Online Master of Agricultural and Life Sciences
Browse by
The Online Master of Agricultural and Life Sciences (OMALS), http://www.cals.vt.edu/online/, is uniquely positioned to meet the evolving and dynamic needs of today’s agricultural professionals. The program offers concentrations in the areas of education, environmental science, food safety and biosecurity, and leadership studies, as well as plant science and pest management. In addition to engaging classes, students benefit from the opportunity to work on-on-one with well-respected faculty in Virginia Tech's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences to complete a rigorous final project, using what they've learned and developing real-world research and communication skills. This collection showcases final projects completed by current and former OMALS students.
Recent Submissions
-
Spotsylvania County Meaningful Day Program
(Virginia Tech, 2021-02-01)The Spotsylvania County Meaningful Day Program (SCMDP) engages students in a one-day, hands-on learning experience that promotes critical thinking about agriculture, forestry, watershed management, and watershed ecology. ... -
Forest stand characteristics of Jefferson National Forest that observed gypsy moth defoliation from 2015-2019 in southwestern Virginia
(Virginia Tech, 2021-01-27)The gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar L., Lepidoptera: Erebidae) is an invasive forest pest that has greatly impacted oak dominated forest stands in the northeastern United States. The pest, introduced in the 1860s in Massachusetts, ... -
Identification & Analysis of Volunteer Motivations at the New River Valley Special Olympics
(Virginia Tech, 2020-12-30)Volunteerism, which can be defined as the act of volunteering or helping others without financial benefits in return (Janus & Misiorek, 2018), is not a new concept within America. For centuries, people have engaged in ... -
Food Safety in the Coronavirus Pandemic
(Virginia Tech, 2020-12)This project was written to provide resources for consumers and industry on food safety for food deliveries with considerations for COVID-19. There are on going, mandated shutdowns across the United States causing the rates ... -
Small Scale Iris Production
(Virginia Tech, 2020-11-24)Many ornamental crops are produced by breeders, hobbyists, and garden enthusiasts through small scale operations. Making a thorough assessment of a site’s potential will determine if it is suitable for such production. ... -
The Nature of Us: A Curriculum that Draws Parallels Between Horticulture and Wellbeing
(Virginia Tech, 2020-09-23)As the global population increases and advances technologically, humans move away from rural living and towards urbanization, resulting in the decline in the amount of green space and connection to nature. American teenagers ... -
Proper fertilizer placement through better soil sampling with precision agriculture
(Virginia Tech, 2020-09-09)Fertilizer use and proper nutrient management are key components to stay economically competitive in agriculture. Fertilizer that is removed from fields during harvest must be replaced to ensure nutrient availability for ... -
Evaluation of Food Recalls and Withdrawals Trends Between 2014 and 2018 and Risk Management Tools to Reduce the Financial Impact of a Recall
(Virginia Tech, 2020-08)Food products are regulated by both the USDA and the FDA. Food recalls are voluntary and can be classified as class I, class II, or class III, depending on the risk to the public. In this project, food recall and withdrawal ... -
Strategies to Improve Volunteer Retention at 1040 Initiative
(Virginia Tech, 2020-08-04)Volunteerism has played a major role worldwide, benefiting and helping many across the globe (Connors, 2012). A key component to volunteerism is the importance of volunteer retention. Volunteer retention is an imperative ... -
Program Analysis of Student Athlete Workshop Beyond VT
(Virginia Tech, 2020-08-03)This research study evaluated the effectiveness of the Virginia Tech Office of Student Athlete Development’s Beyond VT event. Study participants attended the Beyond VT event, a career development workshop offered to ... -
Factors that Affect Implementing the MIND Diet in the Acute Care Setting to Prevent Alzheimer's Disease
(Virginia Tech, 2020-08-10)Alzheimer’s disease is a debilitating and life-altering diagnosis that continues to rise each year, as our population continues to live longer. While there is currently no proven cure for the disease, there are proactive ... -
Plants and Property Values Course Videos
(Virginia Tech, 2020-07-27)This publication includes the videos utilized in an online curriculum Plants and Property Values for reference when viewing the project and report titled "Online course development to support adult learning of landscaping ... -
Online course development to support adult learning of landscaping design principles to improve the curb appeal of a home
(Virginia Tech, 2020-07-28)With the expansion of online access, there has been an increase in the demand for internet learning through both formal and informal channels. While online landscaping courses are available for future landscape professionals, ... -
Importance of Sanitation and Allergen Preventive Controls Validation
(Virginia Tech, 2020-05-04)The Preventive Controls for Human Food (PC) Rule, published in 2015, expanded on the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) approach by including sanitation, allergen, and supply chain preventive controls for food ... -
Winter Hardiness and Spring Regrowth of Four Varieties of Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) in Eastern North Carolina
(Virginia Tech, 2020-06-04)Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) is attracting attention in the United States in response to consumer demand for healthier low-calorie sweeteners. Farmers are looking at stevia as a valuable alternative crop to add to their ... -
Biological watermelon (Citrullus lanatus L.) seed treatments for control of Acidovorax citrulli
(Virginia Tech, 2020-06-03)Acidovorax citrulli is a seedborne pathogen responsible for bacterial fruit blotch (BFB), an economically important disease in melon and watermelon throughout the world. BFB is highly virulent and in affected fields can ... -
Effects of Nitrogen Fertilization on Forage Sorghum Nutrient Composition
(Virginia Tech, 2020-05-03)Whole plant nutrient composition was investigated as forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench) nitrogen (N) fertilization regimes were changed for Virginia production systems. Five N rates were applied to forage sorghum ... -
Body Project Implementation in Virginia Tech Athletics: Effect on Body Image Satisfaction and Thin Idealization
(Virginia Tech, 2020-05-21)Eating disorders and disordered eating have a prevalence of 6% to 45% in collegiate female athletes (Knapp, Aerni, & Anderson, 2014). Thin idealization and body image dissatisfaction are risk factors for the development ... -
Foliar Fertilization of Soybean in North Carolina and Southeastern Virginia
(Virginia Tech, 2020-05-17)The purpose of this project was to determine the need for foliar fertilization of soybean. The objectives for this research were (1) to determine soybean plant tissue and yield response to foliar fertilization with ... -
Analysis of Soil Tests: Nutrients and Soil Properties to Help Farmers Improve Management Practices
(Virginia Tech, 2020-05-11)Soil nutrients and properties are the foundation of plant growth and our health. The basis of our soil starts with its texture. Soil texture impacts infiltration rate and cation exchange capacity; which in turn affects ...