The Graduate Certificate in Quantum Information Science and Engineering (QISE) is designed to train the next generation of scientists and engineers in QISE. The credentialed program trains students across various domain disciplines (Physics, Chemistry, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Computer Science & Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Math and Chemical Engineering) in the fundamentals of QISE. Students earning the certificate will be positioned to utilize knowledge from their degree program to advance the state of the field. The QISE Certificate places an emphasis on project-based assignments and creates a common language between disciplines to further collaboration and accelerate the realization of quantum-enabled technologies.
The Certificate launched in Autumn 2023. As of Fall 2025
- over 50 students have received a certificate
- over 30 students are currently completing the requirements
- over 35 students have participated in a industry-sponsored capstone
Certificates have been awarded to students in the following departments
- Chemistry
- Computer Science and Engineering
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Physics
Eligibility
UW graduate students enrolled in the day program, in good academic standing and meeting course prerequisites, are eligible for the QISE Certificate program.
Professional Master’s Program students are not eligible to pursue this certificate.
Interested and eligible students should reach out UWQIS@uw.edu for more information, and if applicable, receive enrollment next steps.
Curriculum
The Certificate requires 15 credits: a one-quarter seminar series, 3 courses (10 credits total), and an independent research/capstone.
Outlined below are the three, sequential, course requirements for students completing the Certificate:
In addition to the three courses listed above, students must complete the following:
Recommended Timeline
For maximum program benefits we recommend the following timeline.
- First year: EE 500Q QISE Seminar (Winter)
- Second year: Introductory quantum course (Fall), Implementation in QI (Winter), Capstone (Spring)
- Before degree conferral: Advanced topics course
Following this course sequence allows students to interact consistently with a multidisciplinary cohort while building strong connections and potential future collaborations.
Grading, Assessment, and Minimum Standards
Students will need to earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for the courses required for the Certificate. Additionally, students must earn a minimum 2.7 GPA for each individual course.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students demonstrate knowledge of and apply key concepts in QISE including concepts of superposition, entanglement, measurement, secure communication, and quantum gates and algorithms. Students are able to pose QISE research questions and evaluate QISE research in their respective fields. Students demonstrate the ability to work in an interdisciplinary team to tackle QISE problems.
Graduate School’s Interdisciplinary Quantum Information Science and Engineering Group
The Interdisciplinary QISE Group is the committee of faculty who oversee and administer the Graduate Certificate in QISE. The members of the committee are listed below:
- Kai-Mei Fu, Director – Physics, Electrical & Computer Engineering
- Xiaosong Li – Chemistry
- Boris Blinov – Physics
- Arka Majumdar – Physics, Electrical & Computer Engineering
- Brandi Cossairt – Chemistry
- James Lee – Computer Science & Engineering
- Sara Mouradian – Electrical & Computer Engineering
- Andrea Coladangelo – Computer Science & Engineering
- Peter Pauzauskie – Materials Science & Engineering
- Mark Rudner – Physics
The Quantum Information Science and Engineering Graduate Certificate program was established with funding support from the National Science Foundation’s Research Traineeship (NRT) Program.