QuISU is a self-contained program
for rising college seniors providing an introduction to quantum
information science. No prior knowledge of quantum mechanics
is required. |
Modern
information technology is an engineering success built on the foundations
of physical switching and signaling devices, algorithms, information,
and control. Quantum information processing is a novel field whose
foundations lie at the most fundamental physical level. Here, the
strange and counterintuitive features of quantum mechanics — "quantum
weirdness" like superposition and entanglement — can be used to perform
computation and communication in ways that classical systems cannot.
Already there has been a tremendous new influx of ideas from quantum
physics, resulting in high performance quantum algorithms, emerging
new capabilities for information transmission, and a nascent generation
of quantum information processing devices. Moreover, there is widespread
understanding that these fundamental ideas will lead to useful new
information technology, and provide computing, communication, and
control systems beyond the limits of traditional paradigms, carrying
with them profound social implications.
At present, the first generation of quantum information researchers
is distributed, worldwide, across many disciplines: physics, electrical
engineering, computer science, mathematics, chemistry,… These pioneers
entered the field through many educational pathways, none of which
provided the broad preparation and practical perspective that will
be needed to realize the reliable, distributed, large-scale quantum
computing systems which will usefully implement quantum algorithms
and communication protocols. Funded by the National Science Foundation
under its Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship
(IGERT) Program, the fourteen MIT faculty — drawn from seven academic
departments — who are actively engaged in quantum information research
have banded together to create a graduate curriculum in quantum information
science and engineering. Their new program, Interdisciplinary Quantum
Information Science and Engineering (iQuISE), is aimed at producing
the next generation of quantum information scientists and engineers.
The iQuISE program is now soliciting graduate students through regular
departmental procedures for fall 2011 admission.
Because many talented undergraduates may not be aware of the opportunities
afforded by being in the vanguard of quantum information science
and engineering, MIT will offer a special summer program Quantum
Information Science for Undergraduates (QuISU) from June 13th through
June 17th 2011. QuISU is for rising seniors (i.e., undergraduates
about to enter their senior year) majoring in physics, computer science,
engineering, or mathematics, who seek a basic knowledge of quantum
information processing. The course is self-contained, assuming only
a very basic knowledge of probability and linear algebra. The principal
faculty will be Professor
Isaac L. Chuang, co-author of the definitive
textbook Quantum Computation and Quantum Information, Professor
Seth Lloyd, who created the design for the first workable quantum
computer, Professor
Jeffrey H. Shapiro, who has pioneered the use of nonclassical
light sources for communication and sensing, and
Professor
Scott Aaronson whose research
interests center around fundamental limits on what can efficiently
be computed in the physical world. In addition to classroom
instruction, students will have laboratory tours, interact with MIT
graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and other faculty who work
on quantum information processing.
The QuISU program can accommodate 20 students. Preference will be
given to students with US citizenship. The program will cover all
tuition costs for participants. Students from outside the Boston
area will be housed in MIT dormitories. Women and underrepresented
minorities are particularly encouraged to apply, and special funds
are available to cover the travel and living expenses of such applicants.
If you wish to avail yourself of this special support, please identify
yourself as a woman or underrepresented minority in your application.
To apply for admission into the QuISU program, please send an email
to QuISU@rle.mit.edu containing the following files in PDF format:
a cover letter stating your interest in the program and, if appropriate,
your qualification for special funding for travel and living expenses;
a completed application form; a curriculum vitae, including a list
of relevant subjects that you have taken in science and engineering;
and a letter of recommendation from a faculty member at your home
institution. Applications must be received by February 15, 2011.
Admission decisions will be sent out by email on or before March
15, 2011.
DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE AND APPLICATION |