This fundamental course provides an introduction to the basics of botany and forms a solid foundation of knowledge for the following semesters. The course covers the following areas: Species knowledge of native shrubs and trees in autumn and winter conditions and their habitat requirements, introduction to the identification of plants and consolidation of botanical terms.

The knowledge of plant species is at the core of most designs in landscape architecture. This course will introduce basic knowledge about the following topics: habitats of Switzerland (types, determination, conditions), expanding plant knowledge of native herbs, working with plant identification keys.

This lecture provides an introduction into crop and forage sciences. Aspects of sustainable production, interaction with and control of weeds will be topics as well as an introduction to the wide diversity of local plants and their groups in general. Scientific and application-related literature will be discussed; excursions provide an in-depth-learning experience.