FNES Old home

The Department of Family, Nutrition, & Exercise Sciences (FNES) is an interdisciplinary department that brings together people who study family and consumer sciences, textiles and apparel, nutrition, dietetics, physical education, and exercise science. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals preparing to become teachers of family and consumer sciences and physical education. FNES is dedicated to a complex and demanding mission: to provide quality educational experiences and conduct groundbreaking research to enhance the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities in an increasingly global society.

FNES (pronounced as “finesse“) is one of eight departments in the Division of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and is housed in two buildings, Remsen Hall (family and consumer sciences, textiles and apparel, nutrition, and dietetics) and Fitzgerald Gymnasium (exercise science and physical education).

Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Family, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences, Queens College, CUNY, is to prepare individuals to assume leadership roles in family and consumer sciences, nutrition, and exercise sciences, and in teacher education in family and consumer sciences and physical education; to create new knowledge through research and in-depth study of the respective disciplines; and to apply current knowledge to enhance the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities in an increasingly global society.

In an effort to provide educational experiences in family and consumer sciences, foods, nutrition and dietetics, nutrition and exercise sciences, textiles and apparel, and teacher education in family and consumer sciences and physical education that demand a high level of academic excellence and scholarly achievement built on a foundation of liberal arts and sciences, the department’s mission is more fully expressed in the following departmental goals:

A. Development of Knowledge of Current and Emerging Concepts

1. Develop individuals who have knowledge of major theories and theorists as well as existing and emerging concepts in the respective disciplines.
2. Develop individuals who have knowledge of the technical content elements and the major methods of the respective disciplines.

B. Development of Critical Thinking

1. Develop individuals who are reflective, and demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving abilities in a self-directed approach to the pursuit of lifelong education in the respective disciplines.

C. Development of Effective Communication Skills

1. Develop individuals who are able to demonstrate effective oral and written communication in the delivery of information in the respective disciplines.
2. Develop individuals who can successfully utilize a broad array of current and advanced technologies and media services to improve the effectiveness of communication of information.

D. Development of Cultural Competence

1. Develop individuals who recognize, respect and are sensitive to persons of all ages and lifestyle preferences from diverse cultural, racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, educational and professional backgrounds in the adaptation and delivery of professional services.

E. Development of Research Competence

1. Develop individuals who are prepared to gather, interpret, critique, and assess the research literature in order to evaluate complex problems and issues in the respective disciplines.
2. Develop individuals who are prepared for advanced study, research, and scholarly activities in the respective disciplines.

F. Development of Professional Competence

1. Develop individuals who can function safely and effectively while adhering to professional values and standards of practice in the respective disciplines.
2. Develop individuals who are able to demonstrate collaboration and teamwork, positive attitudes towards work, professional demeanor, and leadership skills.
3. Develop individuals to become active members of professional organizations who will be committed to professional development.
4. Develop individuals who recognize the importance of utilizing the interrelationships of the various disciplines in the enhancement of the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.​​​​