Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) provides UMD students of all backgrounds, disciplines, and levels of experience with the opportunity to engage in scaffolded, multidisciplinary team-based projects.
The VIP program enables students to join vibrant, productive, multidisciplinary undergraduate teams that drive long-term projects and collaborative research ecosystems.
VIP Teams engage in work related to a broad range of academic and professional disciplines. All of them have the following features in common:
Scaffolded Engagement & Support
VIP Teams comprise second-year students through graduating seniors. New VIP Team members learn from and replace those who graduate through peer-to-peer learning and mentorship.
Multidisciplinary Engagement
The VIP program is open to students from all majors and experience levels. VIP participation drives the completion of large, multidisciplinary projects that enhance and expand faculty scholarship while providing students with the opportunity to work with peers from various fields.
Multi-Semester Participation
The VIP program extends project-based learning beyond a single semester, with students participating for multiple semesters. This provides time and context for students to gain deeper insights, learn and practice professional skills, make contributions to projects, and experience a broad range of team-based roles.
Degree Advancement
Participating VIP students enroll in VIPS courses each semester and earn academic credit.
Authentic Engagement & Skill Building
VIP Teams use authentic, contemporary practices, address real-world uncertainties, and deliver multifaceted outcomes.
What Do VIP Students Say?
"This semester, I loved my experience in a VIP program. It was great learning from my peers and getting to teach as well. It was particularly rewarding the days that I could see us all functioning as a unit. . . I think anyone interested in a VIP program should do it because I have learned so much about our project, the people in our group, and different majors."