Denmark just opened a new M.Sc. programme in Quantum Information Science
Surprising boom in number of applicants
The universities expected to have around 25 students in the first cohort, but much to their surprise, they received around 170 applications and made room for more ending up admitting 41 students to the new programme.
The applications came not only from Danish students, but also from students around the world: USA, Switzerland, India, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Ireland, Greece, Slovakia, Austria, Poland, Bangladesh, Croatia, China, and Serbia. The admitted students come from various different backgrounds with bachelor degrees in mathematics, computer science, physics, engineering physics, astrophysics, photonics, electrical engineering, nanoscience and informatics, creating an interdisciplinary dynamic in the programme.
According to Jan Philip Solovej, Professor at QMATH at Department of Mathematical Sciences University of Copenhagen, and Director of Studies for the new MSc programme in Quantum Information Science, being able to attract international students adds value.
“It is a huge plus for the programme that we create an international environment where we attract the best international talents. The international students come with very different experiences, which contributes positively to the program and creates a diverse study environment. It creates both a great deal of activity and international awareness of the Danish quantum environment. Of course, we hope that the foreign students when they graduate, will not only contribute to the Danish quantum environment, but also that they will be ambassadors for Denmark in the long term. Finally, it is very positive that we have attracted so many new students to our universities.”
Education at the forefront of the future
In more than 100 years, Denmark has been at the forefront of research within quantum technology gaining international attention with important value positions such as:
- the Niels Bohr Institute,
- DTU,
- the more recent establishment of the Novo Nordisk Foundation Quantum Computing Programme(NQCP),
- launch of part 1 of a national Danish strategy for quantum technology
- QMATH, VILLUM Centre of Excellence
- the Quantum for Life (MATH) research centre
- research project Hybrid Quantum Chemistry on Hybrid Quantum Computers (CHEM)
- and finally Denmark being chosen as a location for the NATO Centre for Quantum Technologies in Denmark, which is part of NATO’s Defense Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA).
With the new master’s degree, Denmark’s position at the forefront of quantum research and education is strengthened once again. Combining students from different backgrounds in a programme that focuses on both quantum hardware and software but also providing them with the opportunity to specialize within theoretical, experimental or technological aspects of quantum information science makes it unique.
Another important part of the programme is that close collaboration with the private sector will be part of the curriculum in order to prepare the students for the job market. After graduation, the students can look forward to contributing with their quantum knowledge with job opportunities - not only in the research field, but also in the IT industry, tech companies, consulting, pharmaceutical industry, telecommunication, banking and in start-up companies.
According to Jan Philip Solovej the programme will meet the growing demand for experts in the quantum field.
“This quantum programme will initially contribute to greater activity in the quantum field at universities. The programme will also help create visibility around the Danish quantum community and, of course, the long-term ambition is to create a strong workforce that can help meet the growing need for experts in the field of quantum information.”