Interdisciplinary Programs

Department Web Site

R.F.Vaz, Dean;
K.Rissmiller, Associate Dean;
 Assistant Professors: R. Krueger, S. Jiusto
Adjunct Professor: S. Vernon-Gerstenfeld
Adjunct Assistant Professors: F. Carrera, D. Golding, C. Peet

The Provost Office, in conjunction with the Interdisciplinary and Global Studies Division (IGSD), operates those academic functions or programs which require an interdisciplinary administrative structure. In addition, the IGSD also provides the support structure for students who construct individuallydesigned (ID) majors which cannot readily be accommodated in traditional academic departments.

ID majors may be defined in any area of study where WPI’s academic strengths can support a program of study, and in which career goals exist. Many combinations of technical and non-technical study are possible. Do not be limited by the example given here; if you have questions about what programs at WPI are possible, please see Prof. R. Vaz in the Project Center to discuss how WPI can assist you in reaching your goals.

Procedure for Establishing an Interdisciplinary (Individually-Designed) Major Program

Students who wish to pursue an individually-designed major program should first discuss their ideas with their academic advisor. The student should then consult with the dean of the IGSD, Prof. Richard Vaz, who will determine, with the assistance of other members of the faculty, if the proposed program is feasible, and, if it is, arrange for its evaluation.

The following procedures will be followed for feasible programs:

  1. The student must submit to the dean of the IGSD an educational program proposal, including a “definition of scope,” and a concise statement of the educational goals of the proposed program. Goals (such as graduate school or employment) should be specified very clearly. The proposal must be detailed in terms of anticipated course and project work. The proposal must be submitted no later than one calendar year before the student’s expected date of graduation, and normally before the student’s third year.
  2. The Dean of the Interdisciplinary and Global Studies Division will name a three-member faculty committee, representing those disciplines most involved in the goals of the program, to evaluate the proposal. The committee may request clarification or additional information for its evaluation. The proposal, as finally accepted by the committee and the student, will serve as an informal contract to enable the student to pursue the stated educational goals most effectively.
  3. Upon acceptance of the proposal, the student will notify the Office of Academic Advising and the Projects and Registrar’s Office of the choice of ID (individually-designed) as the designation of major. The IGSD then becomes the student’s academic department for purposes of record-keeping.
  4. The three-person faculty committee will serve as the student’s program advisory committee, and will devise and certify the distribution requirements (up to a limit of 10 units including the MQP) appropriate to the student’s program. The programs below are the established majors administered through IGSD.

The programs below are the established majors administered through IGSD:

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Last modified: February 05, 2009 13:06:23