Interdisciplinary
New fields of research and study that combine traditional fields in innovative ways are constantly evolving. In response to this, WPI encourages the formation of interdisciplinary master’s programs to meet new professional needs or the special interests of particular students.
Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Programs
Interdisciplinary Doctoral Programs are initiated by groups of at least three fulltime faculty members who share a common interest in a cross-disciplinary field. A sponsoring group submits to the Committee on Graduate Studies and Research (CGSR) a proposal for an interdisciplinary degree, together with the details of all degree requirements and the credentials of the members of the group. At least one member of the group must be from a department or program currently authorized toward the doctorate.
If the CGSR approves the proposal, the sponsoring group serves in place of a department in administration of the approved interdisciplinary program. Administrative duties include admission, advising, in preparing and conducting examinations, and in certifying fulfillment of degree requirements.
WPI and the University of Massachusetts Medical School have developed a joint doctoral program in biomedical engineering and medical physics. See Biomedical Engineering.
The Social Science and Policy Studies department offers an interdisciplinary doctoral program in Systems Modeling in collaboration with the Mathematical Sciences, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering departments. The SSPS Department also offers an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Social Science. See Social Science & Policy Studies.
Interdisciplinary Master's Programs
Interdisciplinary master’s programs may include a thesis or project requirement and require at least 30 credits beyond the bachelor’s degree. Proposals for such programs are initiated by groups of at least two faculty members from different academic departments who share a common interest in a cross-disciplinary field. The sponsoring group submits a proposal for an interdisciplinary degree to the Committee on Graduate Studies & Research (CGSR) that includes the details of a program of study and the credentials of the members of the group. At least one member of the group must be from a department or program currently authorized to award the masters degree and no more than half of the total academic credit my be taken in any one department. The CGSR may request additional input from the sponsors or appropriate departments. If the CGSR approves the proposal, the sponsoring group serves in place of a department in administration of the approved interdisciplinary program.
Current Interdisciplinary Master’s degree programs include:
MS in Systems Modeling
MS in Construction Project Management
Impact Engineering
Manufacturing Engineering Management
Power Systems Management
Systems Engineering
Materials Systems Engineering
The Certificate in College Teaching
Purpose
WPI offers an innovative program, managed by the Colleges of Worcester Consortium, for graduate students wishing to develop skills in college teaching. Many doctoral and even masters’ degree holders will devote a least some of their professional time to college-level teaching. The Certificate in College Teaching program offers an opportunity to acquire both teaching skills and professional recognition of high-level preparation to teach.
The Certificate represents a collaborative institutional response to the ever-present challenges of promoting exemplary teaching in today’s complex higher education environments. Most college professors are never trained to be teachers. Preparation for the college classroom involves more than a solid base of knowledge in a discipline; it requires a systematic inquiry into the pedagogies and processes that facilitate learning. Our certificate program is grounded in the latest educational research of best practices in college teaching, and is designed to enhance the teaching and learning experiences for faculty and students at our member institutions.
The primary focus of the Certificate is to prepare graduate students and adjunct faculty for a career in academia. Research has shown that graduate students with some formal preparation in college teaching have a substantial advantage in the academic job market. Once hired, the new faculty members are better prepared to assume their teaching duties and are, consequently, more productive in developing their research programs. Similarly, more their research programs. Similarly, more experienced college faculty can also benefit from such teaching certificate programs, as they may be very well prepared in their disciplines, but desire formal training in the pedagogy of teaching.
Program
Students may take any combination of the courses offered. Generally students begin with the 2-credit Seminar in College Teaching (IDG501, description below) which is usually taught fall, spring and summer terms. The full Certificate program is 6 credits, with three 1-credit additional elective courses taken and culminating in the one-credit Capstone Practicum.
Tuition
WPI covers costs of $250/credit for graduate students approved by their department head to participate. Adjunct and other faculty teaching at WPI should check with their department heads about departmental policies for supporting the Certificate program. WPI employees may also have tuition benefits that will cover the cost of Certificate courses; contact Human Resources for details. The program is open to all qualified persons wishing to participate at their own expense.
Information
Courses are taught at various Consortium sites, with WPI and Clark continuing to be the most common hosts. For information on specific course descriptions and availability, see the Consortium web site at Consortium web site under “Procedures for Students.”
Questions
Contact Chrysanthe Demetry, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering Program
WPI, 100 Institute Rd, Worcester, MA 01609 USA
Email: cdemetry@wpi.edu
Tel: (508)831-5195; Fax: (508)831-5178
Last modified: July 17, 2008 07:14:57