• Introduction to WPI
• Section 1: The WPI Plan
  • WPI Degree Requirements
  • Bachelor of Science vs. Bachelor of Arts?
  • The Planning Process
  • Academic Advising
  • Major Areas of Study
  • Concentrations
  • Minors
  • Double Majors
  • Minimum Distribution Requirements for Students
  • Courses Qualifying for Engineering Distribution Areas
  • Projects
  • Projects Program
  • Project Centers
  • The Major Qualifying Project (MQP)
  • The Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP)
  • Residential Projects Programs
  • On-Campus IQP Programs
  • Humanities and Arts Requirement
  • The Social Science Requirement
  • Awards and Prizes
• Section 2: Department and Program Descriptions
• Section 3: Course Descriptions
• Section 4: Academic Policies and Procedures
• Section 5: Unique Opportunities at WPI
• Section 6: Career Development & Graduate School
• Section 7: Admission, Expenses, Financial Aid & Housing
• Section 8: Trustees, Administration & Faculty
• Supplement
• Search

Concentrations

Definition:

A Concentration is an option associated with a Major which provides recognition for focused and coordinated academic work either within the Major or within an area of study closely related to the Major.

Rules:

1. All Concentrations require completion of two units of integrated academic study plus an MQP with a topic and content appropriate to the given Concentration.
2. Concentrations deemed to belong exclusively or primarily within the stated Major must be accommodated within the distribution requirements of that Major.
3. Concentrations deemed to have a substantial interdisciplinary nature can exceed the normal 10-unit allotment of the Major by as much as 1 unit, provided that the additional requirements do not include or permit academic work designated by the Major prefix or coursework normally taken to satisfy the Major's portion of the distribution requirements. Furthermore, Concentrations of an interdisciplinary nature are permitted to use up to 1 unit of the academic program beyond the distribution requirements of the Major, including the IQP, Sufficiency, Social Science requirement, and Free Electives, as deemed appropriate.
4. The requirements of the Concentration must be designed to offer choices for the student within the Major area and, if relevant, outside the distribution requirements of the Major; however, the Concentration requirements must not preclude meeting the normal distribution requirements for the Major.
5. Rules and guidelines for each Concentration will be formulated by the faculty associated with the governing Major, and must be reviewed by the Committee on Academic Operations (CAO) and subsequently approved by the Faculty. CAO is empowered to rule on whether a proposed Concentration is disciplinary or interdisciplinary.
6. An individual program of study leading to a Major with a Concentration will be planned by a student in consultation with his/her academic advisor. The student's intention to pursue a Concentration will be declared by application to the appropriate Program Review Committee in accordance with that Committee's schedule of deadlines. Application deadlines should be designed to enable Committee review and communication of decisions to students at a sufficiently early point that flexibility of schedule still exists. Extenuating circumstances may be considered at the discretion of the Program Review Committee.
7. Concentrations and minors are additional degree designations. Any credit earned for an additional degree designation must not overlap with credit earned for another additional degree designation by more than one unit. Also, no credit-bearing activity may be triple-counted towards degree designations or degree requirements.

Listings of Concentrations may be found in the "Department and Program Descriptions" section beginning on page 67.

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Last modified: February 07, 2007 10:19:38