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Office of the University Registrar

2009-10 Undergraduate Catalog

Course Descriptions



College of Agricultural and Life Sciences


FYC 3001 Principles of Family, Youth and Community Sciences
Credits: 3; Prereq: 30 hours or more.

An introduction to the study and practice of family, youth and community sciences. Presents analytic concepts used in the study of family, youth and community sciences. Emphasizes the vulnerabilities and needs of U.S. children, youth, families and communities, and describes human services that maximize human potential and minimize personal and societal costs. Introduces students to the roles and skills of the human service professional. (S)

FYC 3101 Parenting and Family Development
Credits: 3; Prereq or Coreq: FYC 3001.

Acquaints students with challenges and changes associated with parenthood. Includes strategies, skills and resources for understanding parenting. Diverse family types and parenting risks will also be addressed.

FYC 3112 Contemporary Family Problems and Interventions
Credits: 3; Prereq: FYC 3001, SYG 2430 or FYC 3101 and SYG 2000, with C or better grade, FYC majors only.

Focuses on the major social and family problems contemporary families face, including poverty, violence, and care of dependent elders. An emphasis is placed on family strengths and resiliency as well as social programs that help families withstand and overcome difficulties. Emphasizes the role of society, race and gender in constructing family problems.

FYC 3115 Human Services
Credits: 3; Prereq: junior or senior standing and SYG 2000 or PSY 2012.

An in-depth look at human services that assist children and families. The focus is on income support, child protection, adoption and family support programs offered through human services agencies. The course emphasizes the development of professional development helping skills for working directly with children and families.

FYC 3201 Foundations of Youth Development
Credits: 3; Prereq or Coreq: FYC 3001.

This course provides an introduction to youth development principles utilizing an ecological framework. Major theories relevant to domains of development are introduced. Then, major physical, cognitive, social and emotional changes experienced by youth in middle childhood through adolescence are explored. Application of youth development principles in context of family, school and community are emphasized throughout the course.

FYC 3401 Introduction to Social and Economic Perspectives on the Community
Credits: 3; Prereq or Coreq: FYC 3001.

An introduction to the study of community in American society. Addresses the theoretical underpinnings of the concept of community and explores changes that have affected urban and rural communities. (S)

FYC 4003 Family Financial Management
Credits: 3.

This course provides an overview of family financial management including an introduction to time value of money, financial goals based on family values, budgeting, credit, insurance, investments, estate planning, taxes and transfer of assets.

FYC 4114 Ethical Issues in Family, Youth and Community Sciences
Credits: 3; Prereq: advanced undergrads. Ethics and ethical decision-making by professionals working individuals and their families is addressed in this course. Ethical issues related to family relationships and family life is emphasized.

FYC 4126 Urban and Rural America in Transition
Credits: 3; Prereq: SYG 2000, FYC 3001, FYC 3401 with C or better grade, FYC majors only.

Communities in America are being confronted with a number of significant changes. Such shifts are not felt in the same manner across various regions or communities in the U.S. This course explores some of the current and emerging issues having differential consequences for urban and rural areas in this country

FYC 4212 Contemporary Youth Problems and Solutions
Credits: 3; Prereq: FYC 3001, FYC 3201, SYG 2000 with C or better grade, FYC majors.

Examines youth development and its ecology, emphasizing the challenges and issues facing adolescents/ youth, and the creation of communities that foster positive youth development and resiliency. Includes theoretical, methodological, empirical and practical issues regarding youth development issues and solutions. Examines the ecology of youth development, focusing on the dynamics of interactions and reciprocal relationships between youth and the various systems of the environment.

FYC 4409 Working with Nonprofit Organizations in Community Settings
Credits: 3; Prereq: junior or senior standing.

This course deals with an overview of nonprofit organizations, their functions and purpose, how they are organized and operate, and the basic structure of an incorporated nonprofit.

FYC 4410 Fund Raising for Community Nonprofit Organizations
Credits: 3; Prereq: FYC 4409.

Contemporary fund raising practices in the nonprofit sector applied to community organizations.

FYC 4425 Risk Management in Nonprofit Organizations
Credits: 3; Prereq: FYC 4409.

This course will provide the student with a foundation in the theory, principles and techniques associated with risk management. Topics include the nature and purpose of risk management; the general risk management exposures facing nonprofit organizations; and risk financing strategies for non profits.

FYC 4503 Methods of Family Life Education
Credits: 3; Prereq: FYC 3101, FYC 3201 or SYG 2430.

Educational techniques for family life educators and human science providers who will help individuals and families address key issues of development and human relationships at each stage of the life cycle.

FYC 4622 Planning and Evaluating Family, Youth, and Community Science Programs
Credits: 3.

Students will learn the basic philosophy, theory and process of planning and evaluating family, youth and community programs.

FYC 4660 Family Policy
Credits: 3.

This course will provide the student with an understanding of how professionals can influence family policy and the impact of government policies on families.

FYC 4801 Applied Social Research Methods
Credits: 4; Prereq: FYC 3001 with C or better grade, or STA 2023.

This course is designed to enable students to understand and apply the principles of social science research methods. Students learn a variety of research methods and have "hands on" experience with data collection and analysis.

FYC 4905 Individual Study in Family, Youth and Community Sciences
Credits: 1 to 3.

Selected topics and problems related to family, youth and community sciences and the student's specific area of interest.

FYC 4909 Honors Project
Credits: 1 to 6; Prereq: 3AG or 4AG; enrolled in CALS Honors Program.

A special project course restricted to students in the college's Honors Program. Students complete a project on a selected topic, issue or problem in research, teaching or extension.

FYC 4931 Senior Seminar
Credits: 1.

This course provides a capstone experience for seniors in FYCS including guidance for students in their search for employment and information regarding graduate education and research possibilities. (S-U)

FYC 4941 Practicum in Family, Youth and Community Sciences
Credits: 3; Prereq: FYC 3001, FYC 3101 or SYG 2430, and FYC 3201, FYC 3401, all with C or better.

A work experience in a human/community services agency and a professional seminar to discuss student progress, workplace experiences and issues, and critical topics in professional development. (S-U)

SLS 4941 Internship for Nonprofits
Credits: 1 to 4, variable. Prereq: FYC 3001 OR EDF 3110 FYC4409 OR EDA 4930

The internship is considered the "capstone" experience for students in the organizational leadership for nonprofits minor. Because the minor is a competency-based program, students are better able to develop and hone their competencies through the internship experience. Furthermore, the work experience gained provides students with the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to real world situations. It also helps to identify potential organizations for future employment.



General Education Categories
Consult Schedule of Courses for specific information.

  • Biological Sciences (B)
  • Composition (C)
  • Diversity (D)*
  • Humanities (H)
  • International (N)*
  • Mathematics (M)
  • Physical Sciences (P)
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (S)

* Students who entered UF prior to Summer B 2007 and/or whose catalog year is not 2007-08: Current students who have not already completed six hours of "I" - international/diversity credits can do so now by taking "D" and "N" courses.

Symbols Used in Course Descriptions

  • (WR) indicates the course satisfies the writing requirement.
  • (MR) indicates the course satisfies the math requirement.
  • (S-U) indicates the course may be taken on a satisfactory-unsatisfactory basis.
  • Refer to the Schedule of Courses for specific information.