DEPARTMENT of LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

Our department started its activities in 1995 with the appointment of the first lecturer. Currently, education is provided at undergraduate, graduate and doctorate levels. Scientific research and education activities are carried out with a total of 13 academic staff consisting of 9 faculty members and 4 research assistants.

Currently, the department is located in the 4th education block of the Faculty of Agriculture and has two design studios, a computer-aided design unit with a capacity of 50 computers, a measurement and evaluation laboratory and a department library. Ornamental plants studies are carried out in the lands and greenhouses of the Faculty of Agriculture Campus Research - Application Farm.

In terms of R&D, the subjects of study are focused on landscape planning, landscape design, ornamental plants, green areas, national parks and nature conservation areas, coastal planning and management and environmental problems in line with the needs and priorities of the region.

Our department is very strong in terms of international links. Within the scope of Erasmus+ programme, students and lecturers are exchanged with 9 European universities. In addition, various international projects are carried out.

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE PROFESSION

The word landscape has been transferred to our language from the French word "Paisage" meaning landscape or view. In its broad definition, landscape is the view of natural and cultural elements that can fit into the angle of view from any point. Landscape architecture was born in 1856 as a new profession with the emergence of Frederick Law OLMSTED, an agricultural engineer and at the same time a writer and traveller, as a representative of a movement against the formal garden layout in the United States of America; giving original works whose examples have survived to the present day and using the title of "Landscape Architect" for the first time in his works. The history of Landscape Architecture, which emerged as the Art of Gardening in our country as in the whole world and was perceived within the framework of this definition for a long time, is the same with the emergence of the first mass settlements (cities). From the Hanging Gardens of Babylon to today's modern parks and green space systems of cities, the main aim of Landscape Architecture is to "create sustainable spaces for people that are integrated with nature, suitable for aesthetic and functional use".

The profession of Landscape Architecture, whose importance was better understood especially in the second half of the 20th century, has become one of the professions that develops, directs and implements the principles related to the creation of a positive and sustainable relationship between man and his environment in terms of planning and design by utilising the data of many basic sciences. For this reason, the planning and design of areas and spaces that are seen as the requirements of modern life and created for the society such as national parks and nature conservation areas, coastal areas, wetlands, urban open and green areas, arboretums, exhibition and fairgrounds, botanical and zoo gardens are among the important working areas of the Landscape Architecture profession. While fulfilling these basic functions, the cultivation of ornamental plants seen as a living material and their use in line with aesthetic and functional principles are also among the areas of interest of the profession. In addition, nature restoration works in areas that have been degraded as a result of human activities are also among the basic subjects of the Landscape Architecture profession.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN THE DEPARTMENT OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

Our department started its Master's programme in 2000-2001, Bachelor's programme in 2003-2004 and PhD programme in 2007-2008 academic year. Currently, our department continues its education and training activities with a total of 373 students, 311 in the undergraduate programme and 42 in the master's and doctoral programmes.

In the 2021-2022 academic year, the 16th term graduates from our undergraduate programme were given. Education in Landscape Architecture undergraduate programme covers a period of 4 years. During the education period, students do nursery and office internship in the summer months of the 2nd and 3rd grades, each for at least 30 days.

The new curriculum, 25% of which consists of elective courses, was started to be applied to newly enrolled students in the 2012-2013 academic year. The department offers a master's programme with thesis. The programme consists of at least 4 semesters, 2 semesters of course work and 2 semesters of thesis work. Our PhD programme consists of a total of 8 semesters, 4 semesters of course work and 4 semesters of thesis work.