Dual Degree in Landscape Architecture / River-Coastal Science and Engineering, MLAN/MS
The mission of the dual interdisciplinary Master of Landscape Architecture (MLAN) - Master of Science in River-Coastal Science Engineering (MS RCSE) program is to advance innovative design research through interdisciplinary collaboration with scientists, engineers, and other designers; prepare students to understand complex landscape-based challenges and design strategies addressing urban and ecological systems; and engage the Gulf Coast Region as a global laboratory to explore alternative ways of living in a changing climate.
3.5-year curriculum
The 3.5-year curriculum is structured for students with an accredited baccalaureate degree in any field. The seven-semester curriculum begins with a summer semester, followed by six semesters that include core instruction to fulfill LAAB requirements in addition to elective studios and seminars.
Advanced Standing Option
At the Tulane University School of Architecture and Built Environment, we understand that each student's path to pursuing a Dual Master of Landscape Architecture and Master of Science in River-Coastal Science & Engineering (MLAN-MS RCSE) is unique. We therefore offer an Advanced Standing Portfolio Assessment option for applicants who have had previous education or experience in landscape architecture, engineering, or related fields. The Advanced Standing portfolio Assessment will constitute an opportunity to accelerate a student’s progress toward the MLAN-MS RCSE degree. Applicants with relevant prior learning experiences and demonstrable architecture skills, can be evaluated and potentially reduce required courses in MLAN-MS RCSE degree path at Tulane.
Upon application to the MLAN-MS RCSE program, students may request an advanced standing evaluation of their portfolio, academic records, and previous course syllabi for admission with Advanced Standing. Qualified previous learning experiences may satisfy corresponding degree requirements in the MLAN-MS RCSE program. Such evaluations are conducted by a qualified faculty admissions committee, who carefully assess each instance of previous experience and correlate their findings to our degree requirements. If the committee determines that a student has indeed met these requirements, they will be granted advanced standing toward specific courses.
Advanced standing credit is recorded in each student’s degree audit from their very first day in the program. This means that students can effectively shorten their required course load, allowing them to focus more deeply on areas where they seek further development, and/or shortening the total time needed to achieve the degree.
It is important to note that a minimum of 50% of the required degree credits must be taken in residence at Tulane to comply with the university’s residency requirement policy. This equates to completing 55 credits of the MLAN-MS RCSE 110 required credit hours in residence, ensuring that while students can benefit from their prior experiences, they still engage meaningfully with the curriculum of the MLAN-MS RCSE program.
The possible courses for which advanced standing may be granted include, but are not limited to:
- EBIO 6030 Field Botany (4 c.h.)
- EBIO 6031 Field Botany Lab (0 c.h.)
- EBIO 6580 Urban Ecology (3 c.h.)
- EBIO 6590 Plant Biology and Adaptation (4 c.h.)
- EBIO 6591 Plant Biology & Adaptation Lab (0 c.h.)
- LAND 6011 Design Studio (6 c.h.)
- LAND 6031 Streetscapes Design Studio (6 c.h.)
- LAND 6032 Forest Urbanism and Waste Design Studio (6 c.h.)
- LAND 6051 Regional Climate Adaptation and Urbanism Research Studio (6 c.h.)
- LAND 6111 History of Landscape Architecture I (3 c.h.)
- LAND 6112 History of Landscape Architecture II (3 c.h.)
- LAND 6113 History of Landscape Architecture III (3 c.h.)
- LAND 6211 Landscape Building Technologies I (3 c.h.)
- LAND 6311 Design Media I (6 c.h.)
- LAND 6312 Design Media II (3 c.h.)
- LAND 6980 Thesis Research Methods (3 c.h.)
- LAND 6990 Thesis Studio (6 c.h.)
- RCSE 6060 The Role of Soils in Riparian Landscapes (3 c.h.)
- Electives in MLAN-MS RCSE program
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Societal Sequence | ||
| LAND 6111 | History of Landscape Architecture I | 3 |
| LAND 6112 | History of Landscape Architecture II | 3 |
| LAND 6113 | History of Landscape Architecture III | 3 |
| LAND 6512 | Professional Practices and Concerns in Landscape Architecture | 3 |
| RCSE 7100 | Seminar in River Coastal Science and Engineering (*) 1 | 3 |
| Visualization Sequence | ||
| LAND 6311 | Design Media I | 3 |
| LAND 6312 | Design Media II | 3 |
| RCSE 6050 | Geospatial Data Collection and Analysis for Environmental Applications (*) | 3 |
| Studio Sequence | ||
| LAND 6011 | Design Studio | 6 |
| LAND 6021 | Landscape and Engineering Design Studio: Coastal (+) | 6 |
| LAND 6022 | Landscape and Engineering Design Studio: Riverine (+) | 6 |
| LAND 6031 | Streetscapes Design Studio | 6 |
| LAND 6032 | Forest Urbanism and Waste Design Studio | 6 |
| LAND 6051 | Regional Climate Adaptation and Urbanism Research Studio | 6 |
| LAND 6980 | Thesis Research Methods | 3 |
| LAND 6990 | Thesis Studio | 6 |
| Eco-Technology Sequence | ||
| EBIO 6030 | Field Botany | 4 |
| EBIO 6031 | Field Botany Lab 2 | 0 |
| EBIO 6580 | Urban Ecology | 3 |
| EBIO 6590 | Plant Biology and Adaptation | 4 |
| EBIO 6591 | Plant Biology & Adaptation Lab 3 | 0 |
| LAND 6211 | Landscape Building Technologies I | 3 |
| LAND 6212 | Landscape Building Technologies II | 3 |
| RCSE 6060 | The Role of Soils in Riparian Landscapes | 3 |
| RCSE 6800 | Intro to River Science & Eng (*) | 3 |
| RCSE 6802 | Introduction to Coastal Science and Engineering (*) | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| RCSE Electives (3) (*) | 9 | |
| MLAN Electives (2) | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 110 | |
- 1
All students must enroll in three semesters of the one-credit seminar course (RCSE 7100).
- 2
EBIO 6030 and EBIO 6031 are co-requisites and must be taken during the same semester.
- 3
EBIO 6590 and 6591 are co-requisites and must be taken during the same semester.
- (*)
Credits count only toward the MS RCSE.
- (+)
Credits count toward both MLAN and MS RCSE.
Students hoping to transfer graduate credits for required RCSE courses should prepare and submit the paperwork at the start of their second semester at Tulane. SSE will only transfer credits when the student has completed one semester (it is at that point that a Tulane transcript is available).
Students can transfer up to 12 credit hours from previous graduate-level coursework to the degree. The RCSE Graduate Advisor must approve all transfer credits.
MLAN Electives
MLAN electives may be fulfilled by select courses from across the university. Consult with the Program Director for a list of approved electives.
RCSE Electives
All RCSE 6000-level courses not included in the program requirements above are recognized as RCSE electives.
Electives marked with an asterisk(*) are not recommended for students without prior experience in calculus or physics. Students uncertain about their experience for a given course should consult with their RCSE faculty advisor.
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| RCSE 6010 | Fluid Mechanics (offered Spring semester) * | 3 |
| RCSE 6020 | Hydraulics (offered Fall semester) * | 3 |
| RCSE 6030 | Hydrology (offered Spring semester) * | 3 |
| RCSE 6040 | Coastal Marine Geology (offered Spring semester, even years) | 3 |
| RCSE 6100 | AI for Environmental Science (offered periodically) | 3 |
| RCSE 6660 | Special Topics (offered periodically) | 1 to 3 |
| RCSE 6661 | Special Topics (offered periodically) | 1 to 3 |
| RCSE 6710 | Open Channel Flow (offered Spring semester, odd years) * | 3 |
| RCSE 6810 | River and Stream Restoration (offered Spring semester, even years) | 3 |
| RCSE 6820 | Introduction to River-Coastal Hydrologic and Hydraulic Modeling (offered Spring semester, even years) * | 3 |
| RCSE 6830 | River Mechanics & Management (offered Fall semester, even years) | 3 |
| RCSE 6840 | Methods in River Sampling (offered Spring semester, odd years) | 3 |
| RCSE 6850 | Estuarine Processes (offered Spring semester, odd years) * | 3 |
| RCSE 6860 | Environmental Data Analysis in the Anthropocene (offered Spring semester, even years) * | 3 |
| RCSE 6865 | Sea-Level Change (offered Spring semester, odd years) | 3 |
| RCSE 6870 | Hydroclimatology (offered Fall semester, odd years) * | 3 |
| RCSE 6875 | Ecohydrology (offered Fall semester, even years) * | 3 |
Program String and Field of Study: ARMLAN_GR, LAEN, SEMS_G2, RCSE
Dual Degree code: MLANMS
For more information, contact the School of Architecture and Built Environment.