Campus Services and Resources
UCSB is a unique close-knit community, servicing the needs of a highly diverse group scholars, students, faculty, and staff. The campus offers a wide variety of resources, services, information, and professional staff to help meet your needs throughout your academic career at UCSB. The following resources and services may be of particular interest to graduate students. More comprehensive lists of student services can be found by going to MyUCSB.
DCB Graduate Webpage
Students should utilize the departmental graduate webpage as an initial point of reference for most questions, including the following:
Access Card
The Access card is the UCSB student identification and registration card. Your Access Card acts as your:
Official University ID
Library Card: Check out Library books and materials with the ID Card you already carry
Meal Card: Use your ID Card for meal swipes in all University Dining Commons
Door Access: Access campus buildings, classrooms, computer and science labs
Event Pass: Attend Athletic Dept. events and certain AS events for free
Bus Pass: Ride all lines of the MTD Bus for free with paid student fees
RecCen: Use your ID Card for full use of gym facilities and equipment
Gaucho Bucks: Make prepaid purchases with UCSB's campus currency at all on-campus food facilities, the Bookstore, Student Health and select off-campus merchants
Access cards can be obtained at the Access and Information Desk in the UCen. There is a one-time processing fee of $30. Students should bring proof of registration and a photo ID. If you lose your card, there is a replacement fee of $30.
Transportation Services
Bus Usage
Use of the Santa Barbara MTD bus service is covered by each student’s registration fees and tuition. Once you have registered for at least 12 units, your Access card acts as your bus pass.
Parking Permits
Employed graduate students are eligible for a Staff (B) ePermit, but cannot apply until all employment paper work has been completely filled out and submitted. If you are employed less than 45% of your time, you may qualify for a C Commuter ePermit. Rates for 2022-2023 are currently $450 for an annual permit and $120 for a quarterly permit. Prices are pro-rated monthly. Rates are subject to change. Fees are paid quarterly or annually via your ePermit account.
Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP)
The Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) serves those who primarily commute between their residence and UC Santa Barbara's main campus by foot, skateboard, human-powered kick scooter, bicycle, bus, carpool, vanpool or train. By reducing traffic congestion, traffic emissions and the demand for parking on campus, we conserve energy and contribute to a better UCSB. While motorcycle and remote work may reduce greenhouse gas emissions, traffic, and parking demand, these modes are explicitly not included in the Transportation Alternatives Program's complimentary parking benefit.
TAP membership entitles you to:
Up to 6-days of complimentary campus parking per quarter
Discounted 30-day MTD bus passes and other monthly transit passes
The main campus library is Davidson Library, located at the center of campus across from The Arbor. In addition to a large print collection, the UCSB library provides a host of electronic resources, including online catalogs, databases, and full text electronic journals. All of these electronic resources are available from anywhere on campus. Most resources can also be accessed from home or other off-campus locations with the use of the UCSB Proxy Server.
Sciences-Engineering Library (SEL)
The Sciences and Engineering section of Davidson Library is located on the north side of the second floor. It is well equipped with collections related to the natural and applied sciences, engineering, and technology. Chuck Huber is the Research & Engagement librarian for our department and is available to assist you with your research. He also teaches Chemistry 284 (Chemical Literature), which is designed to familiarize you with the library and online resources. This course, typically taught once per year during winter quarter, is recommended for first year students.
Student Health Service is a primary health care facility that is available to all UCSB students. Students can use the medical services just as they would with their regular doctor's office and urgent care. The facility is fully accredited, staffed by board-certified physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, advice nurses, dietitians, optometrists, dentists, physical therapists, pharmacists, lab and X-ray technicians, social workers and counselors.
Student Health Service (SHS) provides a full spectrum of primary care services including:
Acute/urgent medical needs: strep throat, flu, accidents/injuries, intestinal/stomach problems, STI screening and treatment, pregnancy testing, emergency contraception, abdominal pain, headache, UTI, etc.
Management of Chronic conditions
Mental health diagnosis and medication management
Contraceptive counseling and prescribing including Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) such as IUDs and Implants
Vaccinations: both routine and travel
LGBTQ health including gender-affirming care
Accutane initiation and management
Eating Disorder support
Sport Physicals (Club Only)
UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP)
UC SHIP is a comprehensive insurance plan which includes Medical, Vision, Dental, and Pharmacy coverage. UC SHIP is an affordable health insurance plan tailored to the health care needs of UCSB students. The medical plan features year-round, worldwide coverage using the Anthem Blue Cross network, and includes prepaid access to care at the UCSB Student Health Center for illness or injury. For more information email, shsinsurance@sa.ucsb.edu.
The Graduate Division facilitates and coordinates graduate education and student services for all graduate academic and professional programs at UCSB. Under the supervision of the Graduate Deans and under policy set by the Academic Senate Graduate Council, the Division promotes academic excellence in graduate degree programs, fosters a diverse and inclusive graduate community of domestic and international students, and cultivates an intellectually stimulating and socially supportive climate for all graduate students (UCSB General Catalog).
Graduate Student Resource Center (GSRC)
Located on the first floor of the Student Resource Building (Room 1215), the GSRC is the primary resource for graduate students at UCSB for career and professional development support. They offer a variety of workshops and events, individual advising, and referrals to other campus resources that serve graduate students.
Graduate Peer Advisors
Current and prospective graduate students can take advantage of the services provided by the experienced graduate student peer advisors (writing, funding, and diversity & outreach). Peers take different approaches and address different audiences while working together to provide a comprehensive series of services for the graduate community. These unique positions exist and complement one another to ensure a rewarding and high quality graduate school experience and promote graduate student success.
The General Catalog is published online annually by the Office of the Registrar and is a comprehensive resource that will serve as a helpful roadmap as you explore the broad array of courses, programs, activities, and services available on our campus. The Catalog includes:
Descriptions of all courses offered at UCSB during that academic year
University and campus policies, mission statement, accreditation statement, and general information
Academic policies and procedures
College, department, and program-specific policies, requirements, and details
Financial information
The Office of the Registrar maintains official student records, registration and enrollment information, and annual and quarterly schedules and deadlines. They also serve as the campus authority regarding the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which protects a student’s right to privacy. Enrollment instructions, fee information, policies concerning grades, final exam schedules, transcript and verification information, and veterans benefits information, forms associated with registration and credit exceptions, fees, special enrollment programs, and student record changes or inquiries can all be obtained via the Office of the Registrar online or in the Student Affairs and Administrative Services Building (SAASB), Room 1101.
University and Community Housing Services is a one-stop resource for rental housing information and dispute resolution. Their experienced staff will answer your questions and provide guidance regarding your rental rights and responsibilities. Their services are available to students, faculty, staff, and property providers. Services offered include:
Off-Campus Rental Listings
Mediation Program
Rental Advice and Information
Educational Workshops
Forms
Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) is committed to providing timely, culturally appropriate, and effective mental health services to our diverse UCSB student body, as well as professional consultation to faculty, staff, and families.
All registered students are eligible for services at CAPS. When help is needed in sorting out a personal concern, CAPS is a resource for learning new skills in building self-confidence, relating to others, reducing stress, solving problems, and identifying options.
Career Services aims to educate and empower students to achieve success at UCSB and beyond. They specialize in helping students gain knowledge of their occupational goals, attain relevant career competencies and experiences, develop professional relationships, and leverage their education to address the needs and challenges of the world of work. They also offer support specifically for graduate students to help you in seeking out any career that fits your skills and interests to actualize your goals.
Fifth Grade Chemistry Outreach Program
A partnership between local elementary students and teachers and UCSB students and faculty. To improve educational opportunities for K-12 students, we have developed a program that brings fifth grade students to the chemistry lab at UCSB every Thursday morning to participate in hands-on standards-based physical science activities. The program is designed to nourish their natural curiosity in science and to stimulate an interest in pursuing a higher education in science. In addition, UCSB students are given the opportunity to share their love of science with elementary students and to consider a career path as a science educator. For more information on the program including a schedule and how to get on the mailing list, visit this link.
SciTrek
An outreach program run out of the DCB that focuses on allowing 2nd-8th grade students to experience science first hand by designing, carrying out, and presenting scientific experiments. SciTrek allows UCSB undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to volunteer within the program and acquire education and leadership skills.
Center for Science and Engineering Partnerships (CSEP)
CSEP offers professional development seminars and workshops for science, engineering and math graduate students on a variety of topics including:
Personal skill building
Communicating science
Teaching and mentoring
Career development
To refine these skills, graduate students can serve as mentors and/or teachers for K-12 students; community college and/or university undergraduates; and other community partners through their various programs. Those interested in participating should refer to the online program descriptions and contact the appropriate coordinator.
Graduate Students for Diversity in Science (GSDS)
GSDS is composed of an interdisciplinary group of young scientists at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). The cornerstone of the group lies in recognition of cultural heritage and diversity of many exceptional scientists who have set foundations through research in their respective disciplines and across many boundaries. The group aims to promote underrepresented group participation in the sciences and foster an inclusive atmosphere that celebrates diversity. GSDS tackles this using a combination of lecture series and outreach events.
Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE)
WiSE is a non-profit campus organization at UCSB founded in Spring 2001 to promote equal opportunity for women and girls in science and engineering, and improve their scientific and career advancement. WiSE encourages the participation of all science/engineering undergraduates, graduates, researchers, faculty, and professionals in the Santa Barbara area.
Graduate Student Association (GSA)
The Graduate Student Association (GSA) is the elected representative government for the UC Santa Barbara graduate students. We articulate graduate student concerns to the campus administration and campus-wide committees dealing with topics ranging from parking and student family concerns to long-range academic planning. Many graduate students, across many disciplines, are involved in helping achieve these goals and discussing future ventures for the GSA at UC Santa Barbara. They work to:
ensure that graduate student concerns are addressed in campus and off-campus policy decisions through representations on campus-wide and system-wide committees;
Provide graduate students with information concerning decisions that are relevant to student life;
Provide social activities for UC Santa Barbara graduate students;
Inform graduate students of additional campus resources and services; and,
Provide graduate students with a physical space to use for both academic and social programming.
Research Mentorship Program (RMP)
The Research Mentorship Program is a competitive, six-week summer program that engages qualified, high-achieving high school students from all over the world in interdisciplinary, hands-on, university-level research. Students will be paired up with a mentor (graduate student, postdoc, or faculty) and choose a research project from a large list of disciplines offered by the program each year.
In addition to gaining a deep relationship with their mentor, students will learn about research techniques, gain insight into professional research-based opportunities, and mature their academic goals. The lecture series - GRIT talks - will connect students to some of the best minds among the UC Santa Barbara research community as they present on their ground-breaking research and innovative technology. Along with these academic benefits, the students will be immersed in university life and network with equally ambitious and curious peers.
Engineers Without Borders (EWB)
EWB-UCSB is open to all interested persons from all fields and currently includes students, staff, and off-campus collaborators. Their mission is to partner with disadvantaged communities to improve their quality of life through implementation of environmentally and economically sustainable engineering projects, while developing internationally responsible students.
OISS serves international students and scholars, faculty and staff in pursuit of creating a UCSB academic community that is Multicultural and global in scope. Our mission is to serve international students and scholars as well as faculty and departments by responding to their needs for immigration services, cultural programs and related information, and to help the university achieve its mission of excellence as a world class research institution of higher education.
OISS provides services and advising to international students and scholars, as well as the departments that support them. Review their digital brochure here.