The University of Waterloo, in collaboration with the Institute for Quantum Computing, offers graduate students unique opportunities to learn about and engage in world-leading research in quantum information through a wide range of advanced research projects and advanced courses on the foundations, applications and implementation of quantum information processing.

In particular, we offer a new interdisciplinary graduate program in Quantum Information that leads to MMath, MSc, MASc, and PhD degrees. The program is offered in collaboration with:

The Faculty of Mathematics' Department of Applied Mathematics, Department of Combinatorics and Optimization, and David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science
The Faculty of Science's Department of Chemistry, and Department of Physics and Astronomy
The Faculty of Engineering's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Students are required to complete the requirements of both their home unit and the specific requirements of the quantum information (QI) program to achieve the special QI designation. (E.g., MMath in Computer Science (Quantum Information), PhD in Chemistry (Quantum Information), MASc in Electrical and Computer Engineering (Quantum Information)).

MMath, MSc, and MASc students will receive a strong and broad foundation in quantum information science, coupled with knowledge and expertise from their home program. This will prepare them for the workforce or further graduate studies and research leading towards a PhD.

PhD students will be prepared for careers as scholars and researchers, with advanced expertise in quantum information science, along with the focus of their home program. The new program is designed to provide knowledge of quantum information, including theory and implementations, their home program discipline, and also developed advanced expertise in their particular research area within quantum information.

At present IQC has a critical mass of expertise in several major research areas within quantum information, including (but not limited to):

Quantum Algorithms and Complexity
Quantum Information and Communication
Quantum Cryptography
Quantum Error Correction and Fault-tolerance
Spin-based implementations
Quantum Optics-based implementations
Nanoelectronics-based implementations.

New State-of the Art Building

In line with the expansion goals of the Institute for Quantum Computing, a new, state-of-the-art building for the Institute is on the way, as part of the Mike and Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Centre (QNC). The building will contain a new fabrication and metrology facility, and a suite of laboratories for research in areas including quantum optics, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electron spin resonance (ESR), quantum dots, superconducting qubits, coherent spintronics and quantum cryptography. The building will host IQC researchers from all three faculties (starting in 2011), and will have formal and informal meeting spaces designed to facilitate interaction and interdisciplinary research.

More information about the QNC is available here.

For more information contact grad@iqc.ca