Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) Information Technology Division
George C. Gordon Library

Common Help Pages: Contents · Basic Searches · Advanced Search · Course Reserve Search · Catalog Icons · Search History

Finding WPI Theses and Dissertations by Department

To find theses and dissertations by academic department, select Advanced Search in the Library Catalog.
(Note: This link opens a library catalog session in a new browser window. This help window will remain open.)

  1. Let's say you want to identify just the theses and dissertations from the Mechanical Engineering Department.
  2. Type thesis dissertation in the first Search For: box.
    1. Tab over to the dropdown box to the right, and select "any of these."
    2. Tab to the Search In: dropdown box, and leave it set to "Keyword Anywhere."
    3. Select "AND."
  3. Type worcester polytechnic institute in the next Search For: box.
    1. Tab over to the dropdown box to the right, and select "as a phrase."
    2. Tab to the Search In: dropdown box, and select "Keyword Anywhere."
    3. Select "AND."
  4. Type mechanical engineering in the last Search For: box
    1. Tab over to the dropdown box to the right, and select "as a phrase."
    2. Tab to the Search In: dropdown box, and select "Keyword Anywhere."
  5. Click on the Search button below the boxes.

Search for a WPI thesis

Substitute other academic department names in step 4. Remember that some departments have added words to their names, such as Civil and Environmental Engineering, which used to be called simply Civil Engineering. Here, to retrieve theses done before and after the name change, use civil engineering and check "all of these" in the dropdown menu in step 4 above. If, however, you want only theses done after the name change, use civil environmental engineering and check "all of these."

To look for theses done during a particular year or years, apply Search Limits before entering your search terms above.

  1. Click on Set Limits on the Advanced Search page. This brings you to the Search Limits page.
  2. For example, to limit your search to theses done between 2000 and 2006, go to the Date: section of the Limits page, and type 2000 in the first box. Click on the radio button next to Range and type 2006 in the second box.
  3. Click on Set Limits at the bottom of the limits page.
  4. You will be returned to Advanced Search with the message Search Limits are in effect! in the top left. Proceed with searching by academic department. The result of your search with these limits should be all theses and dissertations done in an academic department completed between 2000 and 2006.

Find WPI electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs).

Maintained by lib-webmaster@wpi.edu
Last modified: Nov 08, 2006, 14:50 EST
[WPI] [Library] [Back]


George C. Gordon Library - Worcester Polytechnic Institute
100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609-2280
Phone: +1-508-831-5410 - Fax: +1-508-831-5829 - Ask Library Questions