Glossary
A-Term
The first of four seven-week terms in WPI’s undergraduate academic year, running roughly late August to early October. Students usually take three courses per term instead of four or five per semester.
AE
Aerospace engineering. The academic department and major that studies the design and science of aircraft and spacecraft, with hands-on work in labs such as wind tunnels and vacuum chambers.
AE
Aerospace engineering. The academic department and major that studies the design and science of aircraft and spacecraft, with hands-on work in labs such as wind tunnels and vacuum chambers.
B-Term
The second of four seven-week terms in WPI’s undergraduate academic year, running roughly mid-October to mid-December. Students usually take three courses per term instead of four or five per semester.
BB
Biology & Biotechnology. The academic department for biology and biotechnology, where students and faculty research areas from cancer biology to infectious disease. Also abbreviated BBT.
BCB
Bioinformatics & Computational Biology. Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, an interdisciplinary WPI program run jointly by three departments. Students use computing and mathematics to collect, analyze and model biological data, at bachelor's through doctoral level.
BME
Biomedical Engineering. The academic department and major that applies engineering to medicine and health, developing new therapies, devices and products.
BS/MS
An accelerated path that lets WPI undergraduates and recent alumni earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in about five years, counting some courses toward both degrees.
C-Term
The third of four seven-week terms in WPI’s undergraduate academic year, running roughly early January to early March. Students usually take three courses per term instead of four or five per semester.
CBC
Chemistry & Biochemistry. The academic department for chemistry and biochemistry, offering hands-on research and close mentorship in areas such as human health and the environment.
CDC
The Heebner Career Development Center helps undergraduates, graduate students, and alumni explore careers and find jobs, internships, and co-ops through advising, career fairs, workshops, and employer connections. It is in Unity Hall.
CEAE
Civil, Environmental, & Architectural Engineering. The academic department for civil, environmental and architectural engineering: how buildings, infrastructure and water systems are designed, built and kept safe. It was called Civil & Environmental Engineering until 2020.
CEE
Civil and Environmental Engineering. Former name of the Civil, Environmental, & Architectural Engineering (CEAE) department. Faculty renamed it in 2020 to add architectural engineering.
CHE
Chemical Engineering. The academic department and major in chemical engineering, known for small classes and close ties between students and professors. Older materials sometimes use CM.
Connections Pre-Orientation Program
A program before New Student Orientation that helps incoming first-year students build community and prepare for the pace of WPI academics. It began in 1993 and is open to any first-year student.
CPBL
A WPI center, launched in 2016, that helps faculty and leaders at other colleges adopt project-based learning. It runs the yearly Institute on Project-Based Learning, workshops, and consultations.
CS
Computer Science. Computer Science, the WPI department and major, and the prefix on its course numbers (for example CS 1101). The department offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees.
D-Term
The fourth of four seven-week terms in WPI’s undergraduate academic year, running roughly mid-March to early May. Students usually take three courses per term instead of four or five per semester.
DS
Data Science. Data Science, the WPI program offering bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees, and the prefix on its course numbers (for example DS 501). It combines computer science, mathematics and business.
E-Term
WPI’s optional summer term, split into two seven-week sessions called E1 and E2. Undergraduates can take courses online or on campus to catch up, get ahead, or try something new.
Early Action
A non-binding first-year application plan with an early deadline. Admitted students can still compare other colleges before deciding. WPI offers two rounds, Early Action I and II.
Early Decision
A binding first-year application plan: If admitted, you enroll at WPI and withdraw other applications. WPI offers two rounds, Early Decision I and II, with different deadlines.
ECE
Electrical & Computer Engineering. The academic department and major covering electrical and computer engineering, with research in areas such as machine learning, signal processing and information security.
FPE
Fire Protection Engineering. The academic department that studies how to prevent, detect and control fires and protect people and buildings. WPI started the first master's program in the field in the United States.
Global Projects Program
The program that sends student teams to more than 50 WPI project centers in the US and abroad to complete required projects, such as the IQP (Interactive Qualifying Project), with local sponsors.
Gompei
WPI’s goat mascot. It is named for Gompei Kuwada, a Japanese student in the Class of 1893 who served as the first keeper of the school’s goat because his initials, G.K., stood for goat keeper.
GQP
A team capstone project that some WPI master’s programs, such as Data Science and Business Analytics, require in the final semester. Students solve a real problem for a sponsoring company or organization.
HUA
The academic department for the humanities and arts. It also runs the Humanities & Arts Requirement, a set of courses every undergraduate completes, ending in a seminar or practicum.
Humanities & Arts Requirement
A graduation requirement for every WPI undergraduate: five humanities and arts courses followed by an Inquiry Seminar or Practicum, a capstone that explores one theme in depth.
I&E
Innovation & Entrepreneurship at WPI: the courses, mentoring, maker spaces, and technology transfer services that help students and faculty turn ideas and research into products, startups, and businesses.
IGSD
Interdisciplinary and Global Studies Division. Former WPI division that ran the Interactive Qualifying Project and global project centers. Its work moved to The Global School, created in 2019 and launched in 2020.
IMGD
Interactive Media & Game Development. The academic department and degree programs that combine art, programming, storytelling, music and design to create games and interactive media.
IQP
A required team project, usually in the third year, where students from different majors tackle a problem linking science or technology with society, often at one of WPI’s project centers worldwide.
ME
Mechanical Engineering. The mechanical engineering major and discipline, taught in the Mechanical & Materials Engineering department.
MFE
Manufacturing Engineering. A degree program in the Mechanical & Materials Engineering department on turning designs into practical, cost-effective products through manufacturing processes and business practices.
MGE
Management Engineering. A bachelor's degree in The Business School that pairs business and management principles with technical skills in an engineering or science discipline.
MIS
Management Information Systems. A minor and graduate course area in The Business School on how organizations use information systems to make decisions. The bachelor's degree is now called Information Systems and Technologies.
MTE
Materials Science & Engineering. A program in the Mechanical & Materials Engineering department on how materials are made, used and recycled, and on developing new materials and products.
OAS
The Office of Accessibility Services coordinates academic and campus accommodations for students with documented disabilities. It is in Unity Hall.
PBL
A way of teaching where students learn by working in teams on real, open-ended problems. It is the core of WPI’s undergraduate education, the WPI Plan.
Project Center
One of more than 50 WPI sites in the US and around the world where student teams complete required projects with local sponsors. Most host the IQP (Interactive Qualifying Project); some host other projects.
RBE
Robotics Engineering. The academic department and major in robotics, offering bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. WPI's was the first robotics engineering department of its kind in the nation.
Regular Decision
The standard, non-binding first-year application plan with WPI’s latest deadline. Admitted students have until May 1 to decide whether to enroll.
SSPS
Social Science & Policy Studies. The academic department for the social sciences and policy, studying the human side of challenges such as climate change, inequality, artificial intelligence and public health.
The WPI Plan
WPI’s undergraduate curriculum since 1970. It is built around team projects, seven-week terms, and a grading system with no failing grades, and it requires major projects like the IQP and MQP.
Undergraduate Research Projects Showcase
An annual April event where seniors present their Major Qualifying Projects (senior capstones) with posters and demonstrations. Called Project Presentation Day until 2023.