years. Global interest in sustainability has thrust landscape architecture to the forefront of contemporary design discourse while setting new professional and investigative challenges. Landscape architecture is a multi- and cross-disciplinary field, whose goal is to shape healthy, enriching, multicultural and sustainable habitats. The Master of Science in Landscape Architecture aims to train professional leaders and foster groundbreaking research in the field. The coursework engages in theoretical and practical innovations taking shape in the world today, in landscape architecture and related fields, with the goal of assimilating this knowledge into research and practice both locally and globally, while paying special attention to Israel’s unique conditions.

The program is designed for highly motivated students with advanced skills who are looking for an intellectual and professional challenge and wish to further knowledge in the field and explore in depth a specific topic of design research or practice.

Potential research topics are varied and can be divided into three main categories:

History of landscape architecture: The history of landscape architecture in Israel focuses mainly on the emergence and formation of the local landscape and constitutes fertile ground for investigating historical processes and examining the relationships between landscape design and planning and other fields.

Natural systems as a basis for creating a sustainable environment: a survey of natural systems, their advantages and vulnerability, will serve as the foundation for multidisciplinary research, including: landscape ecology, nature conservation, species and habitat conservation, and strategic and physical integration of national and regional infrastructure systems.

Design of public spaces: study of an investigation into public spaces, their traditional and contemporary roles; examining public space while considering the relationship between ecology and urban society in Israel today.

Curriculum

The curriculum spans two years (or more) towards a Master of Science in Landscape Architecture with a research thesis or capstone project.

In both tracks, students must complete 44 academic credits (not including fulfilling prerequisite credits), including 10 credits of core courses, 14 credits of electives and 20 credits filled by the research or capstone project. The core courses are: research process preparation (2 credits), theories in contemporary landscape architecture (2 credits), thematic and chronological aspects of landscape architecture (3 credits), and urban ecology (3 credits). The elective courses will be determined in coordination with the supervisor and will be chosen from the list of courses for the Master’s degree in the track and Faculty according to the student’s personal background and the research direction chosen.

Students without a background in landscape architecture will be required to complete three supplementary courses, totalling 8 credits, depending on their previous qualifications. Supplementary courses, if required, will be determined by the admissions committee.

For more information on prospective research advisors and their research fields, click here.

To browse our vast list of research labs and research groups, click here.

Admissions requirements

The program is designed for candidates who have earned a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture or a Bachelor of Architecture and are interested in advancing research and knowledge in the field. The admissions committee will also consider graduates of engineering, life sciences, social sciences and other degrees related to landscape architecture.

The program is a research degree and therefore will only consider candidates who have already met with members of the faculty and have declared preliminary research interests.

Admissions decisions will be made regarding each candidate based on their achievements and educational and professional background, and contingent on their acceptance by the Technion’s Graduate School. In general, students who are admitted have completed a bachelor’s degree with a grade point average of 80 or above. In unusual cases, the admissions committee will consider candidates with a lower grade point average, but no lower than 75 (the cutoff for acceptance into the Graduate School).

The admissions committee will take the following factors into consideration: declaration of intent, curriculum vitae and college transcripts. The declaration of intent should summarize the students’ background and motivation for studying and researching landscape architecture, their intended field of research and the faculty member interested in advising their thesis research. Suitable candidates will be invited for an interview. Students studying towards their bachelor’s degree may apply during their final year of studies but will only be invited for an interview upon having fulfilled all prerequisite requirements.

Application

To apply, click here.

Contact

Keren Steger, Graduate Studies Coordinator, Amado Building 312, +972-4-8294285, ar.g.ad@technion.ac.il

Professor Assaf Shwartz, Head of the Landscape Architecture Track, Segoe Building, Room 605, 04-8294106, shwartza@technion.ac.il