Jason Koski/University Photography

Cornell fashion design students discuss their works in progress during a class in the Human Ecology Building design studio.

Cornell’s Department of Fiber Science & Apparel Design (FSAD) has refashioned its undergraduate majors, adding a Bachelor of Science degree in fiber science and updating the curriculum for its renamed bachelor’s degree in fashion design and management.

The new offerings will be available to current and prospective students starting in fall 2014. Previously, students selected one of three concentrations under a single fiber science and apparel design degree.

The updates more explicitly reflect career fields sought by students, said Margaret Frey, FSAD associate professor in the College of Human Ecology and director of undergraduate studies for the program.

“Our majors allow students to match their talents with their passions,” she said. “Cornell has the only fashion design program in the Ivy League, and we want to ensure that students know that’s a course of study available for them to prepare for both the design and business sides of fashion.”

Frey added that the fiber science degree has “a strong physical science basis” and “focuses on materials made from polymeric fibers.” Students can tailor the degree by adding concentrations in chemistry, materials science, ergonomics or biology.

“Fiber science is an ideal platform for students seeking to go into a variety of fields – functional apparel design, medicine, bioengineering and chemistry, for instance,” Frey said.

Ted Boscia is director of communications and media for the College of Human Ecology.