Starting a Project

For students, getting started on the right foot with your SUFF, IQP or MQP is often critically important to a successful and rewarding project experience. Some factors that contribute to a good start are:

Register early! The IQP and MQP are worth one unit of credit - the equivalent of 3 courses. The project is a central part of every student's course schedule, not an addition to it. Students who work on an IQP or MQP spread over 3 terms register for two courses plus the project activity instead of the usual 3-course full load per term. Be sure to pick your courses carefully relative to your project commitment. A false or late start, or starting over, will only serve to compound the impact on your schedule and could delay your graduation date. Registration Forms are now available on the Registrar's Forms page.
When a SUFF is completed, the student submits a Completion of Degree Requirement (CDR) form to the faculty advisor in order to have the final grade transmitted to the Projects & Registrar's Office. On this form, you will place an abstract description of your project (up to 80 words). That abstract is transcribed onto your transcript along with the project title and grade. The abstract remains a part of your transcript for all time. It will be read by graduate school admissions committees, potential employers and others. You, therefore, should put much thought into selecting your project, and make every effort to complete your project in an excellent manner.
When an, IQP, or MQP is completed, the student submits online and after advisor approval students print an electronic Completion of Degree Requirement (eCDR) form to give to the faculty advisor in order to have the final grade transmitted to the Projects & Registrar's Office.

Suggestions to students for selecting a project and getting off to a good start in project work:

Examine your project options carefully and completely (Attend the Global Project Opportunities Fair and review the Directory of Available Projects).
Choose your project partners with care. Be confident that your team will share the work proportionately and that they share your same enthusiasm for the topic of the project.
Choose your faculty advisor with the same care. With a faculty advisor who proposes a project topic weigh the compatibility you and your team will have with him/her as well. Be comfortable with this relationship right from the start.
As a first step, with input from your advisor, develop a scope statement, action plan, and budget (if applicable). This may be in the form of a project proposal.
Discuss the expectations of your advisor (and a sponsor's liaison if there is one) as to the expected end result of the project. (e.g., what is expected to be delivered upon completion of the project) Discuss such matters as frequency of meetings and progress reports. Set up a schedule.

More information on Getting Started:

How To Propose Your Own Project: Students are encouraged to propose their own ideas for an IQP or MQP. Follow these suggestions for writing a brief description that you can show to potential faculty project advisors.
How to Write a Project Proposal: This guide details how to structure a proposal for an IQP or MQP. A proposal is usually required if you are seeking financial support for your IQP or MQP.
Handbook for IQP Students and Advisors: This handbook, produced by the Interdisciplinary and Global Studies Division, provides helpful information for all students and faculty participating in IQPs, both on and off-campus.
myWPI Project Site Request Form: You can use the features of myWPI to manage your project, communicate with your group members, and maintain documents pertaining to the project. Use this electronic form to request a group within myWPI.
Project Advisors and Codes: Each faculty member is assigned a two or three letter advising code. What's your advisor's code? Find out here.
Project Topic Codes and Faculty Consultants: MQP's, IQP's, and Sufficiencies have topic codes, indicating the field of study the project involves. Each code has at least one associated faculty member who serves as a consultant for students interested in pursuing a project within that topic area. Find out what topic code your project should be here.
WPI Global Perspectives Program: If you are considering going abroad to do a project, look here for a list of project centers and available terms, complete with pictures, deadlines, and cost information for the current academic year.
Confidentiality In Social Science Research: Students intending to conduct individual interviews or a survey of a limited group as the basis for forming opinion related to the subject of an Interactive Qualifying Projects (IQP), either at a global project center or site, or at a domestic location within the United States, is advised to read this statement as a guide for conducting such research, and recognizing some of the related issues.
Human Subjects: Students that undertake projects in which human subjects are involved are advised to read the attached statement as the WPI position on such activities.

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Last modified: November 26, 2012 10:36:00