Scale and breadth

“The scale and breadth of our quantum program allow us to reach wide-ranging populations, including undergraduates, graduates and professionals,” said Pramey Upadhyaya, associate professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “Many courses are available in one-credit increments, enabling us to quickly train a well-rounded workforce.”

Thomas Roth, assistant professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, said: “The strong partnership between the colleges of Engineering and Science continues to shape our research and curriculum developments. Under our new comprehensive quantum degrees program, students will take courses from both science and engineering perspectives. Students will participate in project-based education, pushing their learning to the next level to see how concepts in class are applied in the real world.”

“Our faculty and students are exploring nature at all length scales, including the quantum realm,” said Erica Carlson, the 150th Anniversary Professor of Physics and Astronomy. “Together, we’re pushing the boundaries of quantum science and technology from the lab to the real world. With the emergence of this new quantum industry, a quantum-aware and quantum-proficient workforce is needed.”

Quantum leadership

Purdue is eminently qualified to address this growing demand and help students seize career opportunities.

Among the university’s distinctions:

• The PQSEI is home to more than 65 faculty members with vibrant research programs in quantum computing, sensing and communications.
• Purdue is home to Microsoft Quantum Lab, West Lafayette. Microsoft Quantum employees work with Purdue faculty and utilize Purdue facilities to generate next generation quantum computing hardware.
• The university leads quantumHUB, a suite of free online educational materials to help the world learn about quantum science.
• Purdue’s Birck Nanotechnology Center is one of the nation’s most advanced academic facilities for nanotechnology research, including quantum materials development and quantum device fabrication.
• Purdue is the lead university of the National Science Foundation-backed Center for Quantum Technologies, a founding member of the Midwest Quantum Collaboratory and a member of the Chicago Quantum Exchange. 
• Purdue researchers recently demonstrated a functioning quantum network linking multiple laboratories, positioning the university alongside top quantum research institutions.
• Quantum Insider named Purdue as one of the 20 top universities for quantum computing research.
• The Quantum Photonic Integrated Design Center, a U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science-funded Energy Frontier Research Center, aims to discover, design, and realize robust many-body entangled photon and matter states.
• The study of pioneering quantum spin liquids earned Purdue scientists and Engineers a prestigious W. M. Keck Foundation Grant of $1.2 million.

What they’re saying

Industry notables and students are applauding Purdue’s comprehensive quantum degrees program initiative, anticipating its impact for industry, government and students. Here is a sampling of their comments:  

Kate Waimey Timmerman, CEO, Chicago Quantum Exchange: “Scaling a well-prepared quantum workforce is critical to our nation’s quantum leadership — and Purdue’s new quantum degree programs are a vital addition to this effort. By providing students with a clear, comprehensive pathway into quantum science and engineering, Purdue is not only expanding the talent pipeline but ensuring that the Quantum Prairie remains the premier destination for quantum innovation. This kind of dedicated educational infrastructure—coupled with Purdue's deep collaborative ties to our other member institutions like Argonne and Fermilab—is how we continue to build a fully integrated discovery-to-deployment ecosystem with the talent and resources to help our sector scale.”

Dr. Dana Anderson, Founder and Chief Science Officer, Infleqtion: "As one of the top engineering universities in the country, with pioneering quantum research pursued within its College of Science, Purdue is exceptionally well positioned to expand its emphasis on quantum technology through its new degree and certificate programs. Purdue understands that the nation’s workforce needs extend well beyond quantum information science alone to a broader range of quantum-relevant disciplines, including electrical, mechanical, materials, and aerospace engineering. I admire Purdue’s foresight and am confident that the students it trains will help shape the future of the rapidly growing quantum industry."

Dr. Chetan Nayak, CVP and Technical Fellow, Microsoft Quantum: "Talent is the biggest bottleneck for the rapid development of quantum technologies today. Workforce development to drive quantum technologies requires universities to develop new degree programs to train students in quantum-specific subjects that are needed in industry. Microsoft Quantum applauds Purdue's launch of a comprehensive degree program in Quantum. We have hired Purdue graduates at Microsoft Quantum who make critical contributions on a daily basis. Training a quantum workforce at scale is exactly what the quantum industry needs to thrive. Purdue's comprehensive quantum degrees program is an important step in this direction."

Ryan Manley, who is studying electrical engineering and is vice president of the Quantum Student Organization: “Purdue will provide the curriculum, hands-on learning opportunities and outreach efforts for students like me to become the quantum engineers and scientists of the future, equipping us for rewarding careers in the booming quantum industry.”

To learn more about the comprehensive quantum degrees program, including our new online M.S., click here.