Curriculum
The Master of Science in Quantum is a full-time STEM-designated 30-point program divided into two tracks:
- Engineering Track
- Physics Track
The program starts in the fall semester, and students complete the program over three semesters, generally finishing it by December of the following year.
Students are required to complete a set of core and elective courses, jointly taught by Columbia Engineering and Columbia Physics Department faculty members.
We also collaborate with the Flatiron Institute (a privately funded institute with one department devoted to quantum physics) and industry partners in the quantum space to design curricula, provide content for courses, and offer internships to students.
Please download the Quantum MS Program Checklist here.
Required Core Courses
15 credits of core courses are required for both tracks:
- COMS W4281 Introduction to Quantum Computing
- ENGI E4000 Professional Development and Leadership
- PHYS GU5081 Quantum Physics Laboratory
- PHYS GR5084 Quantum Simulation and Computing Lab
- PHYS GU4021 Quantum Mechanics I
- PHYS GR4022 Quantum Mechanics II
Electives
Students will select from a variety of approved electives from Columbia Engineering and Columbia Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. A selection of approved electives are listed below. Students consult their academic advisors to select appropriate electives to achieve their academic and professional goals.
Students must select a track: (1) Engineering Track or (2) Physics Track. Students in the Engineering Track select 15 credits from the Engineering Track electives listed below. Physics Track students select 3 credits from Physics and 12 credits from Engineering. Students can consult their academic advisors to select appropriate electives to achieve their academic and professional goals.
- APMA E4001 Principles of Applied Math
- APMA E4008 Advanced Linear Algebra
- APMA E4150 Applied Functional Analysis
- APPH E4112 Laser Physics
- APPH E4114 Quantum and Nonlinear Photonics
- APPH E6082 Solid State II
- CHEN E4880 Atomistic Simulation for Science and Engineering
- COMS W4236 Introduction to Computational Complexity
- CSEE W4824 Computer Architecture
- CSEE W6998 Formal Verification of Systems Software
- CSOR E4231 Analysis of Algorithms
- ELEN E4411 Fundamentals of Photonics
- ELEN E4730 Quantum Optimization and Quantum Machine Learning
- ELEN E6333 Semiconductor Device Physics
- ELEN E6414 Photonic Integrated Circuits
- ELEN E6717 Classical and Quantum Information Theory
- ELEN E6718 Classical and Quantum Error Correcting Codes
- ELEN E6730 Quantum Sensing Theory
- ELEN E6945 Device Nanofabrication
- MSAE E4206 Electronic and Magnetic Properties of Solids
- MECE E6137 Nanoscale Actuation and Sensing
- MECE E6720 Nano/Microscale Thermal Transport Processes
- ELEN E4998 Research (Consult your faculty advisor)
- PHYS GR6020 Frontiers of Condensed Matter
- PHYS GR6060 Atomic Physics
- PHYS GR6065 Quantum Optics
- PHYS GR6080 Scientific Computing
- PHYS GR6082 Condensed Matter Physics I
- PHYS GR6083 Condensed Matter Physics II
- PHYS GR8036 Advanced Statistical Mechanics
- PHYS GU4024 Applied Quantum Mechanics
- ELEN E4998 Research (Consult your faculty advisor)