I was already admitted to a PhD program, why should I apply to QPAQT?
There are many reasons to apply to QPAQT. Here are a few of them:
- Fascinating interdisciplinary curriculum probing one of the deepest technological questions of our era: how can we leverage quantum systems for new technologies in computing, communications, and sensing?
- Program perks such as conference travel budget, computer and software supplies, textbooks, and funds for activities like cleanroom training.
- Possibility to receive a QPAQT Fellowship that offers a $34k/yr stipend for your second year of grad school. The QPAQT Fellowship is more flexible than a normal research assistantship and allows you a little more independence in choosing an advisor. Also, since the stipends are paid by the program and not by individual faculty grants, it frees up a portion of your potential research advisor's individual grant funding for other items that accelerate research, such as purchases of equipment and supplies.
- Join a cohort of like-minded graduate students across disciplines (Chemistry, Engineering, Optical Science, Physics, etc.) to interact, share ideas, and learn skills like science communication and research teamwork and explore potential career paths.
I received an AMO Fellowship from the Physics PhD program, should I also apply for the QPAQT fellowship?
Yes! In addition to all the reasons stated above, unlike the AMO Fellowship, the QPAQT Fellowship isn't tied to an Assistantship and the funds are not drawn from your advisor's research grants. While you are still expected to take PHYS 650: Research course credits with a QPAQT faculty advisor, the QPAQT Fellowship gives you more independence than you might have on an Assistantship and saves your potential advisor from using their funding for an RA that can instead be used towards other research acitivities.
If I complete the QPAQT program, then what will be on my transcript after completing my PhD?
Your PhD would still be in your traditional degree program (Physics, OSE, Chemistry, or Engineering, depending on which program you applied to). If you choose to do the Graduate Certificate in Quantum Science & Technology (Quantum S&T GCERT), would be indicated by an additional annotation on your transcript, in addition to your PhD. The QPAQT curriculum is nearly the same as the Quantum S&T GCERT curriculum, so completing QPAQT would result in earning the Quantum S&T certificate. Technically you could do the certificate without joining QPAQT, but then you would not enjoy the program perks, interdisciplinary cohort, etc.
Is it possible to request a deferment of admission to QPAQT?
QPAQT doesn't have a deferment process in place at this time. If you defer admission to your UNM grad program, you are welcome to apply to QPAQT the next year.
I would like to apply to QPAQT, but I missed the application deadline. Can I apply late?
Yes. If you recently were admitted to a UNM PhD program, but didn't have a chance to apply to QPAQT before the deadline, you can still apply. Follow the same application instructions, and we will do our best to review by the end of November.
I was given an offer of admission to QPAQT, but I'm not sure what to do, any advice?
The main questions are whether the curriculum interests you and whether you hope to do your PhD research with one of the QPAQT core or affiliate faculty. If the answer is yes to both, then we highly recommend it! If the answer is no to either, then you may want to discuss further with trusted advisors.
How does QPAQT integrate with the Physics Ph.D. program?
All students in the Physics PhD program take 5 core courses and 4 elective courses prior to candidacy. If you choose to participate in QPAQT, you would use two of the electives on Quantum Optics and Principles & Platforms of Quantum Technology, and then choose whatever you want for the other two electives.
How does QPAQT integrate with the OSE Ph.D. program?
All students in the OSE PhD program take 3 core courses, 5 additional courses from a track, and an additional "Pool B" elective course. If you choose to participate in QPAQT and also do the Quantum Optics Track within OSE, you would use Quantum Optics for the Quantum Optics Track and Principles & Platforms of Quantum Technology for the Pool B elective. If you do another track within OSE, then most likely you would use Introduction to Quantum Technology for Chemists and Engineers as the Pool B elective and Principles & Platforms for Quantum Technology as an extra elective.
How does QPAQT integrate with the Chemistry Ph.D. program?
All students in the Chemistry PhD program take 4 core courses and at least 2 elective courses, all with a CHEM prefix. If you choose to participate in QPAQT, you would use the two electives on Introduction to Quantum Technology for Chemists and Engineers and Principles & Platforms for Quantum Technology, both of which are listed under the CHEM prefix.How does QPAQT integrate with the Engineering Ph.D. program?
All students in the Engineering PhD program with Computer Engineering or Electrical Emgineering concentration take at least 4 courses, of which 1 may be an elective. If you choose to participate in QPAQT, you would use Introduction to Quantum Technology for Chemists and Engineers as the elective and Principles & Platforms for Quantum Technology as a second free elective, both of which are listed under the ECE prefix.
How does QPAQT integrate with the Quantum Information concentration within the Physics Ph.D. program?
All students taking the QI concentration within the Physics PhD are required to take Introduction to Quantum Information, 2 electives from a pool, and an additional elective. Quantum Optics I and Principles & Platforms of Quantum Technology can be applied towards these electives.
I applied for QPAQT and was admitted, but I did not receive a Fellowship. What was the reason?
We only can offer a limited number of Fellowships, and they are awarded based on a number of factors including the funding source. For example, NSF requires that Fellowships funded through NSF funds must be applied to US citizens and/or Permanent Residents. We also try to spread fellowships across disciplines and aim to include as many potential faculty research advisors as possible. If you did not recieve a Fellowship it does not mean you are not an excellent, qualified student.
I decided to join QPAQT, what are my next steps?
First: make sure to reply to your QPAQT admission email confirming your decision by the April 15 deadline. After that, we will be in touch with further info in August. The program will begin with an orientation event in the Fall of your first year, and your first course will be in the Spring: a seminar series in quantum photonics and quantum technology. The full QPAQT curriculum will begin Fall of your second year.
I received a QPAQT Fellowship offer and am in the Physics Ph.D. program, what are the eligibility requirements to keep my Fellowship?
In order to continue to hold the QPAQT Fellowship, Physics Fellowship recipients must:
- pass at least 2 core courses in their first semester with a grade of B- or better.
- pass at least 2 core courses in their second semester with a grade of B- or better.
By the end of their first academic year, Physics QPAQT Fellows should have passed 4 core courses with a B- or better and received a grade of B or better in at least two of those courses. Core courses are defined in the Physics PhD Program page, currently they are Quantum Mechanics I and II (521/522), Electrodynamics (511), Statistical Mechanics (505), and Methods of Theoretical Physics (466). The purpose of this academic plan is to encourage QPAQT Fellows to finish their required coursework early so they can get involved in full-time program activities and dissertation-level research during their Fellowship period.
I received a QPAQT Fellowship offer and am in the Chemistry Ph.D. program, what are the eligibility requirements to keep my Fellowship?
In order to continue to hold the QPAQT Fellowship, Chemistry Fellowship recipients must remain in good standing with the Chemistry PhD program, which includes passing a certain number of core courses and maintaining a 3.0 GPA. Chemistry QPAQT Fellows are advised to get in touch with their QPAQT faculty advisor if they are unsure of the requirements to stay in good standing.
I received a QPAQT Fellowship offer and am in the OSE Ph.D. program, what are the eligibility requirements to keep my Fellowship?
In order to continue to hold the QPAQT Fellowship, in their first year of graduate school, OSE Fellowship recipients must pass all of the OSE core courses--Advanced Optics I (PHYS/ECE 463), Experimental Techniques of Optics (PHYS 476L/477L), and either Electrodynamics (PHYS 511) or Engineering Electromagnetics (ECE 561)-- with a grade of B or higher. In addition, OSE QPAQT Fellows must pass one of the "concentration core" courses with a grade of B or better in their first year.
I received a QPAQT Fellowship offer and am in the Engineering Ph.D. program, what are the eligibility requirements to keep my Fellowship?
In order to continue to hold the QPAQT Fellowship, Engineering Fellowship recipients must remain in good standing with the Engineering PhD program and pass 3 Engineering graduate level courses(minimum 3 credits each, as approved by advisor) with a grade of B or higher. Engineering QPAQT Fellows are advised to get in touch with their QPAQT faculty advisor if they are unsure of the requirements to stay in good standing.
I was awarded a QPAQT Fellowship. During my Fellowship stipend period, can I do research with any faculty member at UNM?
Not exactly. During their Fellowship Stipend period, QPAQT Fellows must do research (and take PHYS/CHEM/ECE 650: Research course credits) with a QPAQT Core Faculty member or a QPAQT Affiliate Faculty member. If a QPAQT Fellow would like to do research with a UNM faculty member that is not listed on the QPAQT Faculty webpage, they must contact their QPAQT advisor ahead of time to obtain approval. That faculty member would first need to become a QPAQT Affiliate Faculty and participate fully in the program, including attending the QPAQT seminars.
What courses can I take to prepare for the QPAQT core curriculum?
There are several UNM graduate courses that provide a solid foundation in quantum mechanics that we recommend:
Physics PhD students, OSE Quantum Optics concentration students, and any other students planning on taking Quantum Optics (PHYS 566) for their first QPAQT core class, are advised to take Quantum Mechanics I and II (PHYS 521/522).
Chemistry PhD students are advised to take Molecular Structure Theory (CHEM 501, sometimes informally referred to as "Quantum Chemistry").
OSE and Engineering students planning on taking Introduction to Quantum Technology for Chemists and Engineers (CHEM/ECE 573) are encouraged to take either Quantum Mechanics for Engineers (currently ECE/NSME 595, ME561) or Molecular Structure Theory (CHEM 501).
