Building an Undergraduate Laboratory Course in Quantum Technology

University of Massachusetts Boston (UMB) recently launched a four-course undergraduate Quantum Information Certificate program for students from across disciplines and industry professionals interested in learning about quantum information science (QIS). We are redesigning the fourth course in this sequence as laboratory course in superconducting quantum technology, making use of our existing on-campus nanotechnology makerspace and our new dilution refrigerator measurement system for quantum device characterization. This course is unique in that it will provide undergraduate students access to equipment that in other QIS education programs is generally reserved for graduate or faculty research.

Additionally, as UMB is a minority serving institution, we are planning a small-scale qualitative research study to better understand of the needs and requirements of developing an undergraduate quantum technology laboratory course that attracts, supports, and inspires diverse undergraduate students—a group historically lacking access to quantum education and laboratory experiences.

This poster will present our plans for the research and development of this spring 2024 course that will offer hands-on training in quantum device fabrication and characterization equitably at the undergraduate level.