WPI’s Academic Programs

1. WPI’s Academic Programs John Orr Provost Professor of Electrical &Computer Engineering Jan. 11, 2009

2. The WPI Experience • Great faculty who work closely with students • Mastery of the Major area of study • Outcomes-based evaluation • Appreciation for social responsibility • Real world (global) projects • Learning to learn • Depth in the humanities • Maturation - independence

3. New Academic Programs • Interactive Media and Game Development • Robotics Engineering • Environmental Engineering

4. Some WPI Differences • Each semester is divided in half: • Four terms per academic year • Normally 3 courses per term • Most courses meet 4 or 5 days per week • Flexible program planning, few required courses • First-year seminars that address big issues • Two large project experiences • Non-punitive grades: A, B, C, “NR”, rarely: NAC • Credit: 1 course = 1/3U, ~ 3 semester hours

5. WPI Undergraduate Calendar • 4 Seven-week terms per academic year • (A & B: fall; C & D: spring) • E term in summer • Typically 3 courses per term, each “1/3 unit” • 1/3U is approximately equal to 3 semester hours therefore • 1 unit per term • 4 units per year • 16 units in 4 years (15 units required to graduate)

6. WPI Degree Requirements • The Major Project (MQP) • The Interactive Project (IQP) • The Humanities/Arts Experience • Social Sciences • Distribution Requirements in the Major • Science, Math, Engineering, Computer Science • Physical Education • 15 units of credit (most courses are 1/3 unit)

7. Interactive Qualifying Project • Appreciation of the interrelationships of science, technology, and society • Small team project under guidance of one or more faculty members • Project report reflecting theachievement ofunderstanding of the issues • Often performed off campusand overseas

8. Major Qualifying Project • Demonstrate disciplinary skills, methods, and knowledge. Integrative. • Small team project on a“real world” topic • Substantial written projectreport • Usually, an oral presentation • Similar to a “Senior Thesis”

9. New England is nice (sometimes) but… • So are other places likeSilicon Valley, London,Namibia • Go global!

10. Humanities and Arts Requirement • Humanities and Arts is distinct from Social Science • Substantive understanding of at least one aspect of the humanities, and some breadth… (3 activities for depth, 2 for breadth) • Sequence of thematically related courses • Culminating with an Inquiry Seminar, Performance, or Language fluency

11. Academic Advising • First Semester: • New Student Orientation • First Year Advising Program (“Insight”) • Major Selection Program • Remainder of WPI career: • Confirm Major and Faculty Advisor • Academic Advisor normally remains with the student for 4 years • Advisor provides assistance in course selection, review of graduation requirements, career advice, …

12. Satisfactory Academic Progress • Students must complete at least 4/3 units (4 courses) of work in 2 terms(1 semester) • 3 levels of unsatisfactory progress: Warning, Probation, Suspension • Special rules if student receives no credit in one or more terms

13. Satisfactory Academic Progress • Academic WARNING • Official warning at end of B or D term (copy to parents) • Academic PROBATION • Failure to achieve S.A.P.leads to loss of eligibility for financial aid, co-op, team sports, and project centers • Academic SUSPENSION • Can occur at end of B term of 1st year if no credit achieved • Can return to WPI only by successful petitioning

14. A Little Advice • Stay in touch with your son or daughter – but allow them to grow in independence • Be sure to get their email, IM and/or text messaging addresses as well as their cellphone number

15. This is an Exciting Time

16. And Perhaps Somewhat Stressful • For the student… • And the parents

17. In a Summer or two… • Perhaps an Internship

18. Student Support Mechanisms • Faculty (course teachers, academic advisors) • Other course staff: teaching assistants • Resident Advisors (RAs) • Academic Advising Office, Dale Snyder, Connie Peppes • Tutoring services – “MASH” • Services for Learning Disabilities • Counseling Center • Dean of Students, Philip Clay, and his staff • Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Prof. Art Heinricher

19. Frequently Asked Questions • What “early warning” signals exist for students in academic difficulty? • Are parents notified of academic difficulties? • Are grades sent to parents? • What does the “NR” grade mean? • What academic support services are available? • How can I solve a financial aid problem?

20. ? ? ? ? More Questions ? • Ask your son or daughter – try email or text messaging! • Contact Academic Advising (508) 831-5381: • Dale Snyder, Director, dsnyder@wpi.edu • Connie Peppes, Assoc. Director, cpeppes@wpi.edu • Contact Art Heinricher, (508) 831-5397, heinrich@wpi.edu or John Orr, (508) 831-5222, orr@wpi.edu

21. Best Wishes • For a great year!

22. Project-type Work in the First Year • Great Problems Seminars • Feed the World • Power the World • Heal the World • Make the World • Project-based Learning Community • Calculus + Physics + Humanities

23. Retention • Approximately 60% of entering students graduate from WPI in 4 years • Approximately 70% of entering students graduate from WPI in 4 ½ years • Approximately 80% ofentering studentsgraduate from WPI in6 or more years

24. Insight Program • Orientation team of faculty advisor, upper-class students and first year students stay together through fall terms (A and B terms) • Advising and social activities in residence halls • Confirm major and advisor related to major at end of B term