An annual course entitled 'Bees and Beekeeping' is taught during the spring semester at Virginia Tech. The course provides an introduction to honey bee biology, the social organization of the honey bee colony and to modern beekeeping practices. Approximately 65% of the course is devoted to honey bee biology with the remainder of the course devoted to a discussion of management practices. Students participate in two lectures and an optional laboratory weekly providing information on honey bee biology, interaction with man, diseases and parasites, hive products, seasonal hive management practices, and other topics necessary for the successful management of a honey bee hive. Participants in the laboratory have an opportunity to manage a hive from assembly to processing of honey and wax products.

Members of the Apiculture Studies group at Virginia Tech are devoted to providing assistance to beekeepers and citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia for insect related problems. In addition to providing personal assistance to inquiries about honey bees, wasps, ants, and other social insects, the group interacts with local extension offices to distribute needed information for the management of honey bee hives and control of social insects. Group members are available to state and local special interest groups and schools for lectures and demonstrations on honey bees and other social insects. Also, an annual summer beekeeping course is held at Va. Tech's Blacksburg Campus on a variety of topics including management, disease control, and queen rearing.