All Academic Course Offerings
All quantum-related courses regularly offered at UW.
*EE 500Q: Quantum Information Science and Engineering Seminar
Weekly presentations from quantum scientists across multiple disciplines; covering industry, academia, and national lab experiences in QISE.
*required for QISE Certificate
Professor Kai-Mei Fu / Winter 2023
Quantum Information Science
Quantum information science seeks to understand how fundamental laws of quantum physics can be used to dramatically improve the acquisition, transmission, and processing of information.
Courses in this area discuss basic, intermediate and advanced concepts of quantum information and quantum computation: qubits, entanglement, quantum gates and quantum algorithms, quantum error correction, as well as topics including physical qubits and quantum computing architectures.
PHYS 107: Quantum Mechanics, Relativity, and the Foundations of the Modern Technological World
Professor Miguel Morales / Winter 2023
PHYS 225: Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
Emphasizes two-state systems. Introduces spin and applications in nuclear magnetic resonance.
Professor Gray Rybka / Autumn 2022 / Course Info
PHYS 324: Quantum Mechanics – Part I
Introduction to nonrelativistic quantum mechanics: need for quantum theory, Schrodinger equation, operators, angular momentum, the hydrogen atom, identical particles, and the periodic table.
Professor Subdaheep Gupta / Autumn 2022 / Course Info
PHYS 421: Atomic Physics
Survey of the principal phenomena of atomic and molecular physics.
Professor Boris Blinov / Autumn 2022 / Course Info
PHYS 325: Quantum Mechanics – Part II
Continuation of PHYS 324. Introduction to nonrelativistic quantum mechanics: perturbation theory, the variational principle, radiation; application of quantum mechanics to atomic physics, magnetic resonance, scattering, and various special topics.
Professor Subdadeep Gupta / Winter 2023 / Course Info
PHYS 507: Physical Applications of Group Theory
This course aims to provide an understanding of finite and continuous groups and the tools needed to apply them. The split between finite and continuous groups will be about 1:1. Group theory is important in most branches of physics, most notably solid state, nuclear and particle physics.
Professor Steve Sharpe / Autumn 2023
PHYS 517: Quantum Mechanics
Introduction to quantum information and quantum computation. Qubits, gates, algorithms, error correction, fault tolerance, elements of information theory.
Professor Silas Beane / Autumn 2022
PHYS 518: Quantum Mechanics
Continuation of PHYS 517. Modern non-relativistic quantum mechanics. Topics include: atomic structure, scattering processes, density operator description of mixed states, and measurement theory.
Professor Silas Beane / Winter 2023
PHYS 519: Quantum Mechanics
Third of a three-part sequence.
Professor Justin Kaidi / Spring 2023
*PHYS 521: Quantum Information
Quantum information and quantum computing. Landauer’s Principle, density matrices, Bell and CHSH inequalities, GHZ state, quantum circuits, noisy gates, universality, superdense coding, quantum teleportation algorithms, open quantum systems, decoherence, quantum error correction and fault tolerance, physical implementations
*satisfies Introductory Requirement for QISE Certificate
Professor Mark Rudner / Autumn 2022 / Course Info
EE 522: Quantum Information Practicum
*satisfies Independent Research Requirement for QISE Certificate
Professor Sara Mouradian / Spring 2023
EE 528: Quantum Information Theory and Tensor Networks
Professor Rahul Trivedi / AY 2023-2024
EE 541: Applications of Quantum Mechanics
Professor Subdaheep Gupta / Spring 2022
PHYS 550: Atomic Physics
In this course we will cover core topics and discuss areas of current interest in atomic, molecular and optical (AMO) physics.
Professor Subdaheep Gupta / AY 2023-2024 / Course Info
*PHYS 576: Implementations in Quantum Information
This project-based course is designed to highlight the challenges of implementing quantum information systems. The course will utilize IonQ quantum hardware as well as IonQ’s quantum hardware, accessed via Microsoft’s Azure Quantum.
*satisfies Implementations Requirement for QISE Certificate.
Professor Kai-Mei Fu and Postdoc Linghua Zhu / Winter 2023
*CHEM 561: Introduction to Quantum Information Science and Engineering for Chemists and Materials Scientists
*satisfies Introductory Requirement for QISE Certificate
Professors Brandi Cossairt and Peter Pauzauskie / Autumn 2022
PHYS 570: Quantum Field Theory 1
Emphasizes either relativistic quantum field theory or the many-body problem.
Professor Masha Baryakhtar / Autumn 2021 / Course Info
PHYS 571: Quantum Field Theory 2
Professor Masha Baryakhtar / Winter 2022
PHYS 572: Quantum Field Theory 3
Professor Natalie Paquette / Spring 2022
PHYS 578: Selected Topics in Theoretical Physics – Quantum information and quantum computation
This class first covers the basics of quantum mechanics from an axiomatic point of view as well as the classical theory of computational complexity. Using this as background, it then moves on to quantum computational complexity and a discussion of basic quantum algorithms, including Shor’s factoring algorithm and Grover search. It finishes with a brief introduction to quantum error correction.
Professor Lukasz Fidkowski / Spring 2019
PHYS 578A: Quantum Information and Simulation for Scientific Applications
Covers research at the forefront of quantum information science, quantum computing and theoretical physics that is enabling the early progress in quantum simulations of quantum systems of future importance for scientific applications.
Professor Martin Savage / Spring 2023
CSE 599I: The Art and Science of Positive Definite Matrices
Positive semidefinite matrices are fundamental objects in semidefinite programming, quantum information theory, and spectral graph theory. Despite their widespread utility, analysis and geometry on the PSD cone is often strange, subtle and, occasionally, magical. This course will focus on the properties of such matrices with an eye toward applications.
Often this gives certain phenomena an “operational” interpretation that provides intuition to complement the underlying linear algebra. The style of the course will be to first introduce a classical argument with real numbers and then to explore analogs for PSD matrices.
Professor James R. Lee / Spring 2021 / Course Info
MSE 566: Energy Materials, Devices, and Systems
Provides project based training for synthesis & characterization of new energy materials, for generation and storage, and the integration of renewables into energy systems using instruments at the Clean Energy Research Training Testbed.
Professor Cody W. Schlenker / Autumn 2023
Quantum Technology
Quantum technology broadly describes fields of applied research encompassing computational, imaging and sensing devices that use quantum effects for enhanced performance.
Courses in this area focus on practical applications and physical implementations of systems based on properties of quantum mechanics, such as quantum computing, quantum cryptography, quantum simulations, quantum sensors, quantum metrology and quantum imaging.
PHYS 419: Quantum Computing (Undergraduates)
Introduction to the theory and practice of quantum computation. Includes physics of information processing, quantum logic, quantum algorithms, quantum error correction, quantum communication, and cryptography.
Professor Boris Blinov / Autumn 2022 / Course Info
ECE 421 + 521: Applied Quantum Mechanics
Covers the basic theory of quantum mechanics in the context of modern examples of technological importance involving 1D, 2D, and 3D nanomaterials. Develops a qualitative and quantitative understanding of the principles of quantization, band structure, density of states, and Fermi’s golden rule (optical absorption, electron-impurity/phonon scattering).
Professor M.P. (Anant) Anantram / Winter 2023 / Course Info
PHYS 427 + 576: Advanced Topics in Optics and Photonics
Professor Mo Li / Winter 2022
CHEM 465 + 565: Computational Chemistry
Basics of molecular quantum chemistry (Hartree-Fock and density functional theory); numerical implementation using computers, including basics of programming and scientific computing; applications to problems in chemistry..
Professor Xiaosong Li / Winter 2023
ECE 485: Introduction to Photonics
Introduction to optical principles and phenomena. Topics include electromagnetic theory of light, interference, diffraction, polarization, photon optics, laser principles, Gaussian beam optics, semiconductor optics, semiconductor photonic devices.
Professor Lih Lin / Autumn 2021 / Course Info
EE 487 + 587: Introduction to Photonics
Introduction to optical principles and phenomena. Topics include electromagnetic theory of light, interference, diffraction, polarization, photon optics, laser principles, Gaussian beam optics, semiconductor optics, semiconductor photonic devices.
Professor Lih Lin / Autumn 2022 / Course Info
EE 488 + 588: Advanced Photonics
Professor Lih Lin / Winter 2023
CSE 490Q: Undergraduate Quantum Computing
Professor James Lee / Spring 2023
EE 528: Quantum Optics for Quantum Information Application
Professor Rahul Trivedi / Spring 2023
ECE 529: Semiconductor Optoelectronics
Covers optical processes in semiconductors; optical waveguide theory; junction theory; LEDs; lasers photodetectors; photovoltaics; and optical modulators and switches.
Professor Scott Dunham / Winter 2022 / Course Info
EE 539: Nanotechnology Modeling
Professor Scott Dunham / Winter 2023
PHYS 575: Quantum Computing (Graduates)
Introduction to the theory and practice of quantum computation. Includes physics of information processing, quantum logic, quantum algorithms, quantum error correction, quantum communication, and cryptography.
Professor Boris Blinov / Autumn 2022 / Course Info
PHYS 576A: Nanomechanical resonators: precision measurements, optomechanics, and quantum computing.
This course is geared towards introducing the field of nanomechanics to early-career graduate students, with a focus on the breadth of contemporary applications. Students will learn fundamentals and survey the current state-of-the-art, learning how mechanical vibrations can be employed in studying fundamental physics and applied to quantum technologies.
Professor Arthur Barnard / Autumn 2021
EE P 598 B: Quantum Mechanics & Quantum Computing Basics
Professor MP (Anant) Anantram / Summer 2022 / Course Info
*CSE 599Z: Introduction to Quantum Computing
*satisfies Introductory Requirement for the QISE Certificate.
Professor James Lee / Autumn 2022
Quantum Materials
Quantum materials possess unusual properties, based on quantum mechanical interactions, that could revolutionize many fields of technology.
Courses in this area describe properties and development of these materials which and have a wide range of potential applications including magnetic field sensing, low-power memory modules, high-density storage devices, quantum computers and energy-related technologies.
CHEM 455: Physical Chemistry
Introduction to quantum chemistry and spectroscopy. Theory of quantum mechanics presented at an elementary level and applied to the electronic structure of atoms and molecules and to molecular spectra.
Professors David Ginger, David Masiello / Autumn 2022, Spring 2023/ Course Info
CHEM E 456: Quantum Mechanics for Chemical Engineers
Provides chemical engineers with the theoretical and mathematical framework necessary to approach quantum mechanical problems in engineering, while also making explicit ties to the chemical engineering undergraduate core curriculum.
Professor Vince Holmberg / Autumn 2022 / Course Info
MSE 476 + 576: Introduction to Optoelectronic Materials
Introduces the optical properties of dielectrics, semiconductors, and metals, and their applications in optoelectronic and photonic devices used in telecommunicatons, biomedical, and renewable energy industries.
Professor Peter Pauzauskie / Autumn 2019 / Course Info
CHEM 485 + 585: Electronic Structure and Application of Materials
Introduction to electronic structure theory of solids from a chemical perspective, including band theory and the free electron model, with an emphasis in the second half of the quarter on modern trends in research in inorganic materials in the bulk and on the nanometer scale.
Professor Alexandra Velian / Winter 2022 / Course Info
CHEM 486 + 586: Electronic Dynamics in Organic and Inorganic Materials
Energy and charge transfer; exciton migration and charge transport; photophysical dynamics in optoelectronic and kinetic processes in electrochemical energy conversion.
Professor Cody Schlenker / Spring 2023
CHEM 487 + 587 + CHEM E 599: Nanomaterial Chemistry and Engineering
Rigorous overview of fundamental chemical and physical concepts important to nanomaterials science and engineering. Focus on luminescent, plasmonic, magnetic nanomaterials.
Professor Vince Holmberg / Spring 2022
CHEM E 498: Quantum Mechanics for Chemical Engineers
Provides chemical engineers with the theoretical and mathematical framework necessary to approach quantum mechanical problems in engineering, while also making explicit ties to the chemical engineering undergraduate core curriculum.
Professor Vince Holmberg / Autumn 2021 / Course Info
MSE 498 / 599: Quantum Hall Defects and Topological Insulators
Professor Di Xiao / Spring 2023
ECE 527: Micro and Nanofabrication
Principles and techniques for the fabrication of microelectronics devices and integrated circuits. Includes clean room laboratory practices and chemical safety, photolithography, wet and dry etching, oxidation and diffusion, metallization and dielectric deposition, compressed gas systems, vacuum systems, thermal processing systems, plasma systems, and metrology.
Professor Mo Li / Spring 2023
MSE 541: Defects in Materials
Professor Peter Pauzauskie / Winter 2023
CHEM 550: Introduction to Quantum Chemistry
Origins and basic postulates of quantum mechanics, solutions to single-particle problems, angular momentum and hydrogenic wave functions, matrix methods, perturbation theory, variational methods.
Professor Anne McCoy / Autumn 2022 / Course Info
CHEM 551: Introduction to Quantum Chemistry
Electronic structure of many-electron atoms and molecules, vibration and rotation levels of molecules, effects of particle exchange, angular momentum and group theory, spectroscopic selection rules.
Professor Munira Khalil / Winter 2023 / Course Info
PHYS 578A: Quantum Dynamics in Condensed Matter Systems
Professor Mark Rudner / Autumn 2022 / Course Info
MSE 599: Quantum Theory of Nanomaterials
Professor Ting Cao / Autumn 2019 / Course Info