Founded in 1865 in Worcester, Mass., WPI is one of the nation's first engineering and technology universities. Its 17 academic departments offer more than 70 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science, engineering, technology, business, the social sciences, and the humanities and arts, leading to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. WPI's talented faculty work with students on interdisciplinary research that seeks solutions to important and socially relevant problems in fields as diverse as the life sciences and bioengineering, energy, information security, materials processing, and robotics. Students also have the opportunity to make a difference to communities and organizations around the world through the university's innovative Global Perspective Program. There are more than 45 WPI project centers throughout North America and Central America, Africa, Australia, Asia, and Europe.