Program: B.S., Family and Consumer Sciences
Family and Consumer Sciences Education
Program Description
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.
Program Requirements
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. Family and Consumer Sciences Education Option
BIOL 101/L General Biology and Lab (3/1)
CHEM 110/L Chemistry in Action and Lab (3/1)
FCS 150/L Apparel Construction I and Lab (2/1)
FCS 160 Introductory Textiles (3)
FCS 201/L Introductory Food Science and Lab (2/1)
FCS 207 Nutrition for Life (3)
FCS 303 Cultural Aspects of Food and Nutrition (3)
or FCS 309 Maternal, Infant and Child Nutrition (3)
FCS 320 Family Resource Management (3)
FCS 321/L Contemporary Issues in Food and Nutrition and Lab (2/1)
FCS 322/L Equipment I and Lab (2/1)
FCS 324 Consumer Rights, Issues and Problems (3)
FCS 330 Child Growth and Development I (3)
FCS 340 Marriage and Family Relations (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: 64
Total Units for the B.S. Degree: 120
Contact
Department of Family and Consumer Sciences
Chair: Yi Cai
Sequoia Hall (SQ) 141
(818) 677-3051
Student Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate knowledge of human ecological theory and the integrative nature of the family and consumer sciences profession.
- Demonstrate and apply knowledge from their program of study to current and future issues of well-being for individuals, families and global communities.
- Demonstrate knowledge of ethical standards.
- Apply professional practice standards and skills.