Worcester Polytechnic Institute · 3 credits · UGRD
Catalog
Cat. IThe Great Problems Seminars (GPS) are a two course sequence designed to engage WorcesterPolytechnic Institute's first-year students with current events, societal problems,and human needs. Each seminar starts with an important problem andintroduces some of the key disciplinary tools that could be used to attack theproblem. The focus for most of the second course will be a researchproject related to the GPS theme. Students will present their project work in aposter session at the end of the second term. Each seminar is developed and presentedby an interdisciplinary pair of faculty. To participate, students must enroll inthe two course sequence. Academic credit for the GPS will depend on the themeand the faculty who develop the seminar.
Recent sections
Fall 2026 · 9 sections
Section
Days & time
Location
Instructor
B01Class #FY-1101-B01
Days & timeT-F10:00 AM - 11:50 AM2026-10-19 - 2026-12-11
LocationUnity Hall 405
InstructorMarja Bakermans; Geoffrey Pfeifer
B02Class #FY-1101-B02
Days & time
M-R2:00 PM - 3:50 PM
2026-10-19 - 2026-12-11
LocationUnity Hall 405
InstructorSvetlana Nikitina; Jianyu Liang
B04Class #FY-1101-B04
Days & timeT-F8:00 AM - 9:50 AM2026-10-19 - 2026-12-11
LocationUnity Hall 405
InstructorMarja Bakermans; William San Martín
B05Class #FY-1101-B05
Days & timeT-F12:00 PM - 1:50 PM2026-10-19 - 2026-12-11
LocationSalisbury Labs 406
InstructorGillian Smith; Laura Roberts
B06Class #FY-1101-B06
Days & timeM-R12:00 PM - 1:50 PM2026-10-19 - 2026-12-11
LocationUnity Hall 405
InstructorDerren Rosbach; Stephen McCauley
B07Class #FY-1101-B07
Days & timeM-R2:00 PM - 3:50 PM2026-10-19 - 2026-12-11
LocationInnovation Studio 203 Active Learning Classroom South
InstructorKaren Oates; Tsitsi Masvawure
BL03Class #FY-1101-BL03
Days & timeM10:00 AM - 11:50 AM2026-10-19 - 2026-12-11