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About the Program

Listen to an overview of the program by director, Dr. Doug Pfeiffer.


Courses

Courses for the program are divided into five different concentrations:

  • Biosecurity, Bioregulations, and Public Health
  • Education
  • Environmental Science
  • Food Safety
  • Plant Science and Pest Management.

There is also a required core curriculum.

How will the Masters of Agricultural and Life Sciences online degree program benefit me?

You can learn new skills by completing this program. Successful candidates in the program should be able to:

  • Locate, access, and evaluate research literature.
  • Describe the role that trade, marketing, or biotechnology has on agriculture and the life sciences.
  • Delineate how global issues affect agricultural and life sciences.
  • Describe in significant depth a specific topic that they chose for their project and report, and demonstrate both critical thinking and cogent analysis on this topic.

How Many Credits Do I have to Take to Get My Degree?

The degree program has a Core and then five areas of concentration. You must complete 30 graduate credits, composed of the following:

  • at least 9 credits will be from Core courses,
  • at least 12 credits in an area of concentration that you select, and
  • at least 6 credits will be in the form of a Project and Report

The Project and Report will be tailored for your interests and background by your Advisory Committee. This will typically be a project that you do locally. The Project and Report will require you to understand, analyze, and interpret scientific knowledge in your chosen area of concentration and to synthesize new ideas and procedures based on this analysis. Each report will be of sufficient quality so that it can be shared with a broader audience. You will defend your report in an oral examination.

Item Minimum No. of Credits
Core Courses 9
Project and Report 6
Area of Concentration 12
Electives 3
Total: 30

Can I transfer credits into the program?

You can transfer credits up to the University-approved maximum number at the graduate level, based on your petition, and approval of the Program Director and your Advisory Committee

What is an Advisory Committee and how does it affect me?

The Advisory Committee will be composed of your major advisor and two committee members. The major advisor must be a faculty member in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech. This committee will help you select courses and your project, review your report, and participate in your oral examination. They are here to help you grow and develop.

How long does it take to complete the program?

It will take approximately four years to complete the program, assuming that you take 1-2 courses each semester. This does not include additional semesters needed to fulfill any prerequisite requirements.

Who do I contact for additional information?

Please contact Doug Pfeiffer, Director, (dgpfeiff@vt.edu, 540-231-4183) for general information and assistance with applying and getting accepted.

What is the Graduate Honor Code?

All courses will abide by the Graduate Honor System. Your attendance at an exam or submission of any assignments shall be your pledge that you subscribe to and accept the Graduate Honor Code and Honor System. You are expected to:

  • Turn in all assignments on time or with a documented excuse if they are late.
  • Report any Honor Code violations that you have directly observed.

Are accommodations made for Religious and Ethnic Holidays?

Instructors should make accommodations for anyone who misses an assignment because of a religious or ethnic holiday. Please refer to the list of holidays posted by the University Registrar. If you wish to reschedule because of a conflict with one of the holidays:

  1. Please send an e-mail note to your instructor at least one week before the due date of the assignment.
  2. Indicate that you are requesting to reschedule for religious or ethnic reasons.
  3. Specify the day in conflict and the holiday that you observe.

Your instructor will respond with information on making up the assignment.

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Courses Spring 2012

Dates to Remember

Apr 23: Web Drop/Add begins for Fall Semester 2011.
May 13: Web Drop/Add closes for Fall Semester 2011.
August 6: Web Drop/Add reopens for Fall Semester 2011.
August 22: Last Day for Students to withdraw from Fall Semester to avoid tuition and fee charges.
August 22: Classes began.
August 26: Last day for students to add classes and to add or drop audit option.
September 30: Last day for students to drop fall 2011 classes without grade penalty.

More Timetable and Calendar deadlines >>

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