Major Qualifying Project

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The Major Qualifying Project (MQP) is based on a fundamental philosophy – once you graduate, what will you be able to DO?

At WPI, the MQP, a team-based, professional-level design or research experience, makes the answer a very positive one.  The culmination of WPI's project-based undergraduate education, a successful MQP demonstrates such learning outcomes as how to communicate effectively; understand the scientific, social, and ethical dimensions of the problem; and demonstrate knowledge appropriate to your specific major. And every year the results show students finding meaningful work.

There are many possible solutions to a problem and many paths to take to get there. The MQP helps you put the theory of what you’ve learned into practice to tackle real-life scenarios and issues, often sponsored by corporations or other external organizations. You will see that the skills acquired over your undergraduate years will be your foundation on which to build your life's work. Employers are looking for mastery. The MQP, an integral part of the WPI plan, positions students to stand out in the applicant pool.

Lifelong Impact of Projects
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formerly Project Presentation Day

Undergraduate Research Projects Showcase

A celebration of research, design, and creative theses—a requirement of every graduating senior through the Major Qualifying Project—takes place each spring on campus. Student teams representing all academic departments present their work to their faculty advisors, external sponsors, and the community-at-large, and the public is invited.

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Global Projects Program. Go into the World.

Everyone wants to make their last year of college one for the ages, and what better way to do that than by going into the real world? Starting with the Class of 2022, every student will receive a $5,000 scholarship. From designing a robotic arm to sort and move scrap metal for recycling in China to analyzing the effect of wind turbines on radar in Massachusetts, the world is at your fingertips.

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MQPs In the News

The Boston Globe reports on Lola, the amputee sea turtle who received a first-of-its-kind prosthetic flipper designed by three WPI engineering students as part of their MQP. The new flipper they created will allow Lola and other injured turtles to be rehabilitated and live a more normal life--and is another step toward next-generation animal prosthetics. 

Read the Boston Globe Story
The first day at ACP involved a bit of a learning curve, but it didn’t take us long to settle in and start working. In fact, on the second day I was out collecting water samples and running water quality tests.
  • Adrienne
  • Assessing Water Quality at Landings and Onboard Canal Tugboats
I often made site visits and met with a team from ACP as well as the contractor hired to design the spillway. I also revised AutoCAD drawings from the contractor—in fact ACP is now using my revisions in their final design for the spillway.
  • Carly
  • Designing New Spillway to Release Excess Water from Lake Guton
I determined that GRP towers require less equipment and construction time, and are less likely to be damaged than steel towers. When ACP next updates the ranges, I think they will consider GRP towers.
  • Brigitte
  • Alternatives to Steel Towers Used for Navigational Cues
I provided ACP with a framework to be implemented as part of a bid package for a larger study. I also created a shoreline management plan that could help ACP minimize the effects from the upcoming increases in traffic due to the expansion.
  • Abigail
  • Study on Occupation and Use of Land Around Canal
Undergraduate Learning Outcomes
  • Have mastered fundamental concepts and methods in their principal areas of study.
  • Demonstrate global and intercultural competency by developing the capacity to identify, explain, and critically analyze the forces (such as cultural, historical, political, economic) that shape the self and others as they engage with local and global communities.
  • Have the skills, diligence, and commitment to excellence needed to engage in lifelong learning.
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Working on a project at the Panama Canal is a dream come true for a civil engineering major. It was so interesting to see how ACP works and get a first-hand view of all the remarkable processes behind the canal.
  • Carly
  • Designing new spillway to release excess water from Lake Guton
Through this experience, I decided to continue my education and hope to become a PhD student at WPI. As I have seen, there are so many opportunities here and I look forward to taking part in even more innovative experiences.
  • Adrienne
  • Assessing water quality at landings and onboard canal tugboats
We got to experience the canal in a way that tourists would not have the chance to. For example, I walked across the Gatun Locks and the new set of locks on the Pacific side.
  • Carly
  • Designing new spillway to release excess water from Lake Guton

Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The Innovation and Entrepreneurship (I&E) Center focuses on helping students’ innovative ideas turn into reality through funding and mentoring of Major Qualifying Projects. The Center also serves as a project collaboration space to support student MQP work.

A Culmination of 4 Years of Theory AND Practice

A Stepping-stone to a Rewarding Career

Preview Garcia

Q&A with Rosanna Garcia, Paul R. Beswick Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Professor Garcia answers questions about the entrepreneurial culture of WPI

Read more in the WPI Journal

Stories from WPI's University Magazine

microscope

Guardians of the Microchip

WPI researchers use world-class microscopes to detect cybersecurity threats in semiconductors

Read more in the WPI Journal
black man looking at sky

Black Hole Son

Dominic Chang ’18 applies theory to reality with black hole research.

Read more in the WPI Journal
robot on wheels

Off Road Brawn with AI Brains

The Autonomous Vehicle Mobility Institute develops technology that will keep tomorrow’s off-road vehicles rolling along.

Read more in the WPI Journal
man and woman

Transformed by, and Grateful for, the WPI Plan

Nancy and Mike Abrams ’77 continue their generous philanthropic legacy by supporting capital projects

Read more in the WPI Journal
graphic of goat

A Sweet, Interdisciplinary Experience

The Switzerland Project Center is one of the few to host both Interactive Qualifying Projects (IQP) and Major Qualifying Projects (MQP).

Read more in the WPI Journal
surgeons performing surgery

Student Project: Improving Minimally Invasive Surgery

This MQP team won the Best Paper Award at the International Symposium on Artificial Life and Robotics in Japan

Read more in the WPI Journal

Global Impact

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WPI’s First Project Center

WPI's Washington DC project center celebrates its 50th year

Read more in the WPI Journal

News

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Media Coverage

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Nantucket Current
WPI Students Evaluating Nantucket Community Pool Usage

As part of their Interactive Qualifying Project, four students at WPI's Nantucket Project Center are conducting a survey about usage of the Nantucket Community Pool. The project, in partnership with the Nantucket Community School, is one of 89 projects that WPI students have conducted at the project center since 2008 in collaboration with local organizations and town officials. “These projects have covered a wide variety of topics in areas such as energy conservation, museum studies, parks and recreation, coastal erosion, parking, sustainable agriculture, affordable housing, facilities management, light pollution, and town trees," said Nantucket Project Center Director Dominic Golding.

 

Additional Publications: The Inquirer and Mirror
Nantucket Current
Town Pilots New Streetlights On Main Street To Combat Light Pollution

Nantucket is working in partnership with four WPI students and the non-profit Nantucket Lights on a project to reduce light pollution. As part of the students’ Interactive Qualifying Project, the students will take feedback from residents on new LED streetlights and potential future lighting decisions as part of the town's adoption of an outdoor lighting by-law.

Additional Publications: The Inquirer and Mirror
Waste Management Review
JSS project uncovers the importance of recycling education

An article in Australia's Waste Management Review highlighted the work of WPI students during their Interactive Qualifying Project at the Melbourne Project Center. The students helped Jesuit Social Services' Ecological Justice Hub to support local recycling solutions by designing a plastic recycling assembly line to collect, sort, and recycle bottle caps and turn them into new products. In March, the student team was honored for its work as winners of the Forum on Education Abroad's Award for Academic Achievement Abroad.

 

 

 

Livability
Meet the People Who Help Power Higher Education in Worcester

“WPI is making contributions to global efforts around sustainability, climate adaptation, social equity and global health.” Mimi Sheller, dean of The Global School, discusses the global impact of WPI faculty and students; and the dynamic environment and cross-institutional collaboration generated by Worcester’s colleges and universities. 

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