The WPI Plan depends on project work and WPI students complete much of their course work and degree requirements as a part of project teams. Students work together in project teams to complete tasks that require in-depth effort. WPI has a number of web pages describing the project approach to learning and how an MQP operates. For a broader view of the MQP, see the WPI Project Program. In the Biology and Biotechnology department MQP research often differs little from the kind of research a student may complete as a part of a Masters degree.
Most students complete their MQP during their senior year while taking regular classes.
In some cases particularly motivated students may begin their MQP work prior to their senior year in which case the project often is more sophisticated and more in-depth. Students doing field research as a part of their MQP often will have to complete data collection in the summer prior to the beginning of the academic school year. Students should select their MQP advisor and project in the spring of their junior year to ensure the greatest number of opportunities. Some projects in which students may have an interest could get filled by students who get to the project advisor earlier than them. Not all project advisors can accept all of the students who request them for MQP advisor.