Web Design Fact Sheet

North Dakota State University's interdisciplinary Internet web design minor emphasizes theory and skills needed to manage Internet web content and delivery.

The Program

The Internet web design minor is coordinated through the communication department. Students complete a nine-credit core covering design concepts, software tools, coding languages and applied projects. Students also choose 12 credits of electives from options in design, scripting, programming, digital media, management, theory or independent study. A capstone project is required.

Career Enhancement

The minor is an excellent choice for students who are looking for knowledge in web site design and maintenance for a variety of career goals. Businesses and institutions more and more expect employees to maintain web sites as intra-office communication vehicles. Nearly all firms of any size expect communication professionals to understand the process of building and maintaining a web site. In fact, this knowledge is becoming more than an extra for many jobs-it's becoming a core requirement.

The University's interdisciplinary approach allows students to specialize in several facets of web design and maintenance through elective choices. Those students who wish to specialize in art and design aspects will choose at least two courses in that area, such as Digital Media, Advanced News Photography or Principles of Design for Print; those who wish to emphasize corporate and organizational web site concepts and maintenance may choose courses such as Management Information Systems, Information Technologies and Mass Media, or Web Database Programming; those who wish to emphasize education-based Information Technology (IT) may choose courses such as Introduction to Web Scripting, Introduction to UNIX or Web Database Programming. Students who wish to obtain the breadth of knowledge necessary for advanced systems administration and programming are encouraged to seek majors in computer science or management information systems.

The Web Minor Internship/Capstone Experience

This core course offers students the opportunity to put into practical use the knowledge gained through web minor course work by building a working web site for an actual client. Students are encouraged to choose an on-campus group, or off-campus non-profit/small business, which needs a web site, but normally wouldn't be able to afford services of a commercial web design firm. Because it would not offer genuine client/designer interaction, students usually may not choose to design a site for a family member, friend or their own business.

After choosing a possible client, the student approaches one of his or her web design minor instructors to act as a project adviser. The role of the adviser is to offer suggestions, to evaluate the site map and the final site, but not to provide extensive technical, design or problem-solving assistance. Students proceed to establish a professional relationship with the client, work out a site map, build the site within a reasonable time frame (about three months) and submit the site map and final site to the adviser for evaluation.

Sample Curriculum

This sample curriculum is not intended to serve as a curriculum guide for current students, but rather an example of course offerings for prospective students. For the curriculum requirements in effect at the time of entrance into a program, consult with an academic adviser or with the Office of Registration and Records.

Contact Information

Ross Collins
Department of Communication
North Dakota State University
Minard Hall 321
Fargo, ND 58108-6050

Tel: (701) 231-7295
Fax: (701) 231-7784
Email: Ross.Collins@ndsu.edu
Web: http://www.ndsu.edu/communication

Office of Admission

North Dakota State University
Ceres 114
Dept 5230, PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050

Tel: (701) 231-8643
Fax: (701) 231-8802
Email: NDSU.Admission@ndsu.edu
Web: http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/prospective_students/

(02/10)