Major Qualifying Project (MQP)

O. virilis, an invasive species in the New England area, is the subject of several research projects being conducted  in the Biology Department.

            As a student at WPI you must complete a Major Qualifying Project (MQP).  This project must be in your major field of study and should demonstrate application of skills, methods, and knowledge of the discipline to the solution of a problem that would be representative of the type to be encountered in one's career.  In biology and biotechnology, these are traditionally laboratory or clinical research projects.

            You will receive the equivalent of three courses worth of credit for this project work, and are expected to spent a significant amount of time and effort on the work.  This work can be spread out over several terms dependant on the project and student schedules.  If you plan to take the equivalent of one course worth of credit in a given seven week term, you would be required to put in an average of 15 hours a week on project work.  In this case, the project would be done over three terms.  Other schedules are possible and can be worked out between the you and your project advisor. 

            Biology and Biotechnology MQPs can be done on or off campus.  On campus MQPs can be done in a faculty member's research lab or, in the department's ProjectLab now is its second year in Salisbury Labs 214.  Off campus projects can be done at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, or at area biotechnology companies.  All projects must be approved by a Biology & Biotechnology Department faculty member or an associated Biology and Biotechnology faculty member; this individual will become the advisor of record and monitor your progress through meetings with you and close communication with the off campus supervisor.

For more information on the WPI projects program please visit the Project Program's site.

Project Presentation Day

Project Resources

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Last modified: April 24, 2008 10:20:05