• Program Overview
• Project Centers in the World
• Field Notes: Student Projects
• Resources for Current Students
  • Applying to the Global Perspective Program
  • Handbook for IQP Advisors and Students
    • Detailed Table of Contents
• Resources for Advisors
• Information for Sponsors
• Resources for Families
• About WPI

Appendix 4: Example of Faculty Project Guidelines

IQP Expectations and Schedule

Your IQP should be a valuable educational experience which integrates material you have learned in classes as well as allowing you to explore new topics. Your faculty advisors and company liaisons will guide you but you should take responsibility for your own project. In one word, this means that you should take INITIATIVE!!! Come to project meetings prepared, with an idea of w hat you think should be done next, or with specific questions or problems if you are encountering difficulties.

The benefits you gain from the IQP experience will be proportional to the effort that you invest. Make sure the project you select is interesting to you. Also understand that you and your teammates may have somewhat different expectations regarding the effort you plan to expend, and the ways you will work together. You should discuss your expectations at the beginning of the project.

Weekly Report

You should spend 15 hours per week per person working on your project. We will meet weekly to discuss your progress and plans. You should submit a brief weekly report, preferably the day before the meeting, with the following sections:

1. Progress Report - what you accomplished during the preceding week.
2. Weekly Plan - what you plan to do in the coming week.
3. Problems/Obstacles - any concerns you might have that you want to discuss at the meeting.

The weekly report gives us an agenda for each meeting, ensuring we discuss important issues, and also helps me monitor your progress. You are encouraged to submit the report via E-mail.

I am also happy to speak with you at any time outside of the weekly meetings.

Project Schedule

During the first term, you will work to develop a clearer understanding of the sponsoring company's environment, the problem you will be addressing, and the activities you will carry out to complete the project. You should develop a better understanding of the scope of the project, and the range of solutions or techniques that are feasible. By the end of the first term, you will complete a project proposal. The attached handout details what the project proposal should contain. The proposal will be distributed to your liaisons at the sponsoring company for feedback, and to ensure that everyone agrees on the scope of your project. At the end of the first term or the beginning of the second. you will also present the proposal to the sponsoring company.

During the second term, you will do the work you outlined in the proposal. You should try to complete the work that you promised the sponsoring company.

During the third term, you will complete the final report. You should allow time for both the client and faculty advisor to provide feedback before you write the final draft. The project will be completed with a formal presentation to the client. A separate presentation to WPI faculty and students on April 21 is also required.

You can expect me, except during conferences or exam week, to read and respond to anything that You give me within 3 days. Sometimes I can provide faster turnaround time, but that depends on my schedule. If you want feedback quickly, it helps to tell me that you will be handing something in several days in advance, so that I can make a note on my calendar. Feel free to ask questions if my comments are not clear.

Grading

I will give you a letter grade evaluating your performance each term. This grade is from the final project grade, and is not likely to be changed at the end of the project (although I have this option). I will also try to give you specific feedback on your performance around midterm.

Grading criteria are difficult to articulate, but A, B,, and C projects can be characterized as follows:

• An A project in one in which students identify clear objectives, and then follow through to meet their objectives. The students take the initiative to identify what must be done to meet their goals. Finally, they write a good clear project report describing their efforts.
• A B project is one in which students accomplish their objectives, but they rely heavily on their faculty advisor(s) for guidance. In other words, they do everything they are told to do and do it well.
• A C project is one which the sponsoring company claims is satisfactory, but the quality of the work is less than the faculty advisor anticipated.

The grading criteria emphasize initiative as well as work quality because both will be important to your success after graduation.

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Last modified: October 19, 2006 13:03:19