Major Qualifying Project

The Major Qualifying Project (MQP) is based on a fundamental philosophy – once you graduate, what will you be able to DO?
At WPI, the MQP, a team-based, professional-level design or research experience, makes the answer a very positive one. The culmination of WPI's project-based undergraduate education, a successful MQP demonstrates such learning outcomes as how to communicate effectively; understand the scientific, social, and ethical dimensions of the problem; and demonstrate knowledge appropriate to your specific major. And every year the results show students finding meaningful work.
There are many possible solutions to a problem and many paths to take to get there. The MQP helps you put the theory of what you’ve learned into practice to tackle real-life scenarios and issues, often sponsored by corporations or other external organizations. You will see that the skills acquired over your undergraduate years will be your foundation on which to build your life's work. Employers are looking for mastery. The MQP, an integral part of the WPI plan, positions students to stand out in the applicant pool.

Undergraduate Research Projects Showcase
A celebration of research, design, and creative theses—a requirement of every graduating senior through the Major Qualifying Project—takes place each spring on campus. Student teams representing all academic departments present their work to their faculty advisors, external sponsors, and the community-at-large, and the public is invited.

Global Projects Program. Go into the World.
Everyone wants to make their last year of college one for the ages, and what better way to do that than by going into the real world? Starting with the Class of 2022, every student will receive a $5,000 scholarship. From designing a robotic arm to sort and move scrap metal for recycling in China to analyzing the effect of wind turbines on radar in Massachusetts, the world is at your fingertips.

MQPs In the News
The Boston Globe reports on Lola, the amputee sea turtle who received a first-of-its-kind prosthetic flipper designed by three WPI engineering students as part of their MQP. The new flipper they created will allow Lola and other injured turtles to be rehabilitated and live a more normal life--and is another step toward next-generation animal prosthetics.
- Adrienne
- Assessing Water Quality at Landings and Onboard Canal Tugboats
- Carly
- Designing New Spillway to Release Excess Water from Lake Guton
- Brigitte
- Alternatives to Steel Towers Used for Navigational Cues
- Abigail
- Study on Occupation and Use of Land Around Canal
- Have mastered fundamental concepts and methods in their principal areas of study.
- Demonstrate global and intercultural competency by developing the capacity to identify, explain, and critically analyze the forces (such as cultural, historical, political, economic) that shape the self and others as they engage with local and global communities.
- Have the skills, diligence, and commitment to excellence needed to engage in lifelong learning.
- Carly
- Designing new spillway to release excess water from Lake Guton
- Adrienne
- Assessing water quality at landings and onboard canal tugboats
- Carly
- Designing new spillway to release excess water from Lake Guton
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
The Innovation and Entrepreneurship (I&E) Center focuses on helping students’ innovative ideas turn into reality through funding and mentoring of Major Qualifying Projects. The Center also serves as a project collaboration space to support student MQP work.
A Culmination of 4 Years of Theory AND Practice
A Stepping-stone to a Rewarding Career
Stories from WPI's University Magazine

Master of Light
John Delaney ’84 uses spectral imaging to reveal art’s best-kept secrets.

Sensing the Living Breath
Electrical engineer Ulkuhan Guler has an ambitious goal: creating a small, smart, skin patch that collects critical measures of respiration.