UW–Madison is awaiting approval of this new academic program by the Student & Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) before we are able to accept prospective F-1 students into this program or issue a Form I-20 for this program. International students may apply for this program but will only be considered for admission if or when the program is approved.
The MS in Quantum Computing (MSQC) is a professional master’s degree designed to provide students with a thorough grounding in the discipline of quantum information and quantum computing.
This program builds upon the success of the first such program in the U.S.. The MSQC program explores the interdisciplinary nature of the field of Quantum Computing and offers the students the opportunity to develop specialized skills in Software/Computation or Hardware. The program examines relevant parts of quantum theory and measurement techniques and proceeds to in-depth training in quantum gates, qubit tune-up, algorithms, quantum error correction and decoherence. It combines classroom instruction, laboratory participation and opportunities for involvement in research projects.
The program is typically completed within five semesters but can be completed in one calendar year (three semesters) at an accelerated pace.
Students who graduate from this program will have the tools to succeed as researchers or program managers in a quantum computing or quantum technologies enterprise. They may also use the program as a springboard to PhD programs in physics or related areas. MSQC students interested in applying to the PhD at UW–Madison must adhere to all PhD admission requirements and deadlines.
The program collaborates closely with faculty across campus that are involved in the Wisconsin Quantum Institute.
Admissions
Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.
Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online.
| Fall Deadline | March 15 |
| Spring Deadline | The program does not admit in the spring.* |
| Summer Deadline | The program does not admit in the summer. |
| GRE (Graduate Record Examination) | Not required. |
| English Proficiency Test | Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Requirements for Admission policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1241. |
| Other Test (s) (e.g. GMAT, MCAT) | n/a |
| Letters of Recommendation Required | 3 |
- *
Current UW-Madison undergraduate and graduate students who graduate in the preceding fall semester may be eligible to apply for spring semester. Applicants should reach out to the MSQC Graduate Advisor for more information.
The program is designed so that students from various STEM fields can complete it. Previous coursework in calculus and linear algebra is highly recommended. Two semesters of introductory physics coursework and familiarity with Python or other programming languages is beneficial.
Admissions Materials
- Three letters of recommendation
- Unofficial transcripts: If you are recommended for admission, the Graduate School will reach out to request official transcripts at that time.
- Resume/CV
- Statement of Purpose: Address relevant experiences and future research/industry interests and goals. Communicate motivations for pursuing the MS-Quantum Computing program, and convey how interests/experiences align with the program and the strengths of UW–Madison in the field of Quantum Computing.
Funding
Graduate School Resources
The Bursar’s Office provides information about tuition and fees associated with being a graduate student. Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.
Minimum Graduate School Requirements
Review the Graduate School minimum degree requirements and policies, in addition to the program requirements listed below.
Major Requirements
Mode of Instruction
| Face to Face | Evening/Weekend | Online | Hybrid | Accelerated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | No | No | No |
Mode of Instruction Definitions
Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.
Evening/Weekend: Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules. Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments.
Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.
Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats. Contact the program for more specific information.
Online: These programs are offered 100% online. Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format.
Curricular Requirements
| Minimum Credit Requirement | 30 credits |
| Minimum Residence Credit Requirement | 16 credits |
| Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement | 15 credits must be graduate level coursework. Refer to the Graduate School's Minimum Graduate Coursework (50%) Requirement Policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/UW-1244 |
| Overall Graduate GPA Requirement | 3.00 GPA required. Refer to the Graduate School: Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement policy:https://https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1203 |
| Other Grade Requirements | n/a |
| Assessments and Examinations | None. |
| Language Requirements | None. |
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ||
| PHYSICS 701 | Graduate Introductory Seminars | 1 |
| PHYSICS 707 | Quantum Computing Laboratory | 4 |
| PHYSICS 709 | Introduction to Quantum Computing | 3 |
| PHYSICS 763 | Qubit Tune-Up and Programming | 3 |
| PHYSICS 779 | Advanced Quantum Computing | 3 |
| Core Electives | ||
| Students must complete at least 2 courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Atomic and Quantum Physics | ||
| Atomic and Quantum Physics | ||
| Introduction to Quantum Mechanics | ||
| Introduction to Atomic Structure | ||
| Solid State Physics | ||
| Quantum Mechanics | ||
| Quantum Mechanics | ||
| Pathway 1 | ||
| Students must complete their selected pathway courses to satisfy the minimum credit requirement. Refer to the appropriate pathway table below for specific requirements. | 10 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Software Pathway1
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Quantum Algorithms | ||
| Students in the Software Pathway must complete the following course: | ||
| PHYSICS 765 | Quantum Algorithms and Error Correction | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Students complete courses from the following: | 7 | |
| Data Science Programming I for Research | ||
| Introduction to Numerical Methods | ||
| Software Engineering | ||
| High Performance Computing for Applications in Engineering | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Total Credits | 10 | |
Hardware Pathway1
Students must choose to complete the Atomic Molecular Optical (AMO) Option or the Solid State Option.
Atomic Molecular (AMO) Option
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fundamentals and Application | ||
| Students in the AMO Option must complete the following courses: | ||
| PHYSICS 623 | Electronic Aids to Measurement | 4 |
| PHYSICS 625 | Applied Optics | 4 |
| Elective | ||
| Students complete courses from the following: | 2-3 | |
| Light Interactions with Quantum Materials (Elective) | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Total Credits | 10 | |
Solid State Option
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fundamentals and Properties | ||
| Students in the Solid State Option must complete the following courses: | ||
| PHYSICS 623 | Electronic Aids to Measurement | 4 |
| PHYSICS 551 | Solid State Physics | 3 |
| Elective | ||
| Students complete courses from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Integrated Circuit Fabrication Laboratory | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Total Credits | 10 | |
- 1
These pathways are internal to the program and represent different curricular paths a student can follow to earn this degree. Pathway names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript.
Other Policy
Students in this program may not take courses outside the prescribed curriculum without faculty advisor and program director approval. Students in this program cannot enroll concurrently in other undergraduate or graduate degree programs.
Policies
Graduate School Policies
The Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures serve as the official document of record for Graduate School academic and administrative policies and procedures and are updated continuously. Note some policies redirect to entries in the official UW-Madison Policy Library. Programs may set more stringent policies than the Graduate School. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.
Major-Specific Policies
Prior Coursework
Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions:
The program does not transfer graduate credits from other institutions unless specific agreements with those institutions and the program have been put in place.
Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison:
With program approval, up to 7 credits in courses numbered 300 or above taken at UW-Madison may transfer to satisfy minimum degree requirements. These credits are not allowed to count toward the 50% graduate coursework minimum unless numbered 700 or above from UW- Madison. Coursework earned ten or more years prior to admission to a master’s degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements. Undergraduate credits earned at other institutions are not accepted.
Credits Earned as a Professional Student at UW-Madison (Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Veterinary careers)
Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy.
Credits Earned as a University Special Student at UW-Madison
With program approval, students are allowed to transfer up to 9 credits of coursework numbered 300 or above taken as a UW–Madison University Special student. However, these credits are not allowed to count toward the 50% graduate coursework minimum unless numbered 700 or above or are taken to meet the requirements of a capstone certificate and has the “Grad 50%” attribute. Coursework earned ten or more years prior to admission to a master’s degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.
Probation
Refer to the Graduate School: Probation policy.
Advisor / Committee
All students will be assigned a faculty advisor upon matriculation.
Credits Per Term Allowed
15 credit maximum. Refer to the Graduate School: Maximum Credit Loads and Overload Requests policy.
Time Limits
Refer to the Graduate School: Time Limits policy.
Grievances and Appeals
These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:
- Bias or Hate Reporting
- Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
- Hostile and Intimidating Behavior Policies and Procedures
- Employee Assistance (for personal counseling and workplace consultation around communication and conflict involving graduate assistants and other employees, post-doctoral students, faculty and staff)
- Employee Disability Resource Office (for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to have equal employment opportunities)
- Graduate School (for informal advice at any level of review and for official appeals of program/departmental or school/college grievance decisions)
- Office of Compliance (for class harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence)
- Office Student Assistance and Support (OSAS) (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
- Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (for conflicts involving students)
- Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff (for employed graduate students and post-docs, as well as faculty and staff)
- Title IX (for concerns about discrimination)
L&S Policy for Graduate Student Academic Appeals
Graduate students have the right to appeal an academic decision related to an L&S graduate program if the student believes that the decision is inconsistent with published policy.
Academic decisions that may be appealed include:
- Dismissal from the graduate program
- Failure to pass a qualifying or preliminary examination
- Failure to achieve satisfactory academic progress
- Academic disciplinary action related to failure to meet professional conduct standards
Issues such as the following cannot be appealed using this process:
- A faculty member declining to serve as a graduate student’s advisor.
- Decisions regarding the student’s disciplinary knowledge, evaluation of the quality of work, or similar judgements. These are the domain of the department faculty.
- Course grades. These can be appealed instead using the L&S Policy for Grade Appeal.
- Incidents of bias or hate, hostile and intimidating behavior, or discrimination (Title IX, Office of Compliance). Direct these to the linked campus offices appropriate for the incident(s).
Appeal Process for Graduate Students
A graduate student wishing to appeal an academic decision must follow the process in the order listed below. Note time limits within each step.
- The student should first seek informal resolution, if possible, by discussing the concern with their academic advisor, the department’s Director of Graduate Studies, and/or the department chair.
- If the program has an appeal policy listed in their graduate program handbook, the student should follow the policy as written, including adhering to any indicated deadlines. In the absence of a specific departmental process, the chair or designee will be the reviewer and decision maker, and the student should submit a written appeal to the chair within 15 business days of the academic decision. The chair or designee will notify the student in writing of their decision.
- If the departmental process upholds the original decision, the graduate student may next initiate an appeal to L&S. To do so, the student must submit a written appeal to the L&S Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Academic Affairs within 15 business days of notification of the department’s decision.
- To the fullest extent possible, the written appeal should include, in a single document: a clear and concise statement of the academic decision being appealed, any relevant background on what led to the decision, the specific policies involved, the relief sought, any relevant documentation related to the departmental appeal, and the names and titles of any individuals contributing to or involved in the decision.
- The Assistant Dean will work with the Academic Associate Dean of the appropriate division to consider the appeal. They may seek additional information and/or meetings related to the case.
- The Assistant Dean and Academic Associate Dean will provide a written decision within 20 business days.
- If L&S upholds the original decision, the graduate student may appeal to the Graduate School. More information can be found on their website: Grievances and Appeals (see: Graduate School Appeal Process).
Other
n/a
Professional Development
Graduate School Resources
Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate understanding of the physical and mathematical concepts of quantum computing.
- Articulate theories, experimental techniques, research methods, and technologies of quantum computing.
- Apply quantum computing principles and techniques to develop and analyze software and hardware.
- Communicate clearly in ways appropriate to the field of quantum computing.
- Recognize and apply principles of ethical and professional conduct.