Major Qualifying Project
From WPI PhysicsWiki
Contents |
About the MQP
Unlike most other universities, every physics major at WPI is required to complete a senior research project, known as an MQP. These are typically year-long projects culminating in a written thesis and presentation. Some projects, particularly off-campus ones may take place over shorter periods.
In general, these projects significantly extend the scope and depth of our physics offerings beyond our regular coursework, in a way that is focused on individual student interests. Students can do their MQP in a faculty member's area of interest, which can make for a very lively on-campus experience. The areas of faculty interest are listed below. However, students also often come up with their own topic in consultation with a faculty member or they can pursue a variety of off-campus MQP opportunities, at Brookhaven National Lab, Los Alamos National Lab, MIT's Lincoln Labs, NASA's Langley Research Center, Oak Ridge National Lab, etc., so long as they have an advisor of record from WPI's physics department that approves the project.
In the engineering-physics programs, the MQP subject is generally chosen for its relevance to the particular area of concentration. Students usually obtain the assistance of their academic advisors and of the engineering- physics coordinator in arranging the project. It may also include the participation of a project coadvisor who is a member of the engineering faculty.
Faculty Research Areas
| P. Aravind | Theory of quantum measurement, quantum mechanics, quantum optics, group theory. |
| N. Burnham | Atomic force microscopy, nanomechanics, advanced metrology. |
| R. Garcia | Condensed matter experiment, wetting, Casimir forces, liquid crystals and properties of liquids on solid surfaces. |
| G. Iannacchione | Experimental physics, calorimetry, liquid crystals, properties of complex, soft-condensed matter, and biological materials. |
| T. Keil | Solid state physics, mathematical physics, fluid mechanics. |
| C. Koleci | Physics education research. |
| S. Koehler | Experimental physics, granular matter, complex fluids, self-propulsion. |
| G. Phillies | Statistical mechanics, light scattering spectroscopy, complex fluids, biochemical physics, game design. |
| R. Quimby | Optical properties of solids, laser spectroscopy, photonics. |
| L. Ram-Mohan | Field theory, many body problems, solid state physics, linear and non-linear optical properties of semiconductors, computational physics. |
| I. Stroe | Biological and condensed matter physics experiment, resonant ultrasound spectroscopy, dielectric relaxation spectrosopy applied to biological problems. |
| A. Zozulya | Theory of Bose Einstein condensates, atom interferometers, non-linear optics, photo-refractive materials. |
Depth and Breadth
As an example of the breadth and depth of MQP projects, below are listed the titles of projects completed in recent years.
MQPs from 2008
- Mean Value Lateral Force Calibration
- Quantum Conductance
- Thickness Coexistence in Thin, Liquid Crystal Films
- Temperature Measurement Using Rare Earth Spectra in Glass
- Structural Analysis of a Simulated Supercooled Liquid
- KY Gravity Anomaly Modeling
- Design and Construction of a Thermoacoustic Refrigerator
- Search for Coincidence Events in LIGO and GE0600 Data
- Omnidirectional Horizontally Polarized UHF Antenna Design
- The Physics of Sand Dune Formation and Migration on Mars
- DC Glow-Discharge Plasma Gun
- Proof of Bell's Theorem in 16 Dimensions
- Determining the Contact Angle of a Droplet on a Substrate
MQPs from 2007
- Accelerator Beam Window: Radiatively Cooled Window for an ADS Reactor
- Human Artery Plaque Progression
- Expansion of Operating Frequencies for RF/MC Calorimetry
- Development of an Undergraduate Laboratory Module using Quantum Dots in Solution
- Quartz Microbalance Measurement of Adsorption Potential Well-Depths
- Lateral Force Calibration for Probe Microscopy
- Discriminating Between Splitting and Crossing Targets
- Physics of Molecular Motors
- Protein Dynamics: Probing Biological Processes at the Molecular Level
- More Information
More Information
More information for the selection of a Major Qualifying Project (MQP) by physics and engineering-physics students can be obtained from physics faculty members at any time during the academic year, and especially during the Term C project planning period. A project resource booklet, available in the department office, provides MQP subject information, identification of participating faculty and their areas of interest, and data relating to past projects. Physics faculty serve as project advisors on MQPs in their own fields of research, and sometimes in other appropriate scientific areas of mutual student-advisor interest.
