School of Physics
and Astronomy
FACULTY OF MATHEMATICS
AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES
MSc in Quantum
Technologies
The Course
The course has been structured to ensure
that you are able to concentrate on your
own particular areas of interest through a
range of optional module choices, which
complement a group of core modules.
As well as these taught modules the
programme provides the opportunity to
undertake a main project and two ‘miniprojects’, one in each semester, which
allow you to choose from a wide variety
of experimental and theoretical topics.
These project modules are an ideal
way of learning vital skills in a research
environment in a way that is not possible
in purely taught modules.
The mini-projects also provide the chance
to sample different areas of research to help
you decide upon a specialisation for your
final project, which is much more in-depth,
and can either be a continuation of one of
the mini-projects or an entirely different topic.
Core Modules
■ Quantum Information Science
■ Quantum Optics
■ Advanced Quantum Computation
■ Current Topics in Quantum
Technology
Optional Modules
■ Next Generation Silicon
Technologies
■ Molecular Electronics
■ Quantum Electronics and
Spintronics
■ Superconductivity
■ Quantum Transport in
Nanostructures
■ Quantum Field Theory
■ Advanced Magnetism
and Spintronics
Why Study Quantum
Technologies
at Leeds?
The course is centred in the School of
Physics and Astronomy, although some
modules are based in the computing and
engineering departments, reflecting the
highly interdisciplinary nature of the field.
The school is one of the top 5 physics
departments in the UK, according to both
the Guardian and the Times 2009 league
tables. Much of its research was classed as
‘world leading’ in the 2008 RAE (Research
Assessment Exercise) and gained a
maximum 24/24 in the Teaching
Quality Assessment.
The Quantum Information Research Group
based within the School is exploring the
symbiotic relationship between physics and
information processing and is in an ideal
position to deliver this programme, based
on their leading edge research.
You benefit from:
■ The highest standards of research
led teaching and research quality
■ Academic staff at the forefront
of their science
■ A variety of teaching and
assessment methods
■ State-of-the-art facilities housed
in high-quality laboratories
■ Hands-on experience of research
in Quantum Technologies
■ Working in an active, interdisciplinary
environment, with researchers from
physics, mathematics, computer
science and engineering backgrounds
Quantum
Physics at Leeds
Careers
The industry surrounding Quantum
Technologies is growing rapidly, and this
course is designed to give you a solid
training in the subject matter and a range
of other transferable skills, that will allow
you to work in industry, as well as an
academic research environment
The course provides a good route for
entry into further study at PhD level
and progression into research careers
with large established international
technology companies, as well as
governments, defence industries and
an expanding range of smaller specialist
high technology companies.
The state of a physical system can be
thought of as a catalogue encoding
all the information we have about
it. We measure a system in order to
obtain information about its state. The
computers we use today are governed
by Newton’s classical mechanics,
consisting of a set of engineered binary
switches which can be either ‘on’ or
‘off’. In a quantum computer the state
of sub-atomic particles, for example
the direction of spin of electrons, could
be used to represent information. The
way in which information can be stored
and processed will then be governed by
the laws of quantum mechanics, which
allow us to describe particles as being in
two states at once. A four-switch system
can represent only one of 16 on/off
combinations at any one time, whereas
four electrons could represent all of the
combinations simultaneously.
At Leeds we are examining the
theoretical foundations of quantum
physics to learn how to describe,
generate and identify the existence
of these ‘entangled’ quantum states
in nature. We are exploring the
links between quantum physics
and thermodynamics, and applying
theoretical and computational methods
in order to determine which quantum
systems (atoms, nuclei, electrons,
photons etc.) will best enable us to
achieve a greater processing power
than is theoretically allowed by existing
technology. We are also involved in
modelling experiments with active
collaborators worldwide.
MSc in Quantum
Technologies
Quantum Technologies and
Quantum Information science
are rapidly emerging fields that
are receiving a great deal of
interest in a variety of sectors.
For example, it has been shown that a
number of problems that are too hard to
solve with a standard computer become
possible using quantum techniques.
It has also been shown that quantum
mechanics can provide new types of
cryptography that are unbreakable, and
in fact are already being implemented
in some high-security systems.
This new and novel Masters programme
provides an understanding of the
fundamental theories behind different
quantum technologies and the principles
and implementations of quantum
information processing systems, which
will in turn help to meet the requirements
of manufacturers of devices which utilise
quantum mechanical effects.
What qualifications
do I need?
You should normally hold an upper second
class BSc (or equivalent) degree in physics or
physical science. Alternative qualifications will
be considered on an individual basis.
English language
requirements
If English is not your first language, you will be
required to produce evidence of a language
qualification before registration as a postgraduate
student. The University accepts IELTS or TOEFL
with the following minimum scores:
IELTS: an overall band of 6.0 with no individual
skill band below 5.5 (in the listening and reading
components) and 5.0 (in speaking and writing)
TOEFL: a score of 220 on the computer-based
version of the test (550 on the paper-based version)
with a score of 4.0 on the essay rating.
iBT TOEFL (Internet-based Test of English as
a Foreign Language): a score of 83 overall with
Listening 18; Reading 20; Speaking 20; Writing 21.
How do I apply?
You can apply online or by post.
Full details are available at:
www.leeds.ac.uk/students/apply
Alternatively you can contact the admissions office
at the address shown below for further details.
Further information
For an informal chat about the course contact:
Prof. Ben Varcoe
t: +44 (0)113 3438290
e: b.varcoe@leeds.ac.uk
Further information can be found on our website
www.physics.leeds.ac.uk
Or contact:
The Admissions Officer
MSc in Quantum Technologies
School of Physics and Astronomy
University of Leeds
Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
t: +44 (0)113 3438428
e: M.L.Jones@leeds.ac.uk
University of Leeds
Leeds, United Kingdom
LS2 9JT
Tel. 0113 243 1751
www.leeds.ac.uk
Doc No: MA61736