Physics and Quantum Computing, BS

Return to: Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Given the robust academic efforts to build quantum machines, as well as the growing industrial efforts in quantum information (Google, IBM, Microsoft, Amazon, Northrup Grumman, Intel, Honeywell, plus numerous smaller companies and startups) there is a real need for students who are trained to live with one foot on either side of the present divide. Put another way, we can build systems with one to a few elements, and we know important problems we could solve with a quantum computer containing thousands or millions of qubits, but how do we get from one to the other? It is clear that students who can address this issue will find good opportunities to apply their skills in both academia and industry.

The Physics and Quantum Computing, BS major will train the students who will bridge this gap as they flesh out a nascent quantum computing industry. For the student who wishes to pursue graduate school (which is currently the level at which most industrial labs are hiring) where hybrid programs do not currently exist, the major is designed with an optional CS or physics ‘Focus’ add-on of three top-level classes to fill in classes required for entry into the respective graduate programs.

At a more practical level, for those students who seek gainful employment with only their undergraduate degrees, the mixing of physics’ focus on investigation and problem solving with true fluency in computer science will provide a very strong toolbox for their future endeavors. Compared to a traditional physics major, our graduates would have computer skills to make them a less training-intensive hire; compared to a traditional CS major our graduates would have facility with physics concepts and problem solving techniques, both classical and quantum.

As currently designed the major requires 73 credits. The optional CS or Physics ‘Focus’ would boost the credit total to 82.