Major Areas of Study
Guidelines for the construction of the most common major programs are given alphabetically by area in the Department and Program Descriptions. The exact program of study for any student, however, is developed by the student with the aid of an advisor.
All of the majors below, with the exception of Environmental and Sustainability Studies, and Liberal Arts and Engineering, are awarded with the B.S. degree. Some programs are listed that are developed through the departments indicated in parentheses. In the past, WPI has graduated students in the following fields, but this list should not be interpreted as necessarily putting any restriction on a student's "major:"
Actuarial Mathematics (MA)
Aerospace Engineering (ME)(accredited by ABET)
Biochemistry (CBC) (certified by the American Chemical Society)
Biology/Biotechnology (BB)
Concentrations in:
- Bioprocess
- Cell and Molecular Biology and Genetics
- Computational Biology
- Ecology and Environmental Biology
- Organismal Biology
Biomedical Engineering (BME) (accredited by ABET)
Specializations in:
- Biomaterials
- Biomechanics
- Biomedical Imaging
- Biosensors and Bioinstrumentation
- Tissue Engineering
Chemical Engineering (CHE) (accredited by ABET)
Concentrations in:
- Biochemical
- Biomedical
- Environmental
- Materials
Chemistry (CBC) (certified by the American Chemical Society)
Concentrations in:
- Medicinal Chemistry
Civil Engineering (CEE) (accredited by ABET)
Subareas in:
- Structural and Geotechnical Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Transportation Engineering
- Urban and Environmental Planning
- Construction Engineering and Project Management
Concentration in:
- Environmental
Computer Science (CS) (accredited by ABET)
Computers with Applications (CS)
Economic Science (SSPS)
Concentrations in:
- Sustainable Economic Development
- Computational Economics
Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) (accredited by ABET)
Subdisciplines in:
- Robotics
- Power Systems Engineering
- RF Circuits and Microwaves
- Communications and Signal Analysis
- Biomedical Engineering
- Analog Microelectronics
- Computer Engineering
Engineering Physics (PH)
Environmental Engineering (CEE; CHE; ME) (accredited by ABET)
Environmental and Sustainability Studies (B.A. degree) (ID)
Humanities and Arts (HU)
Concentrations in:
- American Studies
- Environmental Studies
- Humanities Studies of Science and Technology
- History
- Literature
- Music
- Philosophy, Religion
- Drama/Theatre
- Writing and Rhetoric
- Art History
- German Studies
- Hispanic Studies
- Science and Technology
Industrial Engineering (MG) (accredited by ABET)
Interactive Media and Game Development (HU; CS)
- Artistic Track
- Technical Track
Interdisciplinary (by arrangement) (IGSD)
International Studies (IGSD)
Liberal Arts and Engineering (B.A. degree) (HU)
Management (MG) (accredited by AACSB)
Management Engineering (MG) (accredited by AACSB)
Concentrations in:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Entrepreneurship & Innovation
- Mechanical Engineering
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Operations Management
Management Information Systems (MG) (accredited by AACSB)
Mathematical Sciences (MA)
Subareas in:
- Algebraic and Discrete Mathematics
- Computational and Applied Analysis
- Operations Research
- Probability and Statistics
Mechanical Engineering (ME) (accredited by ABET)
Concentrations in:
- Aeronautics
- Astronautics
- Biomechanical
- Engineering Mechanics
- Mechanical Design
- Manufacturing
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Robotics
- Thermal-Fluid Engineering
Physics (PH)
Professional Writing (IGSD)
Psychological Science (SSPS)
Robotics Engineering (CS; ECE; ME)
Society, Technology and Policy (SSPS)
System Dynamics (SSPS)
Programs for students interested in medicine, law or precollege education can be readily developed from many of the above majors.
Interdisciplinary (individually-designed) majors (ID) may also be developed under the B.S. or B.A. degree; see Interdisciplinary Programs.
WPI undergraduate diplomas designate "Bachelor of Science" or "Bachelor of Arts" as appropriate. The transcript will list the student's major. If a Minor or Concentration was completed, this will also be included on the transcript.
The number of majors associated with a single WPI Bachelor of Science degree is limited to two.
