Program and Courses

Quantum Engineering

Program Overview

Quantum Engineering is an interdisciplinary program that seeks to equip students for careers in emerging technologies based on quantum entanglement. It encompasses a wide range of disciplines, including physics, materials science, computer science, electrical engineering, chemistry, and mathematics, and is a collaborative effort among many Mines departments.

 

Two Master’s degrees and one professional certificate are offered. Quantum Engineering has two tracks for both degrees and the professional certificate.
  • Quantum Engineering Hardware (QEH) track focuses on experimental techniques relevant to quantum technology
  • Quantum Engineering Software (QES) track focuses on theory, algorithms, and simulation
Colorado School of Mines Quantum Engineering unit logo
To complete the program, a track must be chosen, but courses from both tracks may be taken provided that the prerequisite requirements are met. An interdisciplinary minor in Quantum Engineering is also offered. Details are in the course catalog.

Degree Options

MS Thesis

Hardware Track (QEH)
Course Information

  • PHGN519 – Fundamentals of Quantum Information
  • EENG532 – Low Temperature Microwave Measurements for Quantum Applications
  • PHGN535 – Interdisciplinary Silicon Processing Laboratory
  • PHGN707 – Graduate Thesis / Dissertation Credit

Software Track (QES)
Course Information

  • PHGN519 – Fundamentals of Quantum Information
  • CSCI581 – Quantum Programming
  • PHGN545 – Quantum Many-Body Physics
  • PHGN707 – Graduate Thesis / Dissertation Credit

All classes are also available in the Academic Catalog.

MS Non-Thesis

Hardware Track (QEH)
Course Information

  • PHGN519 – Fundamentals of Quantum Information
  • EENG532 – Low Temperature Microwave Measurements for Quantum Applications
  • PHGN535 – Interdisciplinary Silicon Processing Laboratory

Software Track (QES)
Course Information

  • PHGN519 – Fundamentals of Quantum Information
  • CSCI581 – Quantum Programming
  • PHGN545 – Quantum Many-Body Physics

All classes are also available in the Academic Catalog.

Graduate Certificate

Hardware Track (QEH)
Course Information

  • PHGN519 – Fundamentals of Quantum Information
  • EENG532 – Low Temperature Microwave Measurements for Quantum Applications
  • PHGN535 – Interdisciplinary Silicon Processing Laboratory

Software Track (QES)
Course Information

  • PHGN519 – Fundamentals of Quantum Information
  • CSCI581 – Quantum Programming
  • PHGN545 – Quantum Many-Body Physics

All classes are also available in the Academic Catalog.

Graduate Electives

Beyond the required courses for each track, students will take one or more additional electives chosen from an extensive list of relevant courses (courses meant for the other track can also be used for these electives). The following list is continually updated as the curricula of the participating departments evolve.

Please note:

  • Independent study and electives not on the list require approval from Dr. Meenakshi Singh, the QE Program Director
  • Beginning Fall 2024, for incoming students, 400-level courses no longer count toward a Master’s degree.

Physics

PHGN520 Quantum Mechanics I 3
PHGN521 Quantum Mechanics II 3
PHGN530 Statistical Mechanics 3
PHGN550 Nanoscale Physics and Technology 3
PHGN566 Modern Optical Engineering 3
PHGN581 Laser Physics 3
PHGN585 Nonlinear Optics 3

Computer Science

CSCI542 Simulation 3
CSCI561 Theory of Computation 3
CSCI563 Parallel Computing for Scientists and Engineers 3
CSCI564 Advanced Computer Architecture 3
CSCI571 Artificial Intelligence 3
CSCI574 Theory of Cryptography 3
CSCI575 Advanced Machine Learning 3
CSCI580 Advanced High Performance Computing 3

Electrical Engineering

EENG509 Sparse Signal Processing 3
EENG517 Modern Control Design 3
EENG526 Advanced Electromagnetics 3
EENG528 Computational Electromagnetics 3
EENG529 Active RF and Microwave Devices 3
EENG530 Passive RF and Microwave Devices 3
EENG617 Intelligent Control Systems 3
EENG618 Nonlinear and Adaptive Control

Metallurgy and Materials Engineering

MTGN605 Advanced Transmission Electron Microscopy 2
MTGN605L Advanced Transmission Electron Microscopy Lab 1
MTGN656 Advanced Electron Microscopy 2
MTGN656L Advanced Electron Microscopy Lab 1
MTGN573 Computational Materials 3

Materials Science

MLGN502 Solid State Physics 3
MLGN515 Electrical Properties and Applications of Materials 3
MLGN583 Principles and Applications of Surface Analysis Techniques 3
MLGN593 Bonding, Structure, and Crystallography 3

Applied Mathematics and Statistics

MATH506 Complex Analysis II 3
MATH510 Ordinary Differential Equations and Dynamical Systems 3
MATH536 Advanced Statistical Modeling 3
MATH538 Stochastic Models 3
MATH550 Numerical Solution of Partial Differential Equations 3
MATH551 Computational Linear Algebra 3

Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences

HASS523 Advanced Science Communications 3

All classes are also available in the Academic Catalog.

Combined BS/MS

As with many other graduate programs, students enrolled in Mines’ combined undergraduate/graduate program (meaning uninterrupted registration from the time the student earns a Mines undergraduate degree to the time the student begins a Mines graduate degree) may double count up to six hours of credits which were used in fulfilling the requirements of their undergraduate degree at Mines towards their quantum engineering MS degree. Any 400+ level courses that count towards the undergraduate degree requirements as Elective Coursework, or any 500+ level course, may be used for double counting at the discretion of the graduate advisor. These courses must have been passed with a B- or better, not be substitutes for required coursework, and meet all other University, Department, Division, and Program requirements for graduate credit.

Registration Requirements for Combined Students

Grad School Resources

Important Grad School Links

Graduate Studies Website Step-by-Step Guide to Graduation
Combined Program BS/MS Cost of Attendance
Registration Requirements Degree Requirements
Master’s Along the Way Reduced Registration
Graduation Deadlines Thesis Writer’s Guide
Forms Graduate School Contacts
Three quantum related photos in a line. Photo one is a male student working with quantum equipment in a lab setting. Photo two is a student working in a lab clean room. Photo three is a female and male engineer working together on quantum equipment

Ready to apply?

Learn how you can apply for both undergraduate and graduate students.

UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS
GRADUATE ADMISSIONS

Important dates

Make sure you’re ready for application deadlines, semester kick-offs and more.

ACADEMIC CALENDAR
Quantum Engineering Student working with a microscope in a lap setting

Quantum Engineering Minor

With strong industry connections and hands-on learning experiences, this minor will give you the fundamentals required to understand entanglement in quantum information technologies and how it’s used for computation, communication and sensing while giving you the skills the workforce needs.

This interdisciplinary program will give undergraduates from chemistry, computer science, electrical engineering, mathematics, materials science and physics an introduction to the core concepts underlying quantum computing, communication and sensing. Students will gain experience with quantum hardware and theory that prepares them for careers in the rapidly evolving quantum engineering industries.

Requirements

The interdisciplinary minor in Quantum Engineering requires 18 credit hours.

QE minor students will be required to take:

Students may select an additional 2 courses from the list above or the list below (also available in the Academic Catalog) to further increase specialization:

  • Physics:
  • Computer Science:
    • CSCI423 – Computer Simulation
    • CSCI440 – Parallel Computing for Scientists and Engineers
    • CSCI470 – Introduction to Machine Learning
    • CSCI474 – Introduction to Cryptography
  • Metallurgy and Materials Engineering:
    • MTGN211 – Structure of Materials
    • MTGN315 – Electrical Properties and Applications of Materials
    • MTGN352 – Metallurgical and Materials Kinetics
    • MTGN350 – Statistical Process Control and Design of Experiments
    • MTGN456 – Electron Microscopy
    • MTGN473 – Computational Materials
  • Electrical Engineering:
    • EENG307 – Introduction to Feedback Control Systems
    • EENG383 – Microcomputer Architecture and Interfacing
    • EENG385 – Electronic Devices and Circuits
    • EENG411 – Digital Signal Processing
    • EENG421 – Semiconductor Device Physics and Design
    • EENG428 – Computational Electromagnetics
    • EENG430 – Passive RF & Microwave Devices
  • Applied Mathematics and Statistics

Frequently Asked Questions

Are GRE scores required to apply to the Quantum Engineering (QE) Master's program?

No, GRE scores are not required for either the QE Master’s Thesis or QE Master’s Non-Thesis. Submission of GRE scores is entirely optional.

To whom should I submit my academic credentials?

Please submit all academic credentials only via the online application.

Are teaching and research assistantships available?

Yes, teaching and research assistantships are available to qualified MS and PhD candidates in Mines’ interdisciplinary programs.

Does Mines offer a Quantum Engineering PhD?

No. Currently PhDs go only through the QE constituent departments.

Does Mines offer a Quantum Engineering Minor?

Yes, beginning with the Fall 2021 semester.

What types of courses should I take as an undergraduate that would allow myself to be viewed most favorably for admission to the Quantum Engineering program?

A science or engineering degree and successful completion of college-level linear algebra are required for admission. Successful completion of a number of elective courses is required for the QE MS Thesis, MS Non-Thesis, and Graduate Certificate options. Completion of prerequisites, or comparable courses, for the electives that you intend to take, prior to entering the program, is recommended. Please see the Electives section of this document for information on the various elective courses including prerequisites.

Application Info

For more information about admission to our program, application instructions, deadlines, selection criteria, and other aspects of the process, please see the Quantum Engineering Program Overview and Quantum Engineering Minor pages, refer to the FAQs and Grad Links sections of this document, and/or contact us at quantum@mines.edu.

Please submit credentials only via the online application.