Family and Consumer Sciences encompasses the study of the relationships among people and their personal environments. The Department focuses on the impact of the physical, biological, social and economic environments on human behavior and development. Students who major in Family and Consumer Sciences learn to improve the quality of life for individuals, families and communities by providing practical solutions to problems involving food science and nutrition, apparel and interior design, child rearing and family relations, and family and consumer economics.

Students select from six areas of study: Apparel Design and Merchandising; Consumer Affairs; Family and Consumer Sciences Education; Family Studies; Interior Design; and Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Science. All Family and Consumer Sciences majors take five Core courses that include concepts common to all Specializations, as well as courses in their Options. The Department offers experiential learning opportunities through its lab and studio courses and the Child and Family Studies Laboratory, the Consumer Resource Center and the Marilyn Magaram Center for Food Science, Nutrition and Dietetics. All Family and Consumer Sciences majors gain practical experience through internships in professional settings. Students gain leadership skills through the Student Association of Family and Consumer Sciences and the Kappa Omicron Nu national honor society.

Core Courses Required of all Options (14 Units)

FCS 170 Creative Expression in Family and Consumer Sciences (2)
FCS 232 Individual and Family Development (3)
FCS 320 Family Resource Management (3)
FCS 380 Family and Consumer Sciences Foundations and Research (3)
FCS 494/494I Academic Internship and Activity (2/1)

Interior Design Option

1. Required Option Courses (53 Units)

ART 124A Drawing I (3)
ART 141 Beginning Three-Dimensional Design (3)
ART 230 Perspective (3)
ART 315 World Perspectives in Art History (3)
FCS 113 Drafting for Interior Design (3)
FCS 114/L Introduction to Interior Design and Lab (1/1)
FCS 160 Introductory Textiles (3)
FCS 210 History of Interiors and Architecture I (3)
FCS 211 Interior Design I (3)
FCS 213/L Computer Applications for Interior Design and Lab (1/2)
FCS 214/L Interior Design Materials, Standards and Specifications and Lab (1/2)
FCS 311 Interior Design II (3)
FCS 312/L Lighting and Mechanical Systems and Lab (2/1)
FCS 314/L Building Code Systems and Detailing for Interior Design and Lab (2/1)
FCS 316 Presentation Techniques for Interior Design (3)
FCS 410 History of Interiors and Architecture II (3)
FCS 411 Interior Design III (3)
FCS 412 Organization of Interior Design Practice (3)
FCS 414 Senior Comprehensive Interior Design Studio (3)

The Family and Consumer Sciences Department reserves the right to hold examples of work completed as class assignments for a period not to exceed two years. These examples may be exhibited.

General Education (48 units)

Students majoring in FCS generally may not count FCS courses for GE. However, FCS majors may count FCS 340 in Lifelong Learning. Majors in Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Science and FCS Education Options may count BIO 101/L in Natural Sciences. Any courses outside the FCS Department that are listed in GE and also required or selected in the student’s FCS option may be counted toward meeting GE requirements. For example, CHEM 103/L is required in several FCS Options and also will count in GE Natural Sciences.

Total Units in the Core and Option: 68-70

Total Units for the B.S. Degree: 120