Quantum Engineering
Driving the Future of Quantum
Home to one of the nation’s first quantum engineering graduate programs, Mines is committed to driving quantum technology forward through academic programming, research, and facilities that accelerate the growth of the quantum tech economy and develop the quantum workforce for Colorado, the United States and the world.
Colorado School of Mines is a public R1 research university focused on applied science and engineering, producing the talent, knowledge and innovations to serve industry and benefit society—all to create a more prosperous future.
Quantum is Unlocking New Possibilities
Quantum engineering offers the potential to revolutionize industries by creating quantum computers, solving complex problems exponentially faster than current technology. Quantum engineering is poised to drive innovation across sectors, from healthcare to climate tech, energy to defense, ultimately shaping the future of technology and society by pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in computing, communication, and measurement.
Preparing the Quantum Workforce
Quantum will change how we compute and communicate, and with hands-on, interdisciplinary undergraduate and graduate program offerings, Colorado School of Mines is preparing students to shape our quantum-powered future. We offer one of the nation’s first quantum engineering graduate programs helping address critical workforce shortages.
- Undergraduate Minor in Quantum Engineering
- Graduate Certificate in Quantum Engineering Software
- Graduate Certificate in Quantum Engineering Hardware
- Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s (4+1)
- Master’s Non-Thesis in Quantum Engineering Software
- Master’s Non-Thesis in Quantum Engineering Hardware
- Master’s Thesis in Quantum Engineering Software
- Master’s Thesis in Quantum Engineering Hardware
“Quantum technology has reached a stage where it cannot succeed without engineering input and engineering leadership. We need well-trained engineers who are quantum aware, not just PhD physicists.”
— Lincoln Carr, Professor of Physics and Quantum researcher
“You don’t need a PhD to make an impact in quantum engineering – you need quantum literacy, and this program is designed to bring students and working professionals up to speed on key concepts needed by industry today.”
— Eliot Kapit, Associate Professor of Physics
Unmistakably Mines
With only one qualified quantum worker available for every three quantum job openings (Mckinsey), Mines is preparing the workforce of the future by offering in-demand programs, industry connections and research opportunities related to quantum.
- One of the first quantum engineering master’s degree programs offered in the country
- First Society of Quantum Engineers chapter in the country, offering student-driven programming and industry connections
- With 20 quantum engineering faculty across five departments, Mines has one of the largest, most interdisciplinary groups of faculty dedicated to quantum engineering
- Only institution in the country to own and operate an experimental mine to be used for quantum research and application
- Early outreach efforts targeting students from kindergarten through high school (K-12) are essential in cultivating curiosity, foundational skills, and career pathways in quantum science and engineering. Quantum Engineering faculty and students at the Colorado School of Mines are committed to that end. Read more at Quantum Engineering K-12.
Student Spotlight: Meet Margaux Basart
Margaux Basart’s quantum journey began with a spark—a conversation with a student pursuing a PhD in quantum computing piqued her interest. After taking Fundamentals of Quantum Information at Mines, she was hooked.
“When I applied and enrolled, I didn’t have any idea that I wanted to go into quantum and then once I figured out that I did, I just happened to be in one of the best places to break into quantum.”
Studying engineering physics and a member of the varsity cross country and track teams, Margaux is a member of the Society of Women in Physics and a board member of the Society of Quantum Engineers, the nation’s first chapter, founded at Mines. Through the Open Quantum Initiative fellowship, she conducted research, toured IBM and met with quantum startups, deepening her passion.
She is currently working on a senior design project with Lincoln Carr, professor of physics and quantum researcher, focusing on non-von Neumann computing for energy efficiency. Margaux appreciates the interdisciplinary nature of quantum research at Mines, where problem-solving skills prepare her for the rapidly evolving quantum field.
“It’s learning how to think critically about problems, generate new ideas, and address new questions creatively. That’s a really big emphasis in the physics program here. You get to the point where you know how to tackle a problem or where to start learning more about it.”
“Quantum technologies are poised to revolutionize how we compute, communicate, and sense and this requires engineers that have an interdisciplinary education.”
—Peter Aaen, Department Head and Professor of Electrical Engineering
Mines is Making Leaps in Quantum
Colorado School of Mines is developing a quantum research lab inside a literal mine
CURIE – short for Colorado Underground Research Institute – will allow researchers to test quantum sensors and more in very low background environment
Listen to Meenakshi Singh, associate professor of physics, discuss why we’re seeing a quantum surge, what this evolving technology will enable us to do, and how Mines is preparing the next generation to lead the world through the next quantum revolution.
A strategic roadmap to develop a quantum engineering education framework tailored to meet U.S. and global workforce demands. Read the full publication.
Quantum News Feed
- Colorado School of Mines is developing a quantum research lab inside a literal mine
- Building the future of quantum engineering at Colorado School of Mines
- New Nature article outlines how research led at Mines achieved breakthrough in our understanding of neutrinos
- Device that replicates ‘coldest place in universe’ at home on Colorado School of Mines campus
- Colorado School of Mines helps bring innovative quantum incubator to Colorado
- Elevate Quantum groundbreaking ceremony kicks off the quantum future for Colorado and Rocky Mountain West
- Elevate Quantum awarded $40.5M to expand quantum ecosystem in Colorado, Mountain West
- Elevate Quantum puts Colorado – and Mines – at forefront of future innovation
- Mines researchers contribute to creation of world’s first quantum magnet in one dimension
- Mines grad students named National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellows
- Meenakshi Singh wins Fulbright Distinguished Scholar Award for quantum research in India
- Mines, CSU researchers combine classical, quantum optics for super-resolution imaging
- Serena Eley named 2022 Cottrell Scholar
- Mines Quantum Engineering Program wins $3M NSF grant for graduate student training
Offering World-Class Facilities
Quantum COmmons @ Arvada will provide open-access user facilities critical to accelerating the speed of progress in the quantum industry. These facilities will offer capabilities in solid state and AMO modalities, alongside FAB services to accelerate the speed of iteration across the entire quantum industry. This will enable breakthroughs ranging from artificial intelligence, climate tech, and healthcare to sensing and well beyond. When Quantum COmmons @ Arvada comes online in 2026, it will have:
- 10,000 sq. ft. fabrication lab/cleanroom building to support prototyping and low-volume manufacturing
- 17,000 sq. ft open-access quantum labs with a collaborative community design
- 70 acres available for open access facility expansion and co-location and growth of quantum startups and scale-ups
With its rich history in education and research, the Edgar Experimental Mine (see also CURIE) is owned and operated by Mines and serves as the perfect playground for advancing quantum technologies. The shallow underground research facility with surface-level access offers a controlled environment that can lead to breakthroughs in computational efficiency and secure communication – both critical for advancing quantum. The mine is a flexible space with the potential to grow on demand, and ready to do the unique quantum work the nation needs. {include mine photo}
The Mines campus is home to low-temperature characterization labs — the first in the country to offer such facilities that allow for hands-on training. Dilution refrigerators are essential for studying low-temperature physics and are increasingly important in quantum computing because they eliminate thermal noise.
Forging Industry Connections
Quantum engineers take the scientific discoveries of researchers and theorists and put them into practice, developing and testing novel applications in quantum technology. Their work is helping companies and government agencies push the boundaries of quantum computers, quantum sensors and other quantum devices.
- Colorado is a regional quantum hub, but what does that mean? (Colorado Public Radio)
- Colorado awarded $40.5 million federal quantum technology grant to become worldwide hub (The Colorado Sun)
- The neutrino’s quantum fuzziness is beginning to come into focus (Science News)
- Colorado mounts its claim as U.S. quantum supersystem (The Quantum Insider)
“The amount of internships, networking sessions and connections Mines offers, gives students the ability to immediately translate their academic skills into industry experience.”
Bora Basyildiz, former Quantum Engineering student and NRT Fellow
Colorado School of Mines
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