Program Overview

B.S. in Physics and Quantum Computing

The B.S. in Physics and Quantum Computing is a program designed to bridge the gap between building quantum machines and systems with one to a few elements. Given the robust academic and industrial efforts to build quantum machines and information, there is a real need for students who are trained to adapt in both fields.

What can you do with a degree in physics and quantum computing?

Students have a broad range of professional opportunities. Many students go on to pursue graduate degrees in applied physics, computer science, mathematics, material sciences and engineering, and to work in fields like academia, industry, and research.

Required Courses

Core Courses

Mathematics Courses

• MATH 0220 - ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS 1
• MATH 0230 - ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS 2
• MATH 0240 - ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS 3
• MATH 0280 - INTRO TO MATRICES & LINEAR ALG
• MATH 0290 - DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS ĀĀStudents can take MATH 1180 OR MATH 1185 instead of MATH 0280. ĀĀStudents can take MATH 1270 instead of MATH 0290.

Introductory Physics Courses

Students can take:

• PHYS 0174 - BASIC PHYSICS, SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 1 (INTEGRATED)
• PHYS 0175 - BASIC PHYSICS, SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2 (INTEGRATED) OR
• PHYS 0475 - INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS, SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 1
• PHYS 0476 - INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS, SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2
• PHYS 0330 - PHYSICS AND QUANTUM COMPUTING SEMINAR

Introductory and Intermediate Computer Science Courses

• CMPINF 0401 - INTERMEDIATE PROGRAMMING
• CS 0441 - DISCRETE STRUCTURES FOR CS
• CS 0445 - ALGORITHMS AND DATA STRUCTURES 1
• CS 0447 - COMPUTER ORGANIZATION AND ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE

Intermediate and Advanced Physics Courses

• PHYS 0477 - INTRODUCTION TO THERMAL PHYSICS, RELATIVITY AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
• PHYS 1331 - MECHANICS
• PHYS 1341 - THERMODYNAMICS AND STATISTICAL MECHANICS
• PHYS 1351 - INTERMEDIATE ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM
• PHYS 1370 - INTRODUCTION TO QUANTUM MECHANICS 1

Advanced Computer Science Courses

• CS 1501 - ALGORITHMS AND DATA STRUCTURES 2
• CS 1502 - FORMAL METHODS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE
• CS 1613 - QUANTUM COMPUTATION

Physics Laboratory Courses

Students must choose five credits from the following:

• PHYS 0219 - BASIC LABORATORY PHYSICS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
• PHYS 0525 - ANALOG AND DIGITAL ELECTRONICS
• PHYS 1361 - WAVE MOTION AND OPTICS
• PHYS 1426 - MODERN PHYSICS LABORATORY
• PHYS 1415 - QUANTUM PHYSICS AT THE NANOSCALE ĀĀ*Students can take PHYS 0520 instead of PHYS 0219.

Capstone Research or Project or Internship

All majors must complete a capstone experience prior to graduation. It is the intention that this mirror the format of the computer science capstone project (physics lacks an equivalent, though directed research is common among physics undergraduates). The requirement can be satisfied by one semester of directed research with a physics or computer science faculty member, or a CS Capstone Project (CS 1980, CS 1981). Alternately, students may instead undertake an internship (for CS this requires registration in CS 1900).

Optional Focus in Computer Science or Physics

This group of courses is designed to prepare interested students for graduate studies in computer science or physics, and can also allow for the addition of specialized special topic or elective courses to the major given adequate enrollment and departmental resources. Currently the courses for the focus options are:

• PHYS 1371 - INTRODUCTION TO QUANTUM MECHANICS 2
• PHYS 1372 - ELECTROMAGNETIC THEORY
• PHYS 1373 - MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN PHYSICS OR
• Three computer science courses (9 cr. total) at 1500 level or above