NYU Tandon School of Engineering is set to offer an undergraduate program in quantum technology from spring 2024, addressing a high demand for quantum-trained professionals. The quantum tech minor, developed in collaboration with AI and Quantum technology company SandboxAQ, will equip students with practical skills for the quantum industry. The curriculum was designed by NYU Tandon faculty, SandboxAQ leaders, and other NYU areas, including the Center for Quantum Information Physics. The minor requires completion of six courses, including Introduction to Quantum Science and Quantum Programming. The partnership with SandboxAQ also offers students internship opportunities in the quantum computing space.
NYU Tandon School of Engineering to Offer Quantum Tech Minor
Quantum technology, the application of quantum mechanics to create new devices and applications, has shown significant promise over the past decade. It has the potential to greatly enhance computing power, enable secure communication, and advance precision measurement. However, the demand for individuals with quantum training and expertise far exceeds availability, with research indicating only one qualified quantum candidate available for every three quantum job openings.
The quantum tech minor was developed by John Di Bartolo, chair of NYU Tandon’s Applied Physics Department, in collaboration with colleagues from NYU and professionals from the educational outreach program at SandboxAQ, an enterprise software company providing solutions at the intersection of AI and Quantum technology. The process of developing the minor began earlier this year.
Quantum Tech Minor Reflects Commitment to Future-Proof Education
The introduction of the quantum tech minor reflects NYU Tandon’s commitment to equipping students with the knowledge to find engineering solutions to problems that have yet to fully emerge. Quantum technology is still a nascent field, and the lack of available education options at the undergraduate level reflects this. However, NYU Tandon expects a surge of interest in learning these skills, similar to the trends in artificial intelligence education seen a decade ago.
In March 2023, NYU Tandon and SandboxAQ jointly organized a workshop during which faculty from Tandon and leaders from SandboxAQ began designing a curriculum that provides a practical foundation for careers in the quantum industry. The curriculum for the minor was assembled through an interdisciplinary project involving faculty and administrators from Tandon and other areas of NYU, such as the Center for Quantum Information Physics.
Quantum Tech Minor Curriculum and Course Requirements
The new quantum tech minor requires the completion of six courses. The first two — Introduction to Quantum Science and Introduction to Quantum Programming — will be offered for the first time in Spring and Fall 2024 respectively. Math Foundations for Quantum Computing and Introduction to the Physics of Quantum Computing are also required, along with two electives. All courses have prerequisite requirements.
As quantum information science matures and leads to real-world innovations and applications outside of research labs, it is necessary to equip students with formal training in experimental and theoretical quantum physics. NYU Tandon’s new quantum minor is an important contribution to this effort.
Real-World Experience and Internship Opportunities
NYU Tandon’s relationship with SandboxAQ and other companies in the quantum computing space create pathways to student internships, providing opportunities to gain real-world experience to enhance marketability post-graduation. This collaboration between the private sector and academia aims to build a strong quantum ecosystem that benefits everyone.
NYU Tandon’s Continued Innovation in Curriculum
The new quantum tech minor is the latest in a series of curriculum innovations NYU Tandon has introduced that encourage cross-departmental learning and real-world skills acquisition. The School recently debuted an Engineering Innovation minor focused on developing foundational intra and entrepreneurship skills. It also greatly expanded its Vertically Integrated Projects program in which student teams work on engineering problems over multiple years. It rolled out a flexible, fully-online, “build your own” Master of Science in Emerging Technologies that allows students to craft their own curriculums to match their professional goals. It also unveiled a doctoral track in urban science, run under the auspices of Tandon’s Center for Urban Science and Progress (CUSP), that is open to Ph.D. students in any NYU Tandon department.
“This new quantum minor reflects a deep commitment to equipping students with the knowledge to find engineering solutions to problems that have yet to even fully emerge,” said Jelena Kovačević, Dean of NYU Tandon.
“Assembling the curriculum for the minor has been a true interdisciplinary project involving faculty and administrators from Tandon and other areas of NYU, such as the Center for Quantum Information Physics, allowing us to zero in on the exact academic recipe we think best reflects state-of-the-art education in the field,” said Di Bartolo.
“The advancement and application of quantum technology rely heavily on both the availability and development of an educated workforce that will fuel technological innovation and ensure future progress,” said Dr. Marianna Bonanome, Head of Education Outreach at SandboxAQ.
“As quantum information science is maturing and leading to real-world innovations and applications outside of research labs, it is necessary to equip students with formal training in experimental and theoretical quantum physics,” said Javad Shabani, associate professor of physics at NYU and the Director of Center for Quantum Information Physics (CQIP).
Summary
NYU Tandon School of Engineering is set to become one of the few American universities offering an undergraduate program in quantum technology, a rapidly growing field where demand for skilled professionals significantly exceeds supply. The new quantum tech minor, which students can start earning credits towards from spring 2024, aims to equip students with the knowledge to find engineering solutions to emerging problems in quantum technology, a field that promises to enhance computing power, enable secure communication, and advance precision measurement.
- NYU Tandon School of Engineering is set to offer an undergraduate program in quantum technology from spring 2024, making it one of the few American universities to do so.
- The quantum tech minor is being developed in collaboration with SandboxAQ, an enterprise SaaS company specialising in AI and Quantum technology.
- The curriculum is designed to provide a practical foundation for careers in the quantum industry, a field with high employer demand and limited available talent.
- The minor requires completion of six courses, including Introduction to Quantum Science, Introduction to Quantum Programming, Math Foundations for Quantum Computing, and Introduction to the Physics of Quantum Computing.
- The program is expected to attract significant interest, similar to trends in artificial intelligence education a decade ago.
- NYU Tandon’s relationship with SandboxAQ and other companies in the quantum computing space will provide students with internship opportunities and real-world experience.
- The quantum tech minor is part of NYU Tandon’s ongoing curriculum innovations aimed at encouraging cross-departmental learning and real-world skills acquisition.
