Major Qualifying Project

Humanities & Arts

The Major Qualifying Project (MQP) is a high-level research project in the student's field. It involves problems typical of those found in the student's professional discipline and addresses challenging research issues.

Through the MQP, every WPI student has the chance to experience the kind of real-world problem solving that will soon characterize their professional careers. With an MQP on their resume, WPI students have a leg up on the competition when it comes to launching careers or gaining admission to the best graduate schools.

Get to know some of our students and learn more about their projects.

Life in the Ledges: An Environmental History

HUA major Charlie Mezak studied the environmental history of Lake in the Ledges, Bedford, NY and the land surrounding the lake for his award-winning MQP. Read more (PDF) on Mezak's MQP.

The Five Stages of Grief: A Composition for Brass Ensemble

HUA major Christopher Hango used his musical talent to create a five-movement composition—that was then performed by the WPI brass ensemble—to represent the five stages of grief. Read more (PDF) on Hango's MQP.

The Way I Breathe: An Actor’s Portfolio

Anika Blodgett, an HUA major with a concentration in Drama/Theatre, shed light on her intense love for acting through her MQP. Read more (PDF) on Blodgett's MQP.

What’s Bugging Me about Literary Translation: The Challenges of Literary Translation

HUA major Elizabeth Thompson used her MQP to highlight the challenges of literary translation, and to explain how translating works into another language isn’t as simple as it seems. Read more (PDF) on Thompson's MQP.