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About the Projects Program

The Worcester Polytechnic Institute Projects Program offers industrial, private, governmental, and non-profit organizations the opportunity to join us in providing a real-world educational experience for future engineers, scientists, and managers. At the same time, the program provides sponsoring organizations with fresh and creative approaches to problems from university upperclass students with advice from WPI faculty. Sponsored projects may be conducted either on- or off-campus.

The program is administered by the WPI Office of Corporate Engagement, and is overseen by WPI faculty members who participate as project advisors.

Since the beginning of WPI's projects requirement in 1972, thousands of projects have been completed in cooperation with industry and with private and public organizations. In many instances, completed projects have resulted in mutually beneficial relationships that continue year after year. The purpose of WPI's off-campus projects program is to provide an improved system of instruction through pre-professional educational experiences with selected organizations.

Every WPI students completes two significant projects under faculty supervision to qualify for graduation.

The WPI projects program is unique in two ways:

1. students are under the supervision of at least one faculty member throughout the project, and
2. in order to earn the degree of Bachelor of Science, students must successfully complete two such projects to the satisfaction of the faculty member.

Each project is undertaken by the students usually through the completion of a proposal accompanied by an approximated budget. The mutual agreement of all parties to the scope and cost of the project constitutes a commitment to proceed. Students must submit complete, professional-quality reports to their advisor and sponsor before receiving credit for their projects. They are encouraged to make formal oral presentations at the sponsor's work site. Abstracts of all projects are published and widely circulated annually. Several competitions for best projects of the year are conducted, and outstanding project sponsors are recognized through these WPI publications and at major college events, and at regional and national professional conferences.

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Last modified: May 25, 2011 14:49:05