Doctor of Philosophy in Quantum Information
The University of Waterloo, home of 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, the University of Waterloo offers a unique interdisciplinary graduate program in Quantum Information that leads to MMath, MSc, MASc, and PhD degrees. This program is a collaboration between the Institute for Quantum Computing and:
- The Departments of Applied Mathematics, Combinatorics and Optimization, and the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science in the Faculty of Mathematics
- The Departments of Chemistry and Physics and Astronomy in the Faculty of Science
- The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering
These academic units are referred to hereinafter as the home units.
MMath, MSc, and MASc students will receive both strong and broad foundations in quantum information science, coupled with knowledge and expertise obtained within their home programs. This will prepare them for the workforce and/or further graduate studies and research leading towards a PhD degree.
PhD students will be especially well-prepared for careers as scholars and researchers, with advanced expertise in quantum information science, together with the focus of their home programs. This new program is designed to provide students with knowledge of quantum information, including both theory and its implementations, advanced expertise in quantum information science and in home program disciplines, as well as training in research.
Admission requirements are the same as those of the home programs. The home unit in which an applicant intends to pursue graduate study must approve the application. Interested students should apply directly to one of the following units via the regular university application process:
Department of Applied Mathematics
Department of Chemistry
Department of Combinatorics and Optimization
David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Information specific to the Department of Physics and Astronomy is given below.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements are the same as those for PhD in Physics. Please refer to the following website:
http://gwp.on.ca/program/requirements.html
Degree Requirements
For the PhD in Physics (Quantum Information), students must fulfill the requirements of the Physics PhD in addition to the specific requirements for the Quantum Information program: these combined requirements are described here.
Course Requirements
The requirements for the PhD in Physics (Quantum Information) are as follows:
- At least Four one-term courses * not including any already taken for MSc credit are required. (Eight courses are required if proceeding directly from an MSc).
- Courses, taken during the MSc program, in excess of those required, may be allowed for PhD credit. The extra courses must be identified prior to admission.
- Courses currently denoted as Physics core courses are as follows: PHYS 701 (Quantum Mechanics 1), PHYS 703 (Introduction to Quantum Field Theory), PHYS 704 (Statistical Physics 1), PHYS 706 (Electromagnetic Theory), PHYS 767 (Introduction to Quantum Information Processing) and PHYS 781 (Fundamentals of Astrophysics).
- Courses currently denoted as Quantum Information core courses are as follows: QIC 710/(cross listed with PHYS 767) (Introduction to Quantum Information Processing) and QIC750 (Implementation of Quantum Information Processing).
- Quantum Information core courses are considered extended core courses and thus qualify as part of the Physics core requirement for students registered in the collaborative Quantum Information Physics PhD program.
- The selection of courses should must include the Quantum Information core courses, QIC710/PHYS767 (Quantum Information Processing) and QIC750 (Implementation of Quantum Information Processing). In addition, one other core course, including one of PHYS 701 (Quantum Mechanics 1), PHYS 704 (Statistical Physics 1) or PHYS 706 (Electromagnetic Theory), or their equivalent, should been taken by the completion of the first year of the PhD program. The selection of courses must include two other Quantum Information courses (in addition to QIC 710 and QIC750).
One of the required courses may be an undergraduate course outside the student's main field of study and must be approved by the student's supervisory committee and the Graduate Officer.
No undergraduate course in Physics may be taken for credit.
PhD Co-operative Program
In addition to the normal PhD program, (GWPI) offers a Co-operative PhD program.
Students normally enter the Co-op PhD program in September, following completion of their MSc degree in either the regular or Co-op program. Normally, the student first spends one or two academic terms on campus, taking a minimum of two courses per term, performing the duties of teaching assistant and interviewing with Co-operative Education and Career Services and with prospective employers. After satisfactory performance in the academic terms the student spends a full year in an external laboratory.
Co-op students write work reports on the work they have carried out during their terms in industry. Guidelines for writing these reports are provided by Co-operative Education and Career Services. Work reports are evaluated by the employer, Co-operative Education and Career Services and (GWPI).
A satisfactory rating for the work report must be attained.
An average of at least 70% must be obtained in the required courses. A minimum grade of 60% is required for a pass in each course. No more than two courses, of the first four taken, can have an average of less than 70%. If a student does not meet these minimum grade requirements, or receives a failing grade in any course, he/she may be required to withdraw from the program.
Supervisory Committee Meetings
It is required that the student meet with his/her Supervisory Committee within the first six months of registration. Subsequently, the supervisory committee is expected to meet with the student at least twice per year. While one meeting in a year must be a formal one, the other meeting may be held informally. In the former case, the student is expected to provide a written report to the Committee and defend it orally. In the latter case, the meeting may simply take the form of a brief discussion of the student's academic progress but, apart from the student and supervisor, it must involve at least one other member of the Committee.
Comprehensive Examination
The student will be required to take a Qualifying Examination, normally during the first year of the program; in any case, it must be passed no later than the sixth semester in which he/she is enrolled. The examination will ascertain the student's knowledge of the fundamentals and applications of the physics closely related to the thesis topic. An assessment of the student's ability in research will be a factor in determining the examination result. If a student has not passed the Qualifying Examination by the end of the sixth semester in which he/she is enrolled, he/she may be required to withdraw from the program.
Quantum Information Seminar Requirement
Students must successfully complete a Quantum Information seminar milestone consisting of one IQC seminar, and one seminar on a Quantum Information topic aimed at members of GWPI.
Thesis Requirement
An acceptable thesis on an advanced research topic in quantum information must be submitted. A list of approved Quantum Information supervisors is available at http://www.iqc.ca/graduate-program-in-qi/supervisors.php. The topic of the thesis and the quality of the research will be such as to merit publication in reputable scholarly media. Detailed specifications of format, etc. are available from the appropriate Graduate Office.
Acceptance of the thesis requires satisfactory completion of a Final Oral Examination. For further information see: Graduate Studies Calendar - Academic Regulations - Minimum Degree Requirements.
An updated list of Quantum Information courses can be found at the following link:
http://www.iqc.ca/graduate-program-in-qi/courses.php.
For more information, please contact:
Linda Stadig
Guelph Waterloo Physics Institute
University of Waterloo
E-mail: gwp@sciborg.uwaterloo.ca
Phone: 519-888-4567 x37598
or
Monica Dey
Institute for Quantum Computing
University of Waterloo
E-mail: mdey@iqc.ca
Phone: 519-888-4567 ext. 38702