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.

A. 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 Academic Internship (2)
FCS 494I Academic Internship Evaluation (1)

B. Apparel Design and Merchandising Option

1. Required Option Courses (15 units)

FCS 160 Introductory Textiles (3)
FCS 255 The Fashion Industry (3)
FCS 271/L Apparel Analysis and Selection and Lab (2/1)
FCS 353 Apparel and Human Behavior (3)
FCS 360/L Textiles and Lab (2/1)

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

Pattern A: Apparel Design and Production (24 units)

FCS 150/L Apparel Construction I and Lab (2/1)
FCS 250/L Apparel Construction II and Lab (2/1)
FCS 352 History of Textiles and Apparel (3)
FCS 371/L Apparel Design: Flat Pattern and Lab (2/1)
FCS 471/L Apparel Design: Draping and Lab (2/1)
FCS 472/L Apparel Design: Computer Aided Design and Lab (2/1)
FCS 475/L Fashion Development and Lab (2/1)
FCS 476 Studio Problems in Apparel Design (3)

Pattern B: Apparel Merchandising (27 units)

BUS 104 Introduction to Business (3)
ECON 160 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
FCS 356/L Analysis and Evaluation of Apparel Quality and Lab (2/1)
FCS 453/L Fashion Promotion and Visual Merchandising and Lab (2/1)
FCS 455/L Fashion Merchandising and Lab (2/1)
FCS 460/L Textile Product Analysis and Lab (2/1)
MKT 304 Marketing Management (3)
MKT 443 Retail Management (3)

Electives for Pattern B Only

Select 3 units from the following:

FCS 250/L Apparel Construction II and Lab (2/1)
FCS 324 Consumer Rights, Issues and Problems (3)
FCS 352 History of Textiles and Apparel (3)
FCS 354 Functional Fashion (3)
FCS 371/L Apparel Design: Flat Pattern and Lab (2/1)
FCS 471/L Apparel Design: Draping and Lab (2/1)
FCS 475/L Fashion Development and Lab (2/1)
FCS 496 Experimental Topics Courses in Family and Consumer Sciences (3)
MKT 440 Integrated Marketing Communications (3)

Pattern C: Textiles and Apparel (25 units)

Required Courses

Select 18 units of upper division Family and Consumer Sciences textiles and apparel courses, with approval of an advisor.

3. General Education (48 units)

Undergraduate students must complete 48 units of General Education as described in this Catalog.

Pattern B

6 units are satisfied by the following courses in the major: ECON 160 satisfies 3 units of D1 Social Sciences and BUS 104 satisfies E Lifelong Learning.

If taken, FCS 324 fulfills the Information Competence requirement.

Pattern C

3 units are satisfied by the following courses in the major: CHEM 100 or CHEM 110 satisfies B1 Physical Science; and CHEM 100L or CHEM 110L satisfies B3 Science Laboratory Activity.

Total Units in the Major/Option: 53-56

General Education Units: 42-48

Additional Units: 19-22

Total Units for the B.S. Degree: 120