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Interdisciplinary and Global Studies Division

Real-World Know-How

Project Centers

Inside an IQP

Extending Learning Beyond the Classroom

Professor Rick Vaz explains the history and philosophy behind WPI’s project-based curriculum and how it imparts a real-world, problem-solving perspective. The “centerpieces” are the Interactive Qualifying Project and Major Qualifying Project.

Solving Problems Around the Corner and Around the World

At our more than 30 international Project Centers, WPI students pursue hands-on, life-changing project opportunities throughout the world—close to campus, across the U.S., or as far away as Africa, Asia, Australasia, and Europe.

Having a Practical Impact

What goes on in an Interactive Qualifying Project? Hear the experiences of students who worked on projects that took them to Australia to adapt science-education programs for visually impaired students, and to perform forensics on a mock crime scene.

"Untitled" Film & Photo Collage Festival

"Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living." - Miriam Beard

On April 23, 2013 from 4 to 7:00 p.m. the Global Ambassador Taskforce and IGSD invite all members of WPI's community to the Odeum in the Campus Center for the "Untitled" Film & Photo Collage Festival.

See students' and faculty members visual expression of the ways their off-campus experience changed them.

Making a Real Difference Means Experiencing the Real World

Those who step up to take on the world’s greatest challenges must be armed with practical experience and know-how. That’s why WPI pioneered a project-based approach whereby students apply theory to practice in every aspect of their education. Two central examples of this are the Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP) and Global Perspective Program (GPP), both administered by WPI’s Interdisciplinary and Global Studies Division (IGSD). The IGSD is an academic unit focused on sustainability studies and interdisciplinary educational research that exemplify WPI’s commitment to theory and practice.

The IQP gives every WPI student the experience of working in teams to resolve a problem or need that lies at the meeting point of science and society. Through the GPP, WPI students may complete an IQP, Major Qualifying Project (MQP), or Humanities & Arts Project at a WPI Project Center around the globe. IGSD combines these unique educational programs with a research emphasis on local and regional sustainable development, and a focus on the strategies and needs of state and local governmental and non-governmental agencies.

Interdisciplinary and Global Studies Division

Extending Learning Beyond the Classroom

Solving Problems Around the Corner and Around the World

Having a Practical Impact

"Untitled" Film & Photo Collage Festival

Making a Real Difference Means Experiencing the Real World

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Interdisciplinary and Global Studies Division

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