A Comprehensive
Part-Time Program for:
- Horticultural practitioners
- Nursery tradespeople
- Landscapers
- Keen amateur gardeners
- Aspiring garden designers
Program Overview
 Philosophy and Principles
The UBC Certificate in Garden Design offers comprehensive and innovative instruction in the design of residential gardens in the Pacific Northwest. Developed in cooperation with prominent Vancouver landscape architect and garden designer Ron Rule, this unique program will appeal to keen amateur gardeners and professionals alike, the program explores — in depth and in logical sequence — all of the stylistic forms and techniques of good garden design. Participants receive practical and theoretical training in the history and theory of garden design, drafting, and hard and soft landscape design, along with the opportunity to apply this knowledge to the design of an actual case study garden.
The certificate program is unique in that it is geared specifically to urban gardens; it is innovative because it focuses on exploring the design possibilities inherent in the Pacific Northwest region; it is unusual in its diverse and dedicated faculty of university instructors and distinguished regional experts practising in the field.
Who Should Apply?
- horticultural practitioners and those in the nursery trades seeking professional development
- landscapers who wish to provide more comprehensive and professional services to clients
- keen and committed amateur gardeners who want to make their own gardens more attractive and interesting
- those who are considering a career in landscape design
- landscape architecture students seeking a focus on garden design
Location
Classes are held on the UBC Point Grey campus, utilizing the space and facilities of the Landscape Architecture program and the UBC Botanical Garden. The Landscape Architecture building provides the main space for lectures and studio work.The UBC Botanical Garden — renowned for its 110 acres planted with over 10,000 different trees, shrubs and flowers in a combination of natural and cultivated styles — is used as a laboratory to study plants, the aesthetics of native planting and maintenance topics. Off-campus activities include visits to well-designed local residential gardens and the site of our designated case study garden.
Each year a different case study garden is assigned as an integral part of the program. This challenges students to come up with ideas for an existing site dealing with a variety of elevations, existing trees and major vegetation, automobile circulation and other important factors. Students will also have the opportunity to deal with a "real" client.
Program Delivery and Learning Methods
The certificate program is a "hands-and-eyes-on" experience and instructors employ a variety of techniques and devices to convey their material. They will lecture, demonstrate, lead group activities in both the classroom and the field and oversee individual design projects; homework will be necessary.
Students are encouraged to participate in discussions and in the exchange of ideas, and to complete both individual and group projects. They are required to draft their own designs and experiment in the selection of construction materials and plants; feedback and evaluations are provided by peer and expert review.
Each student will finish the program with a portfolio of examples of designs from projects completed during the program.
Program Requirements
The curriculum for the UBC Certificate in Garden Design encompasses a variety of courses related to garden design. These courses are referred to as certificate-credit courses to differentiate them from regular University credit and non-credit courses. Certificate-credit courses are measured in hours of instruction.
Participants must complete successfully all five modules, up to 154 hours, to receive the certificate. To successfully complete each module, participants must attend at least 75% of the classes and actively participate in all classroom and program activities including discussions, exercises, assignments, projects and aural presentations.
The modules are taken over a six-month period and are designed to be taken sequentially. No module can be skipped and completed at a later date.
Assessment Methods
The UBC Certificate in Garden Design is a "competency-based" program in which participants are expected to demonstrate the acquisition of the information and key skills taught in each module. Assessment methods include the instructors' observation and assessment of each participant's grasp of the information and techniques presented. This may include the grading of exercises, assignments, projects, participation and aural presentations. A critical review of the student’s work is a large component of the program. Participants must be prepared to have their individual and group presentations critiqued.
Graduation Criteria
To be granted the UBC Certificate in Garden Design, participants must successfully complete all five modules for a total of up to 154 hours, and must receive a "pass" or "completion" in all modules or a grade no lower than 60% for projects and assignments that are numerically graded. Throughout the modules, each student is expected to complete graphic assignments which may be compiled into a final portfolio.
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