Which Degree Best Prepares for a Career in Quantum Computing?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Maxwell
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Choice
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the best academic path for entering the field of quantum computing. The individual is currently a sophomore in electrical engineering with a minor in computer science and is considering graduate school. They seek advice on whether to continue with electrical engineering, switch to computer engineering, or pursue a physics degree. Responses suggest that the ideal degree depends on the desired focus within quantum computing: for theoretical work, a mathematics degree is recommended, while for technical roles, physics or electrical engineering is preferred, with a lean towards physics. Concentrating in quantum computing within an electrical engineering program is also suggested as a viable option.
Maxwell
Messages
511
Reaction score
0
I posted this in the EE forum, but it got very few responses (read: none). So I have decided to post it here, since this is the forum for this type of post, anyway.

Here it is:

Right now, I am a sophomore in the electrical engineering program. I am also pursuing a computer science minor, in which I need 3 more classes.

My question is, what would be the best degree to have to get into the field of quantum computing?

My school also offers a Computer Engineering degree. The reason why I chose EE/CS over CoE is because 1) an EE degree looks better; and 2) because the EE degree looked more rigorous. And since I'm getting a CS minor, I'm pretty much taking the same exact classes a CoE would take, with a couple of extras.

I'm positive that I will be attending grad school after I get my bachelors, so maybe I would be able to specialize then. I'm not sure which degree would be best.

I have even thought about getting a physics degree, but I really love engineering.

Thanks.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Maxwell said:
My question is, what would be the best degree to have to get into the field of quantum computing?

That depends... I would say if you want to work on theoretical aspects of quantum computing (algorithms and general theory) it would be mathematics. If you are interested in the technical aspects then it would be physics or electrical engineering although I would lean towards physics.
 
You could take Electrical Engineering and concentrate in Quantum Computing.
 
Hey, I am Andreas from Germany. I am currently 35 years old and I want to relearn math and physics. This is not one of these regular questions when it comes to this matter. So... I am very realistic about it. I know that there are severe contraints when it comes to selfstudy compared to a regular school and/or university (structure, peers, teachers, learning groups, tests, access to papers and so on) . I will never get a job in this field and I will never be taken serious by "real"...
TL;DR Summary: I want to do a PhD in applied math but I hate group theory, is this a big problem? Hello, I am a second-year math and physics double major with a minor in data science. I just finished group theory (today actually), and it was my least favorite class in all of university so far. It doesn't interest me, and I am also very bad at it compared to other math courses I have done. The other courses I have done are calculus I-III, ODEs, Linear Algebra, and Prob/Stats. Is it a...
Back
Top