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Certificate Program in Quantum Science, Networking, and Communications

Seize the opportunity to learn from leaders in quantum science and gain technical hands-on experience in quantum computing.

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Quantum scientists working in a lab.

At a Glance

Enrollment
Open Enrollment
Duration
7 Weeks
Format
Online
Investment
$2,000

Upcoming Dates

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Quantum technologies are transforming how people live, work, and play. Secure the communication, networking, and programming skills that are revolutionizing industries and reshaping our future.

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Learn by Doing—Quantum Science Reimagined at UChicago

The seven-week certificate course in Quantum Science, Networking, and Communications, offered by the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering and managed by the Chicago Quantum Exchange, and uniquely positioned within the nation’s quantum hub, prepares you to enter the quantum field with demonstrations, simulations, and technical hands-on experience.

In weekly virtual classes, you will interact directly with advanced quantum technologies and leaders in quantum research from UChicago and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in partnership with the NSF Quantum Leap Challenge Institute for Hybrid Quantum Architectures and Networks (HQAN). As our course instructors deliver the fundamentals of quantum computing with singular expertise, they will support your work with discussion and feedback. The certificate course culminates in the simulation of a multi-node quantum network. 

Designed For

This course is ideal for early-career participants with less than ten years of professional experience and a bachelor’s or graduate degree in the sciences such as physics, computer science, engineering, or math. Mid-career professionals seeking to transition into the quantum field will also benefit from this certificate course.

Quantum Engineers Needed—Answer the Call

Quantum science has the power to revolutionize materials, information—and technology. As financial services, telecom, consulting, logistics, biotech, and other industries enter the quantum space, they require qualified professionals from a variety of scientific backgrounds with advanced skills to lead them into the future.  We designed this certificate course to give those with undergraduate or graduate degrees in physics, computer science, engineering, and math the skills needed to break into this high-demand field and fill the need for groundbreaking professionals to transform science and enable technologies never thought possible.

Online Quantum Communications Course Structure

Learning Objectives 

In seven weeks of live sessions and self-paced modules, students will acquire the theoretical and practical fundamentals of quantum computing and communications. These include: 

  • Understanding the linear algebra framework of quantum information and computing basic objects like expectation values, state vector evolution, and decoherence times.
  • Programming quantum circuits using Qiskit software and implementing quantum network protocols using SeQUeNce software.
  • Defining fundamental quantum communication protocols such as quantum teleportation, superdense coding, entanglement distribution, and quantum key distribution (QKD).
  • Explaining the physical components used in quantum networks like superconducting and trapped ion qubits, photonic quantum channels, and quantum repeaters.
Quantum Science certificate of completion preview.

Earn a Certificate in Quantum Science

Upon completing all required assignments and activities, each participant will receive a non-credit certificate of completion at the conclusion of the course.

Course Schedule

The first week focuses on the fundamentals and principles of quantum information. Students will learn about the different types of application protocols for quantum networks and the mathematical formalism of qubits, Bloch sphere, and quantum evolution. Key topics include:

  • Prominent quantum communication tasks such as quantum key distribution (QKD), blind quantum computing, clock synchronization, secret sharing, and long-baseline telescopy
  • Quantum systems like finite-dimensional vector spaces, kets/bras, and unitary and Hermitian matrices 
  • Qubits as the basic building block of quantum information systems, Pauli operators, and the Bloch sphere representation of qubits

Expanding on the previous week’s lesson, students will learn how to compute expectation values for quantum measurements on entangled systems and to understand the density matrix and basic noise models. Key topics include: 

  • Born’s rule for quantum measurement
  • Entangled systems and gates
  • The density matrix and mixed versus pure states

The third module focuses on the basics of quantum programming. Students will learn how to use Qiskit programming software. They will design quantum circuits and remotely implement them on IBM hardware. Through hands-on programming, students will learn basic quantum algorithms. Key topics include:

  • Simon's Algorithm and Grover's Algorithm 
  • Quantum circuit model 
  • Qiskit syntax

The fourth module focuses on quantum communicationsStudents will learn the properties of quantum entanglement, the use of quantum entanglement in quantum communication, and communication primitives such as superdense coding, teleportation, and quantum key distribution. Key topics include:

  • Bell states and Bell measurements
  • Superdense coding and teleportation like entanglement-enhanced communication tasks
  • Quantum key distribution in the BB84 protocol and entanglement-based schemes (measurement device-independent QKD)

The fifth module expands on the quantum communications concepts introduced the previous week. Students will learn how to explain the principles of entanglement swapping, how quantum repeaters work, and the basic concepts of entanglement purification. Key topics include:  

  • Entanglement fidelity and recurrence protocol
  • Quantum error correction and entanglement distribution
  • Achieving long-distance quantum communication

The sixth module focuses on quantum network hardware. Students will learn about the essential components of a quantum network and how they function together. They will connect theoretical protocols with hardware deployment and explore the different types of physical systems used to encode qubits and perform quantum communication. Key topics include:

  • Network components such as memories, repeaters, photon sources, detectors, and interconnects
  • Physical systems such as photons, SC qubits, atoms, and color centers
  • Standard performance metrics for network devices such as coherence times, channel loss, detector efficiency, and transmission fidelity

The final module focuses on quantum network protocols and simulation. Students will learn how to apply all the components of the course in a simulation of a multi-node quantum network. Key topics include:

  • The effects of noise and decoherence on quantum communication protocols
  • Realistic quantum networks and syntax for SeQUeNCe simulator
  • Working through a multi-step protocol of teleportation or QKD by specifying memory fidelity

Meet Your Instructors

Instructors for the certificate in Quantum Science, Networking, and Communications work at the forefront of quantum technology and bring their leading-edge research to the classroom. Faculty and instructors from the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will guide you through the fundamentals of quantum communications, while providing you with support and feedback.

Career Benefits

Few professionals can say their work transforms how people live, work, and play. Life-changing work that impacts virtually every area of our lives is within the quantum science career path. Quantum engineering has the power to transform cybersecurity, materials development, computing, and other research areas, and companies in the communications, electronics, optics, and materials industries are examining how to quickly and effectively build a quantum-ready workforce. Our certificate course in Quantum Science, Networking, and Communications prepares you to meet these industry needs. By acquiring skills in this area, you are capable of leading discoveries, technologies, and solutions never thought possible. Gain these powerful skills with the leader in quantum: UChicago.

20 %

Gartner predicts that 20% of organizations will budget for quantum computing projects by 2023.

$ 150 k

The average salary for a Quantum Computing Engineer in the US.

27 %

According to the QED-C, the global quantum computing market has an anticipated growth of 27% between 2020 and 2024.

Potential Quantum Engineering Job Titles

  • Data Engineer
  • Embedded Software Engineer
  • GPU Computing Software Engineer
  • HPC Engineer
  • Quantum Device Modeling Engineer
  • Quantum Electronic Device Testing Engineer
  • Quantum Support Engineer
  • Research Engineer
  • Research Integration and Yield Engineer
  • Research and Development Software Engineer
  • Software Engineer for Quantum Controls
  • Software Engineer for Quantum Optimization
  • Systems Engineer

Meet Our Quantum Network

The Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE) is an intellectual hub for advancing the science and engineering of quantum information between the CQE community, across the Midwest, and around the globe.

A catalyst for research activity across its member and partner institutions, the CQE is based at the University of Chicago and is anchored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Northwestern University.

Learn More About CQE

Chicago Quantum Exchange

The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) integrates science and engineering to address global challenges from the molecular level up. In the University of Chicago tradition of rigorous inquiry, we ask crucial scientific questions that have real-world implications. Our work applies molecular-level science to the design of advanced devices, processes, and technologies. Organized by interdisciplinary research themes, we aim to develop solutions to urgent societal problems, such as water and energy resources, information security, and human health.

The program was established as the Institute for Molecular Engineering in 2011 by the University in partnership with Argonne National Laboratory. In 2019, in recognition of the institute’s success, impact and expansion, and the support of the Pritzker Foundation, the institute was elevated to the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering—the first school in the nation dedicated to this emerging field.

Learn More About PME

Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering

The NSF Quantum Leap Challenge Institute for Hybrid Quantum Architectures and Networks (HQAN) features three quantum testbeds that will collaboratively develop the technology needed to assemble a hybrid quantum processor and network. Each laboratory is designed with multiple kinds of quantum hardware, which will be used to demonstrate distributed quantum processing and communication protocols. The program integrates engineering, computing, and physics expertise to achieve HQAN’s scientific, technology, and education goals. The HQAN center also includes workforce development initiatives that will inspire and train students who will contribute to the future quantum technology and innovation ecosystem.

Learn More About HQAN

Hybrid Quantum Architectures and Networks

Contact Us

Our team is ready to discuss the course and answer your questions regarding our registration process. You may request more information about the certificate in quantum science by filling out the request for information form or by booking an appointment with an enrollment advisor. 

Group Rates Now Available

Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE) member and partner institution participants receive a 10 percent tuition reduction. CQE member and partner institutions are eligible for a 20 percent tuition reduction on groups of three or more. All other organizations are eligible for a 10 percent tuition reduction on groups of three or more. To enroll a group, please contact Ali Case.

Offered by The University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering

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