Program Details

AQET is a 12 to 15-month training program for UW PhD and MS students that follows the “learn, practice, apply” approach for knowledge transfer established by the successful UW NRT program known as DIRECT (Data Intensive Research Enabling Clean Technologies). Trainees are admitted to the program at the start of their graduate education, and begin AQET-specific curriculum at the start of their 2nd year, after PhD/MS domain course requirements are completed. Completion of all AQET coursework results in a transcriptable option in QIST for PhD and MS students.

AQET begins with a domain-specific foundational course in the first quarter (learn/practice), followed by an interdisciplinary project-based course (practice/apply). An advanced topics course (learn/practice) and interdisciplinary team capstone project (3-6 months) designed to apply the newly acquired skills to real-world applications complete the curriculum.

A new transcriptable Graduate Certificate in Quantum Information Science and Engineering (QISE) is being created, and will be ready for students to pursue starting in Autumn 2022. This Graduate Certificate in QISE is what all AQET trainees will receive after completing the program, but it can also be earned by students outside of the AQET NRT program. Check back later for more information about the Graduate Certificate in QISE.

Courses

Course 1: Introduction to Quantum Information/Quantum Computing addresses the lack of QIST training currently offered in curricula outside physics. These courses will be offered during Autumn quarter. Three different course options will be offered, given the different domain-specific backgrounds of the students and the types of different research problems.

• Introduction To Quantum Information Science And Engineering For Chemists And Materials Scientists (CHEM 561): This course targets chemistry and materials students, using familiar language and framework to explore core concepts of QIST, including computation, logic, and quantum physics. This course utilizes three hardware platforms to help students understand the core scientific concepts that govern their operation and how materials play a role: trapped ions, defects in crystals, and superconducting qubits. An introduction to sensing, communication, and computation applications is provided at the end of the course through student presentations.
• Introduction to Quantum Computing (CSE 599Q): This course is primarily targeted at CSE and computationally-oriented ECE students, providing an introduction to quantum computing and quantum algorithms. No prior knowledge of quantum mechanics is assumed. This course covers topics like the circuit model of quantum computing, query complexity, and quantum complexity theory.
• Quantum Information (PHYS 521A): Offered in physics, this course targets physics students and interested CSE and ECE majors with appropriate background in quantum mechanics. This course provides students with the background needed to understand modern quantum information hardware on both the physical and the mathematical levels by focusing on both implementations of quantum computing and quantum information theory.

Course 2: Implementations in Quantum Information (PHYS 576) brings together all students in an innovative, project-based course that highlights the challenges in implementing quantum information systems. The course combines the different skills sets to implement and characterize quantum information processing performance on IBM quantum computers using the Qiskit platform. Topics include quantum tomography, entanglement witnesses, randomized benchmarking, and quantum control. This course will be offered in Winter quarter.

Course 3: Advanced Topics in Quantum Information the third phase of the program, encompasses a range of domain-specific courses in advanced topics. Many different courses can satisfy this requirement.

Independent Research

There are three ways to satisfy the independent research requirement.

• Capstone- EE 522 Quantum Information Practicum (4 credits): This course is the primary way to fulfill the independent research requirement. Course is under development and will likely be offered by the Electrical & Computer Engineering Department. The course will be first offered Spring 2023. If a student cannot take the capstone course, they may consider one of the following options instead.
• Independent research (1-2 quarters, min 4 credits): Any faculty-led research in quantum information will be considered. The research project must be led by a faculty who is not the students’ PhD advisor, to avoid overlap with thesis work (which cannot be applied to the Certificate). The project must be approved by the Interdisciplinary Graduate QISE group. The completion of the project includes a presentation in the Fall AQET symposium with a written report of results. Submitted publication can be substituted for the written report. 
• Internship (1-2 quarters, min 4 credits): An internship directly in the QISE field. To meet the independent research component, the student must have a UW faculty co-advisor. The completion of the project includes a written report of results and a presentation in the Fall AQET symposium. A submitted publication can be substituted for the written report (if the publication is not fulfilling a requirement in the student’s primary program).

Seminar

AQET is enabled by the close relationship UW has with local industry and labs with QISE efforts. AQET will be supported by a weekly seminar series, EE 500Q, starting in Winter 2022, which will serve as a vehicle for exposure to current industry opportunities and academic research in QISE.

Professional Development Training

In addition to weekly seminars, quarterly professional development workshops provide trainees with skills in self-awareness, cultural responsiveness, implicit bias, project management, team communication and trust, scientific communication (general public, scientific presentation, scientific writing), interviewing, resume preparation, and entrepreneurship.

Application for NRT Fellowship Support

NRT 12-month fellowship support is available to students who have been newly admitted to a UW PhD program in the department of their interest — usually chemistry, computer science & engineering, electrical & computer engineering, materials science & engineering, or physics. The fellowship provides 12 months of full support during your second year in AQET.

After you have received admission to one of the AQET departments (usually January-February), you can apply for the AQET Fellowship here.

The deadline to apply for fellowship support is March 23rd, 2023. Currently, we are only accepting applications from prospective UW students who have been accepted to their department programs. Applicants will be notified on April 1st to help inform their graduate school decision. The AQET fellowship supports their 2nd year of PhD studies, when the bulk of the AQET curriculum occurs.