The Grainger College of Engineering will launch a new undergraduate minor in Quantum Information Science this fall, preparing students for a field predicted to be worth $2 trillion in the next decade. The program requires 16 eligible credit hours, with a minimum of six distinct from a student’s major or other minor, encouraging interdisciplinary study.

“Quantum is our future, and our students will be ready to face it,” said Rashid Bashir, dean of The Grainger College of Engineering. Eric Chitambar, associate director of IQUIST, emphasized the practical value, stating that companies seeking employees in quantum fields are looking for students who have a basic understanding of quantum information science principles.

Quantum Information Science Minor Curriculum Details

The new Quantum Information Science minor at the Grainger College of Engineering requires students to complete at least six credit hours in coursework outside of their primary field of study, a deliberate design choice to foster interdisciplinary thinking. This requirement ensures students explore the broader implications of quantum information science across diverse disciplines like materials science, mathematics, and computer science, rather than simply deepening expertise within their existing major.

Three suggested tracks, Engineering, Physics, and Theory and Computation, offer students pathways to tailor the minor to their specific interests and future career aspirations. The program’s structure reflects the anticipated $2 trillion value of the quantum technology field within the next decade, demanding graduates prepared for roles requiring a versatile skillset. Students can select from courses spanning Electrical and Computer Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Materials Science and Engineering to fulfill the 16 eligible credit hour requirement.

This breadth of options acknowledges that quantum information science increasingly relies on expertise from multiple engineering and computational fields, not solely physics. The minor’s development, which began in 2024, directly addresses the growing demand for a workforce capable of translating quantum research into practical applications.