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)

Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Science

1. Required Option Courses (37 units)

BIOL 101/L General Biology and Lab (3/1)
BIOL 215/L Introductory Microbiology and Lab (3/1)
BIOL 281 Human Physiology (3)
CHEM 103/L Introductory Chemistry I and Lab (3/1)
CHEM 104/L Introductory Chemistry II and Lab (3/1)
CHEM 235/L Introductory Organic Chemistry and Lab (3/1)
FCS 201/L Introductory Food Science and Lab (2/1)
FCS 301 Food Science and Technology (3)
FCS 304 Food Service Production and Lab (2)
FCS 307 Advanced Nutrition: Macronutrients (3)
FCS 404/L Food Service System Management and Lab (2/1)

2. Patterns: In consultation with an advisor, select Pattern A or B:

Pattern A: Nutrition and Dietetics (37 units)

AAS/AFRS/CHS/ENGL 115 Approaches to University Writing (3)
CHEM 365/L Introduction to Biochemistry and Lab (3/1)
COMS 151/L Fundamentals of Public Speaking and Lab (2/1)
FCS 308 Advanced Nutrition Micronutrients (3)
FCS 321/L Contemporary Issues in Foods and Nutrition and Lab (2/1)
FCS 402 Medical Nutrition Therapy I (3)
FCS 403 Medical Nutrition Therapy II (3)
FCS 408 Community Nutrition (3)
POLS 155 American Political Institutions (3)
or POLS 403 State and Local Government (3)
PSY 150 Introduction to Psychology (3)
SED 525HE Methods of Teaching (3)
SOC 150 Introductory Sociology (3)
or ANTH 150 The Human Adventure: Introduction to Anthropology (3)

Pattern B: Food Science and Administration (15 units)

FCS 207 Nutrition for Life (3)
FCS 302 Food Product Development and Quality Assurance (2)
FCS 322/L Equipment I and Lab (2/1)
FCS 401/L Food Chemistry and Analysis and Lab (2/1)
MATH 140 Introductory Statistics (4)

Electives for Pattern B Only (6 units)

BLAW 280 Business Law I (3)
COMP 100 Computers: Their Impact and Use (3)
ECON 300 Economic Principles and Problems (3)
FCS 308 Advanced Nutrition: Micronutrients (3)
FCS 321/L Contemporary Issues in Foods and Nutrition and Lab (2/1)
FCS 324 Consumer Rights, Issues and Problems (3)
FCS 496 Experimental Topics Course (3) (as offered)
JOUR 100 Mass Communication (3)
JOUR 110 Writing, Reporting and Ethics I (3)
JOUR 310 Article Writing (3)
JOUR 350 Photojournalism (3)
JOUR 460 Magazine Journalism (3)
MGT 473 Personnel Administration (3)
MKT 304 Marketing Management (3)
MKT 348 Consumer Behavior (3)
MKT 441 Sales Management (3)

General Education (32-48 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: 72-88

General Education Units: 32-48

Total Units for the B.S. Degree: 120