2026-2027 Academic Catalog

Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.

View Undergraduate Section View Graduate Section

Explore Programs

Explore programs to find a fit for you.

Search Courses

Explore courses by subject and keyword.

Previous Publications

Navigate to previous publications.

Agriculture and Life Sciences (ALS)

ALS 1004 - Agriculture, the Arts and Society (1 credit) 
Interpretive strategies applied to agriculture and the visual arts. Artistic representations of agriculture, farming, rural livelihoods, and agrarian landscapes. Exploration of global agricultural challenges balancing the production of food, fiber, and fuel. Apply principles of design and art using photography medium.
Pathway Concept Area(s): 6A Critique & Practice in Arts, 6D Critique & Prac in Design, 11 Intercultural&Global Aware. 
Instructional Contact Hours: (1 Lec, 1 Crd) 
ALS 1014 - Gardens as Art (1 credit) 
Interpretive strategies applied to agriculture and gardening design. Artistic representations of agriculture and landscaping. Exploration of global agricultural challenges balancing the production of food, gentrification, and location. Application of principles design and elements of visual art using gardening medium.
Pathway Concept Area(s): 6A Critique & Practice in Arts, 6D Critique & Prac in Design, 11 Intercultural&Global Aware. 
Instructional Contact Hours: (1 Lec, 1 Crd) 
ALS 1024 - Digitized Agriculture (1 credit) 
Interpretive strategies applied to agricultural art and design. Artistic representations of agriculture and nature. Agriculture through digital art (narrative art, stories, and data visualization). Exploration of global agricultural challenges balancing the production of food, fiber, fuel- and location. Elements, methods of interpreting, and principles and application of art and design using a narrative medium.
Pathway Concept Area(s): 6A Critique & Practice in Arts, 6D Critique & Prac in Design, 11 Intercultural&Global Aware. 
Instructional Contact Hours: (1 Lec, 1 Crd) 
ALS 1034 - The Aesthetics of Food (1 credit) 
Food as a method of study for art and design. Taste, smell, color, shape, presentation, memory, and packaging of food related to human cultural experience. Food presentation, marketing, and food choices in global context influence how people experience food.
Pathway Concept Area(s): 6A Critique & Practice in Arts, 6D Critique & Prac in Design, 11 Intercultural&Global Aware. 
Instructional Contact Hours: (1 Lec, 1 Crd) 
ALS 1234 - CALS First Year Seminar (1 credit) 
Exploration of topics related to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) from a multidisciplinary perspective with a focus on communication and teamwork, problem-solving, inquiry, and integration. Students explore resources to promote academic success, investigate careers and academic areas, and develop a comprehensive plan of study. Freshman and transfer students only.
Instructional Contact Hours: (1 Lec, 1 Crd) 
ALS 1984 - Special Study (1-19 credits) 
Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course 
ALS 1984L - Special Study (1-19 credits) 
Pathway Concept Area(s): 6D Critique & Prac in Design 
Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course 
ALS 2204 - Sustainable Food Systems (3 credits) 
Introduction to the economic, social, and ecological foundations of civic agriculture. Topics include industrialization, localized food systems, and citizen participation in civic agriculture. Emphasis will be given to a range of civic agriculture models, strategies, and hands-on approaches to establish, retain and strengthen community-based food and agriculture systems, locally- nationally-globally.
Pathway Concept Area(s): 1A Discourse Advanced, 7 Identity & Equity in U.S., 11 Intercultural&Global Aware. 
Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd) 
ALS 2304 - Comparative Animal Physiology and Anatomy (4 credits) 
Comparative anatomy and physiology of domestic mammals and birds including cell neural, musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, urinary, and endocrine systems.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1106 
Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 2 Lab, 4 Crd) 
ALS 2404 - Biotechnology in A Global Society (3 credits) 
Introduction to the world-wide impact of biotechnology and molecular biology, including applications to plants, animals, and microorganisms. Explores basic concepts of genetic engineering, scientific and ethical issues, and public concerns related to biotechnology. Topics include: environmental release of genetically engineering organisms, bioremediation, safety of genetically engineered food products, transgenic plants and animals, gene therapy, and genetic screening.
Prerequisite(s): (BIOL 1015 and BIOL 1016) or (BIOL 1105 and BIOL 1106) or (BIOL 1205H and BIOL 1206H) and (CHEM 1015 and CHEM 1016) 
Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd) 
Course Crosslist: BIOL 2404 
ALS 2504 - Animals in Society (3 credits) 
Animal well-being and behavior, human-animal interactions, ethical responsibilities to animals, animal care, behavior, disease, and pain recognition. Current topics concerning companion animals, domestic animals, and wildlife.
Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd) 
ALS 2604 - Intro to Interdisciplinary Research Practices (3 credits) 
Introduction to formal undergraduate research and basic research methods. Engagement in interdisciplinary collaboration via team research projects. Exploration of scholarly literature, topic development, information evaluation, citation and data management, research ethics, and scientific communication. Connections to advanced information and digital literacy topics such as research impact and digital repositories. Formal proposal development and presentation.
Pathway Concept Area(s): 1A Discourse Advanced, 10 Ethical Reasoning 
Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd) 
ALS 2964 - Field Study (1-19 credits) 
Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course 
ALS 2974 - Independent Study (1-19 credits) 
Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course 
ALS 2984 - Special Study (1-19 credits) 
Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course 
ALS 2984L - Special Study (1-19 credits) 
Pathway Concept Area(s): 6D Critique & Prac in Design 
Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course 
ALS 2994 - Undergraduate Research (1-19 credits) 
Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course 
ALS 3104 - Animal Breeding and Genetics (3 credits) 
Principles of genetics applied to improvement of domestic animals: factors affecting genetic improvement of economically relevant traits, estimation of breeding values, heritability, genetic correlations, relationships, inbreeding, crossbreeding, genetic abnormalities, genomic selection, and gene editing; ethical reasoning in animal breeding decisions.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1105 and (STAT 2004 or STAT 3005 or STAT 3615) and (APSC 1454 or DASC 2474 or DASC 2484) 
Pathway Concept Area(s): 5A Quant & Comp Thnk Adv., 10 Ethical Reasoning 
Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd) 
ALS 3204 - Animal Nutrition and Feeding (3 credits) 
Characteristics, sources, digestion, absorption, and metabolism of water, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Feeding systems for livestock, poultry and companion animals.
Prerequisite(s): ALS 2304 and (CHEM 1036 or CHEM 1036H or CHEM 1016) 
Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd) 
ALS 3304 - Physiology of Reproduction (3 credits) 
Physiological mechanisms that control and affect reproductive processes in domestic species. Investigation of the anatomy and physiology of the reproductive systems from cellular to whole-body levels with a particular emphasis on implications for reproductive function.
Prerequisite(s): ALS 2304 
Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd) 
ALS 3314 - Physiology of Reproduction Lab (1 credit) 
Investigation of the structure and function of reproductive systems of domestic species. Practical application of this knowledge is then taught through demonstrations, hands-on experiences and assignments exploring current farm-animal production systems.
Corequisite(s): ALS 3304 
Instructional Contact Hours: (0 Lec, 3 Lab, 1 Crd) 
ALS 3404 - Ecological Agriculture: Theory and Practice (3 credits) 
Presents an overview of historic and modern agricultural practices. Surveys the principles of ecology in the context of managed ecosystems, civic agriculture, and food systems. Explores ecologically based practices and their use in holistic and integrated agricultural systems.
Pathway Concept Area(s): 4 Reasoning in Natural Sci., 10 Ethical Reasoning 
Instructional Contact Hours: (2 Lec, 3 Lab, 3 Crd) 
ALS 3954 - Study Abroad (1-19 credits) 
Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course 
ALS 3984 - Special Study (1-19 credits) 
Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course 
ALS 4204 - Concepts in Community Food Systems (3 credits) 
Examination of the economic, political, socio-cultural, health and environmental issues related to community food systems and agricultural practices. Topics include local, regional and global food systems development, food production and biotechnology, food sovereignty and security, and population and environmental health. Analyze models, strategies, and policies within local, national and global food systems.
Prerequisite(s): ALS 2204 
Pathway Concept Area(s): 3 Reasoning in Social Sciences, 11 Intercultural&Global Aware. 
Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd) 
ALS 4214 - Capstone: Civic Agriculture and Food Systems (3 credits) 
Multidisciplinary, experiential community-based course focusing on civic agriculture-food systems. Work in partnership with community stakeholders to propose viable solutions to real world issues revolving around civic agriculture and food systems. Connect with communities locally, regionally or globally.
Prerequisite(s): ALS 2204 and ALS 3404 and ALS 4204 
Pathway Concept Area(s): 6D Critique & Prac in Design, 10 Ethical Reasoning 
Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd) 
ALS 4224 - Food, Agriculture, and Society Capstone Seminar (1 credit) 
Explore the interplay between food, agriculture, and society from interdisciplinary perspectives. Engage in student-led discussions, presentations, and critical thinking and synthesizing of capstone experiences embedded within the Food, Agriculture, and Society Pathways minor curriculum. Integrate research, study abroad, internships, or other experiential learning initiatives to gain practical insights toward a more just and sustainable food system. Pre: (ALS 2204 and HIST 1084) and any Study Abroad, Independent Study, or Undergraduate Research course regardless of subject designator.
Instructional Contact Hours: (1 Lec, 1 Crd) 
ALS 4244 - Global Food Security and Health Capstone Experience (3 credits) 
Food security and its relationship to human and global health challenges. Role of geography, economics, climate, politics, trade, and culture. Ethical issues and challenges to improving global food security and health. Creatively analyze, synthesize, and evaluate learned knowledge. Participate in successful discourse related to global food security and health.
Prerequisite(s): CSES 2244 and AAEC 3204 
Pathway Concept Area(s): 1A Discourse Advanced, 10 Ethical Reasoning, 11 Intercultural&Global Aware. 
Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd) 
ALS 4554 - Neurochemical Regulation (3 credits) 
Neurochemical transmission within the vertebrate brain will be examined. Emphasis will be placed on the chemical coding underlying the control of various behaviors and how these systems can be modified by various drugs or diet.
Prerequisite(s): BCHM 2024 or BCHM 3114 or BCHM 4115 
Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd) 
Course Crosslist: BIOL 4554 
ALS 4574 - Social Behavior of Birds and Mammals (3 credits) 
This course examines origins, influences and implications of social behavior in a variety of avian and mammalian species. Emphasis is placed on understanding group organization and dynamics in inter and intra-species situations. Experimental data from several disciplines (e.g., genetics, physiology, biochemistry) are reviewed to demonstrate their associations with behavioral adaptive mechanisms. Avian and mammalian species living in wild, zoo, agricultural, companion and laboratory settings are discussed.
Prerequisite(s): ALS 3104 or BIOL 2004 and BIOL 1106 
Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd) 
Course Crosslist: BIOL 4574 
ALS 4614 - Watershed Assessment, Management, and Policy (2 credits) 
Multidisciplinary perspectives of assessment, management and policy issues for protecting and improving watershed ecosystems. Topics include: monitoring and modeling approaches for assessment, risk-based watershed assessment geographic information systems for watershed analysis, decision support systems and computerized decision tools for watershed management, policy alternatives for watershed protection, urban watersheds, and current issues in watershed management. Pre: Two 4000 level courses in environmental/natural resource science, management, engineering, and/or policy in BSE, CEE, FOR, FREC, GEOL, LAR, CSES, ENT, BIOL, GEOG, AAEC, UAP or equivalent.
Instructional Contact Hours: (2 Lec, 2 Crd) 
Course Crosslist: WATR 4614 
ALS 4814 - Nutritional Neuroscience (3 credits) 
Concepts in nutritional aspects of neuroscience. Energy metabolism in central nervous system and brain regulating ingestive behavior. Communication with peripheral organs, regulation of whole body energy homeostasis, brain physiology and pathology on molecular and cellular level. Role of appetite neurocircuitry in formulation of practical solutions to societal problems such as nutrition, eating disorders, and obesity.
Prerequisite(s): NEUR 2026 or ALS 2304 
Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd) 
Course Crosslist: NEUR 4814 
ALS 4964 - Field Study/Practicum (1-19 credits) 
Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course 
ALS 4974 - Independent Study (1-19 credits) 
Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course 
ALS 4984 - Special Study (1-19 credits) 
Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course 
ALS 4994 - Undergraduate Research (1-19 credits) 
Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course 
ALS 4994H - Undergraduate Research (1-19 credits) 
Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course 
ALS 5024 - Building Multicultural Competence in Agriculture and Life Sciences (1 credit) 
Diversity and inclusion within agriculture and life sciences in academic settings and communities: university, national, and global. Virginia Tech Principles of Community and appropriate avenues of redress. Shared responsibilities and issues of privilege, bias, power, prejudice, and discrimination. Governmental and institutional policies and their effects on diversity and inclusion. Pre: Graduate Standing.
Instructional Contact Hours: (1 Lec, 1 Crd) 
ALS 5094 - Effective Grant Writing for the Biomedical aand Behavioral Sciences (1 credit) 
The grant writing process and developing student skills for successful grant writing to support research enterprises. Students will prepare a mock research grant proposal for obtaining funds from the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, or the US Department of Agriculture and participate in panel review of grant proposals of peers.
Prerequisite(s): APSC 5004 or (ALS 5064 or BIOL 5064 or BCHM 5064 or PPWS 5064) 
Instructional Contact Hours: (1 Lec, 1 Crd) 
ALS 5134 - Evidence-based Research Approaches in Agricultural and Life Sciences (3 credits) 
Application of scientific methods used in agricultural and life sciences for evidence based best practices. Identifying scientific variables under study, critically evaluate the design of a study, and examine the proper analysis of data in scientific projects. Integrate results from scientific studies and make recommendations based on the appropriate audience. Mastery of science literacy needed to conduct agricultural and life science research. Development of skills for critical analysis and scholarly communication of problems and solutions. Pre: Graduate standing.
Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd) 
ALS 5174 - Professional Practice in Agricultural and Life Sciences (3 credits) 
Integration of foundational principles and professional practices central to agricultural and life sciences (ethics, research leadership, and discourse). Exploration of the interdisciplinary nature of agriculture, including its health, food, and environmental dimensions. Incorporation of readings, media, and discourse to engage with core concepts of agriculture and life sciences and their practical professional applications. Establishment of a strong professional and academic foundation of ALS principles to apply within the chosen concentration. Pre: Graduate Standing
Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd) 
ALS 5184 - Complex Challenges in Agricultural and Life Sciences (3 credits) 
Analysis of "wicked problems" faced by the agriculture and life sciences industry. Examination of interconnected challenges facing numerous stakeholders with conflicting priorities. Economic, social, and environmental impacts of food, health, and agriculture issues. Identification of key challenges impacting industry stakeholders. Examination of solution strategies acceptable to diverse stakeholder groups. Evaluation of economic, social, and environmental impacts of proposed solutions. Exploration and assessment of career paths that will enable professionals to address and solve key agricultural and life sciences challenges. Pre: Graduate Standing
Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd) 
ALS 5194 - Agricultural and Life Sciences: Practice and Applications (3 credits) 
Appropriate and professional use of effective communication skills needed to convey diverse concepts to a wide range of audiences in food, health, and environmental contexts. Applications of discourse practices for effective problem-solving, cohesive writing structures (in academic and non-academic settings). Practical oral and visual presentation methods, and professional writing and documentation to convey information. Application of these skills in the chosen concentration to address specific agricultural and life sciences challenges. Pre: Graduate Standing
Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd) 
ALS 5204 - Research and Information Systems in the Life Sciences (3 credits) 
A focus on research techniques and processes for life science professions. Topics include: history of applied life sciences, current structure of the scientific enterprise, the scientific method and quality assurances, researching the literature, scientific writing and presentation of research results, instructional techniques, professionalism, and ethical considerations. Information technology is employed throughout the course. Students learn to use digital technologies for communication, presentation, and publication.
Instructional Contact Hours: (1 Lec, 2 Lab, 3 Crd) 
ALS 5214 - Information Systems and Research in the Life Sciences (3 credits) 
Research techniques and processes used in the life science professions. History of applied life sciences, structure of the scientific enterprise, the scientific method and quality assurances, researching the literature and critically evaluating information, scientific writing and communication of research results, professionalism, and ethics. Graduate standing required.
Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd) 
ALS 5224 - Introduction to Genomic Data Science (3 credits) 
Analysis of genomic data for applications in agriculture and life sciences. Computational tools for genomic data processing and quality control. Interpret results from genomic experiments. Summary statistics, machine learning and methods of visualization for genomic data. High Performance Computing (HPC) systems for genomic analysis. Genomic data analysis pipelines. Pre: Graduate standing.
Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd) 
ALS 5234 - Community Food Systems: Critical Inquiry in Agriculture & Life Sciences (3 credits) 
Examination of the economic, political, social, and cultural relationships pertaining to international, national, regional and local (community) food systems and agricultural practices. Local and regional food systems development, food production and biotechnology, food sovereignty and security, and population and environmental health. Analysis of models, strategies, and policies of national food systems. Pre: Graduate Standing.
Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd) 
ALS 5304 - Advanced Physiology and Anatomy of Domestic Animals (5 credits) 
Mammalian physiology and anatomy will be evaluated in domestic animals, laboratory animals, and primates. Emphasis will be on the cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, neural, muscle, and digestive physiology.
Prerequisite(s): ALS 2304 
Instructional Contact Hours: (4 Lec, 3 Lab, 5 Crd) 
ALS 5324 - Research Ethics in Agriculture and Life Sciences (1 credit) 
Principles of and skills development in research ethics to enhance professional preparation in agriculture and life sciences. Pre: Graduate standing.
Instructional Contact Hours: (1 Lec, 1 Crd) 
ALS 5334 - Professional Communication Agriculture and Life Sciences (1 credit) 
Principles of, and skill development in, academic communication to enhance professional preparation in the agricultural and life sciences. Pre: Graduate standing.
Instructional Contact Hours: (1 Lec, 1 Crd) 
ALS 5404 - Management and Analysis of Agricultural Experiments (3 credits) 
Problem-based learning approach to managing, analyzing, and interpreting experimental data common to agricultural research. Programming for statistical software packages and dissection of algorithms to troubleshoot and revise programming code.
Prerequisite(s): STAT 5615 and STAT 5616 
Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd) 
ALS 5904 - Project and Report (1-19 credits) 
Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course 
ALS 5954 - Study Abroad (1-19 credits) 
Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course 
ALS 5964 - Field Work/Practicum (1-12 credits) 
Instructional Contact Hours: (1-12 Lec, 1-12 Crd) 
Repeatability: up to 12 credit hours 
ALS 5974 - Independent Study (1-19 credits) 
Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course 
ALS 5984 - Special Study (1-19 credits) 
Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course 
ALS 6314 - Endocrinology (3 credits) 
Hormones produced in animals and their roles in development, growth, appetite, digestion, metabolism, lactation, reproduction, homeostasis, and behavior. Mechanisms by which hormones act and the factors that regulate the production and action of hormones. Endocrine disorders and hormone-based application in medicine and animal agriculture. Major methodologies in current endocrine research.
Prerequisite(s): ALS 5304 or ALS 5344 
Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd) 
ALS 6984 - Special Study (1-19 credits) 
Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course 
ALS 7964 - Field Studies (1-12 credits) 
Instructional Contact Hours: (1-12 Lec, 1-12 Crd) 
Repeatability: up to 12 credit hours