The University of Queensland is offering an exciting new quantum technology program, as Microsoft, Google, IBM and other companies clamber for qualified talent.
UQ’s Master of Quantum Technology will enrol students from Semester 2 (July) this year, preparing them for highly-skilled, highly-paid positions.
Professor Tom Stace from UQ’s School of Mathematics and Physics said the introduction of the course was timely, given quantum physics had grown from an almost exclusively university-based field, to a booming commercial industry.
“It’s exploding, with global investment creating openings for an estimated 20,000 specialists in the quantum field, with a shortage of talent not only in Australia, but worldwide,” he said.
“Quantum technologies are finding applications in cryptography, chemistry simulation in medical and industrial processes, and the development of more accurate sensors for detection and measurement.
“The field is deeply fascinating, and understanding in this area will be increasingly important as a technological foundation for new professionals.”
The program will combine lecture-based theory with research projects in leading experimental labs, with an emphasis on high-tech experiments with cryogenics, superconductors, quantum gases, quantum optics and quantum optomechanics.
Professor Stace said the program would equip students to make their mark in the 21stcentury field.
“The Master of Quantum Technology is ideal for people who have trained in engineering, IT or other technical disciplines looking to utilise their skills in a new industry,” he said.
“Graduating students will be attractive to an international market, including both Fortune 100 companies and quantum technology start-ups.
“And governments are also supporting quantum technology in a big way, with the US White House recently announcing its National Strategic Overview for Quantum Information Science.”
Professor Stace said UQ is internationally recognised for quantum science research, having played a key role in important quantum discoveries.
“The first ‘quantum gate’ was proposed here in the late 1980s,” he said.
“We’ve attracted huge investment over the past 25 years, and have completed great research with it.
“The amount of funding UQ has received for quantum science, including through the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQuS) and the Australian Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Quantum Technology (CQC2T), is approaching $100 million.
“It just shows that UQ is the perfect place to learn about our quantum future, and we’re busy preparing our students with these highly sought after skills.
“We can only dream of what they might help build, helping create a better future for us all.”
For more information about the new program, visit UQ’s Future Students page.
Media: Professor Tom Stace, stace@physics.uq.edu.au, +61 7 3365 1868; Dominic Jarvis, dominic.jarvis@uq.edu.au, +61 413 334 924.
