Quantum Undergraduate Education and Scientific Training

Abstract

The best way to prepare undergraduates for careers in this field is still an open question. In 2016 the United States' federal government identified quantum workforce development as a priority, citing that "academic and industry representatives identify discipline-specific education as insufficient for continued progress in quantum information science." [1] More recently, the National Quantum Initiative Act was passed [2], which included the goal of creating a stronger workforce pipeline; more specifically, the goal is to "expand the number of researchers, educators, and students with training in quantum information science and technology to develop a workforce pipeline." [3] Government investments like this, as well as recent significant investments from industry in quantum information science, highlight the need for a workforce with the skills and agility to thrive in this growing field.Currently, education and workforce training in quantum information science and technology (QIST) exists primarily at the graduate and postdoctoral levels, [4] with few undergraduate efforts beginning to grow out of these. In order to meet the anticipated quantum workforce needs and to ensure that the workforce is demographically representative and inclusive to all communities, the United States must expand these efforts at the undergraduate level beyond what is occurring at larger PhD granting institutions and incorporate quantum information science into the curriculum at the nation's predominantly undergraduate institutions (PUIs). On June 3rd and 4th, 2021 the Quantum Undergraduate Education and Scientific Training (QUEST) workshop was held virtually with the goal of bringing together faculty from PUIs to learn the state of undergraduate QIST education, identify challenges associated with implementing QIST curriculum at PUIs, and to develop strategies and solutions to deal with these challenges. The first day of the workshop included three panels: 1. Establishing industry's anticipated needs This panel included Heather J. Lewandowski from the University of Colorado-Boulder and JILA, staff research scientist Daniel Sank from Google, and lead quantum technologist Isabella Bello Martinez from Booz Allen Hamilton. The goal of the panel was to inform workshop participants of what knowledge and skills are valued in the quantum industry.

Advancing Multidisciplinary STEM Education with Mathematics for Future-Ready Quantum Algorithmic Literacy

“…The majority of quantum information science and technology (QIST) teaching and training takes place at the graduate and postdoctoral levels, with only a few initiatives beginning at the undergraduate level. Expanding these efforts at the pre-tertiary school level and including quantum information science in the curriculum are essential if we are to fulfill the anticipated demand for quantum workers and ensuring that the workforce is demographically representative and includes people from all communities [21].…”

Defining the quantum workforce landscape: a review of global quantum education initiatives

“…Institutes can introduce quantum science through current STEM curricula specialized in physics, mathematics, computer science, and other disciplines. 51 The primary goals of these programs are to teach existing and recent graduates by delivering a truly multidisciplinary education, as well as to encourage individuals who are currently employed to engage in quantum education. For example, the training of engineers and programmers as quantum programming and software professionals can be accelerated in order to expedite the preparation of quantum workforce.…”

Development of an Undergraduate Quantum Engineering Degree

“…This calls for a new generation of trained engineers -expert across both traditional engineering offerings and quantum technology. Within this background, the demand for quantum engineering degrees is now palpable and several authoritative papers on the subject of how universities can best plan for the new undergraduate quantum engineering degree have recently appeared in the literature [12]- [15].…”