Family and Consumer Sciences

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/I Academic Internship and Activity (2/1)

B. Apparel Design and Merchandising Option

1. Required Option Courses (22 units)

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

Pattern A: Apparel Design and Production (21 units)

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 (21 units)

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 Apparel for Special Groups (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 (18 units)

Individualized Program

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.
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 BIOL 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: 54-57

Total Units for the B.S. Degree: 120