Admissions Requirements

Master of Quantum Science and Technology

Advising

The Academic Program Director and faculty director will advise students in the program.

Areas of Study

Quantum science and technology

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

The UCLA MQST program is a one-year, full-time program that consists of ten courses (40 units), an internship, and a capstone presentation on the internship. The program is centered around hands-on research through three laboratory classes (QST 410 – 412), which introduce the students to the topics and technology of the field. These classes are completed with three theory classes (Physics 245, QST 402 – 403), which are crafted to bring students from diverse backgrounds to a working knowledge of QST topics. The students will also take two classes in programming quantum computers (CS 238 – 239) to prepare them for the workforce, as well as one approved elective in Biomathematics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Math, Physics, or Statistics & Data Science. Other elective courses may be substituted in special cases with prior approval of the Program Director.

Elective course approval (separate from the approved list of elective courses): Any course applied towards the degree must align with the technical goals of the program. Approval of an elective course is granted on a course-by-course basis after review of the syllabus. Course approval must be obtained in writing from the Program Director before the start of the quarter in which the course is being taken.

The list of approved electives is: BIOMATH 204; CHEM 115AB, 215AB, 219S, 219V; COM SCI 132, M146, 161, 259, 260B, 260C, 263, 267A; EC ENGR 100, 101B, 110, 110H, 110L, 111L, 113, 115ABC, 115AL, 121B, M146, M153, 163A, 163C, 170A, 170B, 170C, 163DA, 231E, 232E, C243A, 252; MATH 120AB, 156, 167, 226A, 210C, 226A; PHYSICS 115C, 117, 118, 123, 213ABC, 140AB, 170A, 170N, 192, 215A, 221C, 231B, 241ABC, 221ABC; STAT 202C.

Sample study plan:

Fall Quarter
Physics 245: Introduction to Quantum Computing (4 units)
CS 238: Quantum Programming (4 units)
QST 410: Lab Module 1 (4 units)*

Winter Quarter
QST 402: Introduction to Quantum Information (4 units)
CS 239: Quantum Algorithms (4 units)
QST 411: Lab Module 2 (4 units)*

Spring Quarter
QST 403: Theory of Quantum Devices (4 units)
Elective (4 units)
QST 412: Lab Module 3 (4 units)*

*The Lab Modules do not need to be taken in order and will be taught simultaneously.

Summer Quarter
QST 596: Directed Individual Studies (4 units)
or
QST 597: Research preparation for Oral Exam (4 units)

Teaching Experience

Not required

Field Experience

Not required

Capstone Plan

The requirement is met by the completion of QST 596 or QST 597. This class will begin during Summer Session A and consist of a research experience with a minimum length of 10 weeks. Students will either perform research in the group of a UCLA professor or through an improved internship at a QST-related company. During the final week of the research experience, students will present their work and be examined via an oral examination.

Successful completion of the MQST Capstone Project requires that the students participate in a QIS (quantum information science) related project in which they utilize the knowledge and skills obtained through their coursework and instructional laboratories during the academic year. It also requires that they prepare a presentation based on the work they performed for their Capstone Project and give an oral presentation to their chosen capstone committee. Upon approval of the committee and submission of their presentation to the MQST program, they pass the capstone project.

Thesis Plan

None

Time-to-Degree

From admission to award of degree: one calendar year (September-August)

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
MQST	4	4	8

Academic Disqualification and Appeal of Disqualification

University Policy

A student who fails to meet the above requirements may be recommended for academic disqualification from graduate study. A graduate student may be disqualified from continuing in the graduate program for a variety of reasons. The most common is failure to maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average (3.00) required by the Academic Senate to remain in good standing (some programs require a higher grade point average). Other examples include failure of examinations, lack of timely progress toward the degree and poor performance in core courses. Probationary students (those with cumulative grade point averages below 3.00) are subject to immediate dismissal upon the recommendation of their department. University guidelines governing academic disqualification of graduate students, including the appeal procedure, are outlined in Standards and Procedures for Graduate Study at UCLA.