Certificate in Landscape Design

Landscape Design combines elements of art and science to create a functional, aesthetically pleasing extension of indoor living to the outdoors. One purpose of landscape design is to blend houses or buildings into the natural surroundings. To work toward a desirable landscape design, the landscape horticulturist must have a working knowledge of design principles and plants.

This programme aims to provide students with the know-how to undertake a range of landscape design activities and associated operations within the horticultural sector at an entry tradesperson level.  You will gain skills and knowledge that will prepare you for employment in the horticultural industry, specifically landscape design. 

CLD101 Landscape Design Operations 101 (20 Credits)

An exciting module where students create a photographic collection that can be kept as a valuable resource for many forms of landscape design.

This module will develop your knowledge in pruning trees and shrubs, identifying and classifying trees and demonstrating your knowledge of landscape design principles.

Students will learn how to:    

• identify and explain the physical characteristics of trees, shrubs, and climbers
• demonstrate knowledge of common pruning tools and equipment and the growth characteristics of plant types used in amenity horticulture
• describe tree and shrub responses to pruning and training techniques.
• investigate the cultural requirements of specified plants and select plants for specific uses and sites.

A photographic record of amenity plants (ie. trees, natives, shrubs and climbers planted for public use) is required to complete this module.

CLD102 Landscape Design Operations 102 (20 Credits)

In this module students draft work drawings for landscaping, select plants for landscaping and learn to use freehand drawing as a communication tool in landscaping.

This module includes several drawings. Materials are the student's responsibility.  You will need: set square, french curve, ruler, eraser, HB pencil, charcoal pencil, coloured pencils, watercolour pencils / watercolours, pastels, transparent paper pen / fine-nibbed marker pen, graph paper, tracing paper, cartridge paper.

Students will learn how to:

• explore and use the elements of drawing;
• explore colour rendering media and techniques;
• learn about axonometric (projections) and perspective drawings and apply them to their own work

It is recommended that CLD101 is completed before CLD102.

Enrolment: Application forms are filled out on a year by year basis and students are welcome to apply for multiple intakes on the one application form.  Further enrolment is the responsibility of individual students.  There is no automatic enrolment rollover.

Transfers:  All study selected for a particular intake must be completed within that intake period and cannot be carried over to another intake, unless a transfer is requested within the first two weeks after the start date.  Each transfer requested into an alternative intake will incur an admin fee of $50.  Transfers are not permitted two weeks after the intake start date or between academic years.

Withdrawals:  In order to get a refund of fees, students must advise SIT2LRN of their application withdrawal, in writing, 14 days prior to programme start date.  Students can withdraw up to 75% of the way through the course, but will still be liable for the fees. Students must advise SIT2LRN in writing of their programme withdrawal.

This programme requires a computer and internet access. All students are required to use their SIT webmail only. All course materials and information, including assessments and due dates, are located on the online Blackboard system, for which access will be given during the period of study.

Facilitator Assistance:  During the enrolled intake period, students have email access to Facilitators, who endeavour to respond to emails within 48 hours (week days only).  All students are required, within the first two weeks of intake, to send an email to their Facilitator confirming their start on the programme of study.  Students who have not completed this enrolment process or embarked upon their course of study by the end of the 2^nd week of intake, will be Faculty Withdrawn from the programme.  Such withdrawals may impact on future access to SIT Zero Fee Scheme and Student Direct Material Costs are still liable for payment.

For some papers, students are required to obtain reading material from the library. All the books are available from the SIT library.

Assessments include assignments and on-line tests.

Assessments for this course typically include short written answers and reports. There are photographic collections and drawings to compile. There are no external exams for this course.

The Zero Fees Scheme applies to this course, so there are no tuition fees as long as you are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident (residing in NZ), BUT there is a student direct material cost of $5.50 per credit of study undertaken, plus the required textbook/s listed below.  You must maintain satisfactory academic progress to retain your Zero Fees Scheme entitlement.

Payment is due on the start date of each intake enrolled in - for just the paper/s or unit/s that you have enrolled in for that intake.

All SIT2LRN courses are approved by Studylink.  Any queries regarding Studylink allowances, loans, and terms and conditions should be made directly to Studylink on 0800 88 99 00 or www.studylink.govt.nz.

Recommended Texts for CLD 101 and 102:
Palmer, S. Palmers Manual of Trees, Shrubs and Climbers (2007)

David Bateman Publishing (best option)

or
Hillier,J. Coombes, A Hilliers Manual of Trees and Shrubs (2002)

David Bateman Publishing

or
Bryant, G. Botanica's Manual of Trees and Shrubs (1999)

Random House NZ- ISBN 1 86962 0526

For a quote from the SIT Bookshop please call: 0800 888 220 or email: bookshop@sit.ac.nz. Limited numbers are also available to borrow (short term) from SIT’s library by emailing library@sit.ac.nz or phoning 0800 478 839 ext 8836.

Some examples of employment opportunities at the completion of this certificate are: assistant to a landscape design contractor or landscape architect, local authority horticultural divisions, horticulturalists, farmers and gardeners, or continue with further study in SIT's Certificate in Organic Horticulture or Certificate in General Horticulture.

All applicants should demonstrate a keen interest in landscape design and possess academic attributes which demonstrate that applicants have a reasonable likelihood of successful completion of the programme.  Mature students (20 years of age or over at commencement of programme) are welcome to apply.

For students to be considered to have satisfactorily completed this programme, and be eligible for the awarding of the qualification Certificate in Landscape Design (Level 3) they must have completed all scheduled course work requirements and assessments, successfully completed assessment requirements for all unit standards, and achieved a total of 40 credits as specified in the programme schedule.