The Department of Geography’s web designer, Guylene Gadal, has built a new and classy undergraduate section for our web site that is designed, hopefully, “to get students excited about taking our classes and becoming majors” (to quote Dar Roberts, our Chair). Guylene enlisted the help of several undergrads, notably Heather Berry (research, content, and logo), Sarah Harris (picture collection, color design, and content), and Bryan Karaffa (back end coding and content), in order to get contemporary input from students. Not only are the layout and graphic design eye-catching and user-friendly, but the site is accessible via smart phones and tablets as well—and Guylene also plans to add video content.
When you access Geography’s web site, click on the heading “Academics” and then on the subheading “Undergraduates” in order to reach the new section. “About Us” introduces the Department to undergraduates (“The Geography Department offers three undergraduate degrees and participates in the interdisciplinary Minor in Spatial Studies, offered through the Center for Spatial Studies. This portion of the website is designed to help both current and prospective students familiarize themselves with the Geography Department and the academic opportunities that await them”) and provides portals to such subjects as “What is Geography,” “Why Study Geography,” “Course Offerings,” “Highlighted Courses,” “Majors Offered,” “Distinction in the Major,” “People,” “Frequently Asked Questions,” and a selection of previous undergraduate project posters.
“Resources” covers such topics as “Degree Advising,” “Mentoring,” “Campus Resources,” “Crashing Courses,” “Forms and Petitions,” “Related Course List,” and “Fulfill your GE requirements.” The tab, “Beyond Coursework,” provides information related to studying abroad, internships and assistantships, research opportunities, the Geography Club, going on to graduate school, careers in Geography, and a section devoted of our alumni–what and where a PhD in UCSB Geography can lead to. Last, but not least, is an undergrad calendar devoted to events of interest to Geography majors.
The new undergraduate section of Geography’s web site is still growing, so stay tuned for developments. Please send any and all suggestions, or plain old compliments, to Guylene at gmg.geog.ucsb.edu.
