Academic Programs Catalog

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Undergraduate Programs

The School of Planning, Design, and Construction exists to educate individuals for professional careers in areas impacting the built environment, spanning the life of a constructed edifice or entity, from planning, to design, and construction management. The school offers Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree programs. Individuals meeting the general University requirements for admission shown in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog are enrolled in the Undergraduate University Division but may declare a major preference in the School of Planning, Design, and Construction. Refer to the specific degree program for further details regarding admission requirements and program curriculum.

The school offers programs leading to bachelor’s degrees in the following fields:
    Construction Management
    Interior Design
    Landscape Architecture
    Urban and Regional Planning

The Bachelor of Science degree program with a major in urban and regional planning is offered through the College of Social Science. For information about this program, refer to the statement on the School of Planning, Design, and Construction in the College of Social Science section of this catalog.


Construction Management

The program is designed to provide a student with a background in managerial, technological, economic, social, political, and environmental aspects of residential and commercial construction. A systems approach is used and includes project management, construction science, land acquisition and development, real estate, finance, management, and marketing. Career opportunities include supervisory and managerial employment within commercial and residential contracting, land development, and real estate organizations; material distribution systems; financial institutions; and governmental agencies.

Admission as a Junior

Construction management builds upon a basic understanding of mathematics, physics, statistics, and economics to develop the skills necessary to manage construction projects. Prior to enrollment in the major, students must have demonstrated this basic understanding by a minimum performance in the courses listed and a minimum grade-point average of 3.00 in CMP courses listed in item 2. below.

Enrollment in the construction management major is limited. Those seeking admission must at least meet the criteria listed below.

1. Completion of at least 56 credits.
2. Completion of the following courses with a minimum grade of 2.0 in each course:
MTH 124 Survey of Calculus I 3
PHY 231 Introductory Physics I 3
STT 200 Statistical Methods 3
Or
STT 201 Statistical Methods 4
EC 201 Introduction to Microeconomics 3
Or
EC 202 Introduction to Macroeconomics 3
CMP 101 Principles of Construction Management 2
CMP 124 Residential Construction Materials and Methods 3
CMP 210 Commercial Construction Methods 3
CMP 222 Statics and Strengths of Materials 3
CMP 230 Utility Systems 3
CMP 245 Principles of Green Building 3

While meeting all of the criteria above is necessary to be considered for admission to the Bachelor of Science Degree in Construction Management, it does not guarantee admission. Other factors such as MSU grade-point average, construction management grade-point average, work experience, and personal experience may also be considered.

For additional information about admissions criteria and procedures, students should contact the Construction Management Program in the School of Planning, Design, and Construction.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Construction Management

  1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management.

    The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Construction Management major is met by completing Construction Management 385. This course is referenced in item 3. below.

    Students who are enrolled in the Construction Management major leading to the Bachelor of Science degree may complete an alternative track to Integrative Studies in Physical Sciences that consists of Physics 231. 

    The completion of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources mathematics requirement may also satisfy the University mathematics requirement.
  2. The requirements of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources for the Bachelor of Science degree.
  3. The following requirements for the major:
    a. All of the following courses (62 credits):
    ACC 230 Survey of Accounting Concepts 3
    CMP 101 Principles of Construction Management 2
    CMP 124 Residential Construction Materials and Methods 3
    CMP 210 Commercial Construction Methods 3
    CMP 222 Statics and Strengths of Materials 3
    CMP 230 Utility Systems 3
    CMP 245 Principles of Green Building 3
    CMP 305 Site Construction and Measurement 3
    CMP 311 Construction Project Scheduling 3
    CMP 315 Construction  Quantity Surveying 3
    CMP 322 Structural Systems 3
    CMP 325 Real Estate Principles and Construction Finance 3
    CMP 328 Building Information Modeling for Construction 3
    CMP 385 Construction Documents and Contracts (W) 3
    CMP 401 Construction Safety Management 3
    CMP 415 Cost Estimating and Analysis 3
    CMP 423 Construction Project Management 3
    MGT 325 Management Skills and Processes 3
    MTH 124 Survey of Calculus I 3
    PHY 231 Introductory Physics I 3
    PHY 232 Introductory Physics II 3
    Students must have a minimum grade-point of 2.0 in each of the following courses: CMP 401, 415, and 423.
    b. One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
    CMP 445 Green and Energy Efficient Building Construction 3
    CMP 453 Land Development 3
    CMP 475 Practical Experiences in Construction Management 3
    CMP 491 Special Topics in Construction Management 3 or 4
    CMP 493 Professional Internship in Construction Management 3
    PDC 403 Introduction to Domicology: Sustainable Built Environment 3
    c. One of the following courses with a minimum grade-point of 2.0 (3 credits):
    CMP 435 Residential Building and Development Projects (W) 3
    CMP 436 Commercial Building Projects (W) 3
    CMP 492 Capstone Project Competitions 3
    d. One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
    COM 100 Human Communication 3
    COM 225 An Introduction to Interpersonal Communication 3
    COM 240 Introduction to Organizational Communication 4
    e. One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
    STT 200 Statistical Methods 3
    STT 201 Statistical Methods 4
    f. One of the following courses (3 credits):
    EC 201 Introduction to Microeconomics 3
    EC 202 Introduction to Macroeconomics 3
    g. One of the following courses (3 credits):
    FI 320 Introduction to Finance 3
    GBL 323 Introduction to Business Law 3
    MKT 327 Introduction to Marketing 3
    SCM 304 Survey of Supply Chain Management 3


Interior Design

The Interior Design program is designed to prepare students for professional careers in interior design or for professional masters programs. The program provides students an opportunity to develop knowledge, skills, and insights needed to solve design problems creatively and effectively. Interior Design students will obtain fundamental and in-depth design knowledge, basic and advanced design skills, critical thinking strategies for evidence-based design solutions, and skills necessary for real-world practice and research. The curriculum enables the student to design and present solutions that support physical, psychological, social, and behavioral needs of all users and enhance health and well-being. 

The Interior Design Program is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). The program meets the educational requirements for eligibility to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Examination (NCIDQ Exam). 

Admission

The number of students admitted to the major in interior design is limited. To be considered for admission, a student must have:

  1. Completed at least 28 credits.
  2. An all–university grade–point average of 2.50 or better.
  3. A grade–point average of 3.00 or better in the following courses: Interior Design 140, 142, 150, 152, and 240. Those courses are referenced in item 3. a. below in the Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interior Design.

In addition, transfer students must have previous design work evaluated by the department prior to placements in required courses.

Selective admissions are made at the end of spring semester for Michigan State University and transfer students from those students who have met the criteria referenced. The final selection of students to be admitted to the major is based on the cumulative grade–point average of all courses taken and a grade–point average calculated for selected courses and portfolio review by faculty members.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interior Design

  1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Interior Design.

    The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Interior Design major is met by completing Interior Design 442.  This course is referenced in item 3. a. below.

    The completion of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources mathematics requirement may also satisfy the University mathematics requirement.
  2. The completion of the requirements of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
  3. The following requirements for the major:
    a. All of the following courses (57 credits):
    IDES 140 Design for Living 3
    IDES 142 Design Theory Studio 3
    IDES 150 Interior Design Drafting 3
    IDES 152 Interior Environments 3
    IDES 240 Computer–Aided Design for Designers 3
    IDES 250 3D Modeling and Visualization 3
    IDES 252 Interior Design Synthesis I 4
    IDES 340 Interior Design Specifications and Workroom Practices 3
    IDES 342 Interior Design:  Human Dimensions 3
    IDES 343 Interior Design Presentation and Media 3
    IDES 344 History of Interior Design: Ancient Through Rococo 3
    IDES 350 Interior Design Lighting and Environmental Systems 3
    IDES 352 Interior Design Synthesis II 4
    IDES 354 History of Interior Design:  Neo–Classical Through Modern 3
    IDES 393 Introduction to Professional Practice 1
    IDES 440 Contemporary Design Issues 2
    IDES 441 Interior Design Open Office Systems 1
    IDES 442 Interior Design Programming (W) 3
    IDES 451 Interior Design Professional Practice 2
    IDES 452 Interior Design Synthesis III 4
    b. Any two of the following History of Art options (6 to 9 credits):
    (1) Any History of Art course (3 or 4 credits).
    (2) Any History of Art course (3 or 4 credits).
    (3) IDES 490 Independent Study (3 to 5 credits) earned through the Interior Design Education Abroad program.
    (4) IDES 456 Historic Preservation and Sustainability (3 credits).


Landscape Architecture

Established in 1898, the undergraduate Bachelor of Landscape Architecture program provides a diverse learning experience which strives for balancing ideology, design, technology, art and science toward creating a sustainable and resilient world. The program curriculum prepares students to be responsible landscape architects and fulfilled individuals with a breadth and depth of professional knowledge, bridged with the employability skills to advance in practice. Graduates master the scientific evidence-based approach in creating design solutions across scales with the integration of art, science and human interaction, applying their knowledge to diverse and immersive project types from local to international settings.

The program includes professional courses in design theory and graphic communications, environmental perception, history, and plant materials and their uses; technical aspects of site development, design applications for representative land uses; site planning for typical projects; community planning, housing and recreational development; and urban and regional design and planning.

The program offers meaningful opportunities and challenges within the classroom and on community projects, which prepare the student to communicate through writing, speech and graphics. The Bachelor of Landscape Architecture program at Michigan State University has been accredited by the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board (LAAB) since 1952.

Honors Study

Students interested in honors programs in landscape architecture should consult with an academic advisor.

Admission

The number of students who can be admitted as sophomores to the landscape architecture major is limited. To be admitted to the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture program, the following factors will be taken into consideration:

  1. Completion of 28 credits.
  2. Submission of a completed Landscape Architecture application package by the deadline specified by the School.
  3. Achieve a grade of 2.0 or higher in the following core Landscape Architecture courses:
    1. LA 140 Graphics and Two-Dimensional Design Studio
    2. LA 141 Graphics and Three-Dimensional Design Studio
    3. LA 200 Introduction to Landscape Architecture
  4. Completion of the University, College and School mathematics requirement referenced in item 2. b. (2) below.
  5. Completion of PDC 120 Planning and Design Digital Graphics.

Admissions are determined by the faculty on the basis of the relative qualifications of applicants and the enrollment capacity in the program. Admission is competitive. Transfer students and students with 28 or more credits who want to change their major to Landscape Architecture may have previous design work evaluated by the program prior to placement in landscape architecture second-year courses and above.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Degree in Landscape Architecture

  1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 130 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree in Landscape Architecture.

    Students who are enrolled in the Landscape Architecture major leading to the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree in the School of Planning, Design and Construction may complete an alternative track to Integrative Studies in Biological and Physical Sciences that consists of the following courses:  Plant Biology 105, an ISP course and ISP laboratory.  The completion of the ISP course and ISP laboratory satisfies the laboratory requirement.  Plant Biology 105 may be counted toward both the alternative track and the requirements for the major referenced in item 2. below.

    The completion of Mathematics 116, or Mathematics 103 and 114, or Mathematics 103 and Statistics and Probability 200 or 201 referenced in requirement 2. below may also satisfy the University mathematics requirement.

    The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Landscape Architecture major is met by completing Landscape Architecture 480.  That course is referenced in item 2. c. below.
  2. The following requirements for the major:
    a. A minimum grade of 2.0 in all Landscape Architecture courses referenced in requirement 2.c. below.
    b. Collateral Courses (30 to 35 credits):
    (1) All of the following courses (22 credits):
    HRT 211 Landscape Plants I 3
    HRT 212 Landscape Plants II 3
    HRT 311 Landscape Design and Management Specifications 4
    ISS 310 People and the Environment (I) 4
    PDC 120 Planning and Design Digital Graphics 2
    PLB 105 Plant Biology 3
    UP 424 Geographic Information Systems and Design Tools for Planning 3
    (2) One of the following groups (5 to 7 credits):
    (a) MTH 116 College Algebra and Trigonometry 5
    (b) MTH 103 College Algebra 3
    MTH 114 Trigonometry 3
    (c) MTH 103 College Algebra 3
    STT 200 Statistical Methods 3
    or 4
    STT 201 Statistical Methods
    (3) Students must demonstrate AutoCAD proficiency through transfer credit, waiver or completion of the following course (0 to 3 credits):
    IDES 240 Computer-Aided Design for Designers 3
    (4) One of the following courses (3 credits):
    EC 201 Introduction to Microeconomics 3
    EC 202 Introduction to Macroeconomics 3
    c. Landscape Architecture Courses:  All of the following courses (61 credits):
    LA 140 Graphics and Two-Dimensional Design Studio 4
    LA 141 Graphics and Three-Dimensional Design Studio 4
    LA 200 Introduction to Landscape Architecture 3
    LA 230 Site Construction Materials and Methods 4
    LA 231 Landscape Site Engineering 4
    LA 242 Creating Space Studio 4
    LA 243 Place Making Studio 4
    LA 332 Advanced Landscape Site Engineering 4
    LA 344 Connections of Scale Studio 5
    LA 345 Design Development Studio 5
    LA 390 Landscape Architecture Field Studies 3
    LA 421 Drawing as Knowing 4
    LA 447 Juried Design Studio 5
    LA 448 Regional Environmental Design Studio 2
    LA 449 Landscape Architecture Design Studio 3
    LA 480 Professional Practice in Landscape Architecture (W) 3
    d. Directed Electives (14 credits):
    A minimum of 14 additional credits in courses approved by the student's academic advisor and program director. Courses that are used to satisfy the University Integrative Studies and writing requirements may not be used to satisfy this requirement. Courses used to satisfy the AutoCAD proficiency requirement referenced in item 2 b. (3) above may not be used to satisfy this requirement.