Silicon Valley, CA C 09

At A Glance

Term – C 2009

Project opportunities – MQP in CS, ECE, IMGD

Housing – Shared student apartments

Co-Directors – Professors Finkel and Orr

Preparation –1/6 unit PQP in B 2008

Application deadline – November 7, 2007 (before 1:00 pm)

LOCATION

Silicon Valley, California, is home to many of the most dynamic companies in the computer industry and in other related high-technology industries. Recent project sponsors include SRI International (a research center), eBay, and NVIDIA as well as smaller companies. Several project center students have taken full-time positions with the sponsors and with other companies in Silicon Valley.

PROJECTS

Students participating in the Silicon Valley Project Center will participate in a Preliminary Qualifying Project (PQP) during B-Term 2008. During this PQP, the students will perform background research in the area of their project, learn about the company and the industry where they will be performing their project, and hold discussions with their company mentor about their project work.

The projects will be conducted during C-Term 2009 in Silicon Valley. The students will work full-time at the sponsor's site for approximately nine weeks, from early January through early March. They will work with a mentor from the sponsoring company and with a WPI faculty advisor. The project work will include the completion of an MQP report and presentation on the project to the sponsoring organization. Admission to the Silicon Valley Project Center is based on judicial and academic standing and performance, essay response, evidence of maturity and independence, availability of projects in a specific area, qualifications relevant to the project offered, and results of an interview.

Projects may be available in Computer Science, in Electrical and Computer Engineering, and in Interactive Media and Game Development.

ESTIMATED EXPENSES –

Estimate Out-of-Pocket Expenses	$ 600 $ 700 $ 600 $ 400 $ 500 $2,800	Round trip travel to site Local commuting costs Groceries Dining out (10 x term) Weekend tourist activities & incidentals Estimated total out-of-pocket expenses
Expenses INcluded on your WPI Bill	$1,300	Housing and program expenses
Estimated Total Expenses	$4,100	Tuition and WPI On-Campus Housing NOT INCLUDED

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