Doctor of Philosophy in Combinatorics and Optimization (Quantum Information)
The University of Waterloo, home of the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC), 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 Combinatorics and Optimization is given below.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements are the same as those for PhD in Combinatorics and Optimization. Please refer to the Department of Combinatorics and Optimization website.
Degree Requirements
For the PhD in Combinatorics & Optimization (Quantum Information), students must fulfill the requirements of the Combinatorics & Optimization PhD in addition to the specific requirements for the Quantum Information program: these combined requirements are described here.
Combinatorics and Optimization Core Courses:
- CO 630, CO 642, CO 650, CO 663, CO 681, CO 685
Quantum Information Core Courses:
- QIC 710: Quantum Information Processing (equivalent to CO681)
- QIC 750: Implementation of Quantum Information Processing
Course Requirements
Eight courses including QIC 710, QIC750, and three other C&O core courses. At least five of the courses taken should be CO courses, and at least four should be Quantum Information courses (note that jointly offered or cross-listed courses, like CO681/QIC710, are regarded as both CO and QIC courses).
If students have credit for a course deemed equivalent to a particular core course by the Department Graduate Committee, then that part of the core requirement may be waived.
The Department may require additional course work in cases where this is judged to be necessary; for instance, when a student is admitted to the PhD program without having been granted credit for a Master's degree.
Research Skills Seminar - Milestone
Required for PhD students in C&O unless the student satisfied this requirement as a MMath student at the C&O department.
Comprehensive Examination Requirement
There are two stages in the comprehensive examination. The first stage is a written examination covering the fundamentals of combinatorics and optimization. These are usually offered once a year, in the spring term. The student must write one exam from two of the following three categories:
- Combinatorial Enumeration, Graph Theory
- Continuous Optimization, Discrete Optimization
- Cryptography, Quantum Computing
(The choice of exams is made by the student, in consultation with their supervisor. Students in the Quantum Information program must write the Quantum Computing comprehensive exam.)
The first stage of the comprehensives must be taken within four terms of the student's first registration in the PhD program. The Comprehensive Examination Requirement is satisfied by passing both examinations.
The second stage comprehensive is an oral exam at which the student is expected to give a brief description of the questions they propose to work on for the PhD and a summary of the main results in this area. A handout giving more details is available from the Graduate Secretary. This exam should normally be taken within one year of completing the first-stage of the comprehensives. It must be taken at least one full term before the PhD defence is scheduled.
Advisory Committees
Each student has an Advisory Committee, which normally consists of the student's supervisor and two other department members with expertise in the area of the student's research interests. A current listing of Quantum Information thesis supervisors and their home unit is available on the IQC website. The Advisory Committee acts as the examining committee at the student's second stage comprehensive examination, and is usually formed at this time. The members of the advisory committee will also usually act as examiners at the student's PhD defence. The Advisory Committee is selected by the Graduate Officer, who will consult the student and their supervisor.
Lecturing Requirement
Every PhD student will be required to lecture under supervision during the program of studies. If a PhD student gives a scheduled course on a regular basis, the same two faculty members will attend three of the lectures and make a confidential, constructive critique of the student's performance to the student.
The candidate may not put the thesis on display until at least the term following that in which the Lecturing Requirement was successfully completed.
Quantum Information Seminar Requirement
PhD students in the Quantum Information program must successfully complete a seminar milestone consisting of one IQC seminar, and one seminar on a QI topic aimed at members of the home academic unit.
If appropriate, lectures given as part of the Lecturing Requirement may also be used to satisfy the seminar requirement.
Thesis Requirement
The candidate must prepare a thesis in Quantum Information, embodying the results of original research, of a standard that would warrant publication in a research journal of the field. The thesis must be acceptable to the student's supervisor (a current listing of Quantum Information thesis supervisors and their home unit is available on the IQC website), to two professors in the Department and one professor outside the Department, and to an external examiner familiar with the student's research field. The student is required to defend the thesis at an oral examination. This requirement is met when the thesis has been successfully defended and accepted.
An updated list of Quantum Information courses is available on the IQC website.
For more information, please contact:
Melissa Cambridge
Combinatorics & Optimization, Graduate Studies
Email: m2cambridge@uwaterloo.ca
Phone: 519-888-4567 ext. 34027
or
Monica Dey
Institute for Quantum Computing
University of Waterloo
E-mail: mdey@iqc.ca
Phone: 519-888-4567 ext. 38702