The CITY COLLEGE OF NEW YORK

The second quantum revolution is happening today and with it comes huge advancements in cryptography, communications, energy efficiency, sensors, and computation among others.  But the improvements we’re beginning to see aren’t simply upgrades to what already exists; the new quantum technologies require completely new techniques, algorithms, materials, and even ways of thinking. And that means that to educate the next generation, our schools need to have completely new courses, labs, and curricula.

CCNY was the first university in the NYC area to offer classes on quantum computation decades ago, and that tradition is alive and well at CCNY once again.  In 2020 a new quantum computation course was introduced and in 2023 a first of its kind undergraduate quantum teaching lab was opened to students.  Combined, students get a first hand experience of all of the fundamentals of quantum theory (like superposition, entanglement, and quantum measurement) even as they learn to apply them to the newest techniques and algorithms (like quantum teleportation or Shor’s factoring algorithm).

CCNY researchers are deeply engaged in the Quantum Information Science and Engineering program, working across various research areas that span both software and hardware levels. Their efforts aim to enable large-scale quantum applications while addressing the security challenges posed by this new technology. Our partnerships extend to a wide range of federal agencies, including the Department of Energy, reflecting the collaborative effort needed to advance the field and tackle the complex issues associated with quantum technologies.

As the technologies of the second quantum revolution have rapidly become cheaper and more powerful, the demand for experts in industry has far exceeded the capacity the number of quantum-ready students graduating from our institutions. So today CCNY and its partners are building a bridge from high school to research and industry, making them far more accessible to students interested in pursuing quantum information sciences.