Ph.D. Degree | Quantum Science and Engineering
Become a leader in the Quantum Workforce
Designed for students who want to develop the capacity to perform – and lead – independent research in the field, the Ph.D. program typically takes five to six years. The coursework is followed by several years of research under the supervision of a faculty advisor culminating in a Ph.D. dissertation. Students enrolled in the Ph.D. program typically receive a tuition waiver and a stipend that covers their living expenses for the duration of their course of study. Part-time participation in the Ph.D. program is rare, though not impossible, because the research typically requires full-time effort.
Getting the Degree
The QSE Ph.D. degree requires a minimum of 41 credits. The course sequence for each of the tracks is shown in the table below.
- Quantum Nanotechnology (required courses in black and green)
- Quantum Theory (required courses in black and orange)
- Quantum Algorithms and Computation (required courses in blue and black)
The information presented in this table is also contained below in text-only format.
Ph.D. Course Credit Requirements Table
Semester 1 (Fall) |
Semester 2 (Spring) |
Summer |
Semester 3 (Fall) |
|---|---|---|---|
Intro. to Quantum Computation and Quantum Information (PHYS650, 3 credits) |
Intro. to Quantum Hardware (3 credits) OR Intro. to Quantum Hardware (3 credits) OR Quantum Algorithms (3 credits) |
Internship (QSEG864, 1-6 credits) |
Limited Elective (3 credits, see list) |
Applied Quantum Mechanics (MSEG640, 3 credits) OR Applied Quantum Mechanics (MSEG640, 3 credits) OR Limited Elective 1 (3 credits, see below list) |
Experimental Techniques for Quantum Systems (3 credits) OR Advanced Topics in Quantum Information (3 credits) OR Advanced Topics in Quantum Information (3 credits) |
OR Begin research with faculty advisor |
Elective (3 credits) |
Engineering the Quantum Revolution (3 credits) |
Semiconductor Device Design and Fabrication (ELEG650, 3 credits) OR Elective (3 credits) OR Elective (3 credits) |
Research (QSEG868, 6 credits) |
|
Professional Communication in Quantum Sci / Eng (1 credit) |
Professional Communication in Quantum Sci / Eng (1 credit) |
Course Requirements
All students will take three common required courses in their first semester:
Introduction to Quantum Computation and Quantum Information (3 credits)
Engineering the Quantum Revolution (3 credits)
Professional Communication in Quantum Science and Engineering (1 credit)
Students in the Quantum Nanotechnology or Quantum Theory tracks will typically take Applied Quantum Mechanics (3 credits) in the fall semester. Students in either of these tracks who have already taken coursework on quantum mechanics may take an elective in lieu of Applied Quantum Mechanics in the fall and take Quantum Mechanics 1 (PHYS811) in the spring instead. Students wishing to exercise this option should contact the graduate program director. Students following the Quantum Algorithms and Computation track will take, in the fall semester, one 3-credit course from the following options: Algorithm Design and Analysis (CISC621), Introduction to Machine Learning (CISC684), Elements of the Theory of Computation (CISC601), Advanced Topics in Algorithms and Complexity Theory (CISC830), Computational Methods for Equation Solving and Function Minimization (MATH612).
In the second semester of their first year, students following the Quantum Nanotechnology track will take:
- Experimental Techniques for Quantum Systems (3 credits)
- Semiconductor Device Design and Fabrication (3 credits)
- Intro. to Quantum Hardware (QSEG810, 3 credits)
- Professional Communication in Quantum Science and Engineering (1 credit)
In the second semester of their first year, students following the Quantum Theory track will take
- Advanced Topics in Quantum Information (3 credits)
- Intro. to Quantum Hardware (QSEG810, 3 credits)
- Professional Communication in Quantum Science and Engineering (1 credit)
In the second semester of their first year, students following the Quantum Algorithms and Computation track will take
Advanced Topics in Quantum Information (3 credits)
An elective of their choice (3 credits)
Quantum Algorithms (QSEG820, 3 credits)
In their third semester, all students will take two elective courses (3 credits each) and research.
In summary, Ph.D. Quantum Nanotechnology track students take 20 credits of core requirements, 6 credits of elective courses, 6 research credits and 9 dissertation credits. Ph.D. Quantum Theory track students will take 17 credits of core requirements, 9 credits of elective courses, 6 research credits and 9 dissertation credits. Ph.D. Quantum Algorithms and Computation track students take 17 credits of core requirements, 9 credits of elective courses, 6 research credits and 9 dissertation credits. Students are welcome and encouraged to do an internship during the summer after their first year. Students participating in internships may register for and receive internship course credit (QSE864), but such credits do not count toward the total number of credits required for the degree.
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