ABOUT MDP

What does MDP do?

The Multidisciplinary Design Program provides hands-on opportunities for students to earn academic credit doing real-world project work. 

Students can participate in faculty research, 1-year industry sponsored projects, and engineering student organization teams.

With MDP, you can: 

  • apply what you learn in class to engineering design projects
  • gain the technical and professional skills necessary to thrive in engineering research or professional settings
  • experience how people from multiple disciplines collaborate within a team. 

The MDP program is open to all undergraduate and master’s students from across the university. You don’t have to be in the College of Engineering to participate!

We also offer an academic minor in multidisciplinary design, open to students who are earning credit for project team participation through MDP.

MDP is great for students…

  • who want to increase their practical experience.
  • who excel in labs or applied engineering projects.
  • who are comfortable with open-ended problems.
  • who want to build their resumes.
  • with any GPA.

Students can:

  • apply what you learn in class to engineering design projects.
  • gain the technical and professional skills necessary to thrive in professional settings.
  • collaborate on a project with people from multiple disciplines.
  • earn an academic minor in multidisciplinary design.

Faculty can:

Industry professionals can:

  • partner with MDP by sponsoring a 2-semester design project.
  • Help develop future engineering professionals.

Who does MDP serve?

Four text boxes with the MDP logo in the center of the graphic. The first box is labeled, "Undergraduate and Masters Students, second is "Faculty and Researcheres," then "External Partners," then "Greater University Community."

MDP Quick Facts

Pie chart with 70% representing "Engineering," and remaining 30% divided among 13 other university departments.
Grid of 25 navy circles with one yellow circle in the second row. Caption says between 5 and 50 students plus 1 faculty.
Five cartoon arms of varying lengths. From left to right, "First Year," "Sophomore," "Junior," "Senior," "Masters."
Zig-zag yellow arrow following five steps: Accepted in 9 schools and colleges, Participate in a multi-term design team, Learn the design process, Broaden your skills, and Mentor a team.
Yellow infinity arrow with "Winter Semester" in the left hole and "Fall Semester" in the right hole.
Four puzzle pieces joined in a diamond shape. The pieces are labeled "Faculty Research," "Student Organization," "Partner Sponsored," and "Student Initiated."