Decisions and guidelines

Decision to establish the education programme

This syllabus was established by the Board of the Faculty of Science and Technology on November 23, 2021, to be applied as of July 1, 2022.

The Master Programme in Quatum Technology is established at Uppsala University according to a decision by the Vice-Chancellor on May 11, 20221, (UFV 2021/834).

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university.

Also required is:

• 75 credits in physics and engineering, of which at least 50 credits in physics including 10 credits in quantum physics;
• 40 credits in mathematics;
• 10 credits in scientific computing and computer programming, of which at least 5 credits scientific computing;

Language requirements

Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6. This requirement can be met either by achieving the required score on an internationally recognised test, or by previous upper secondary or university studies in some countries. Detailed instructions on how to provide evidence of your English proficiency are available at universityadmissions.se.

Aims

The programme offers students knowledge of how to control individual atoms, electrons, and photons. Students will acquire an understanding of quantum phenomena and their applications emerging in areas such as quantum computers, quantum simulators, quantum information, and quantum sensors.

The program also provides a broad competence in other technology areas that require quantum mechanical concepts to describe and control the interaction between the electronic, optical, and magnetic properties of matter. The education is interdisciplinary in technology and physics and gives the students an in-depth understanding of quantum effects and knowledge in technology areas within, but not limited to, optoelectronics, quantum optics, photonics, nanoelectronics, and spin electronics with applications towards precision measurements, environmental technology, medical technology, energy technology, instrumentation, and electronic technology.

The program prepares for a professional career in research and development in both industry and academia. The program also prepares for further education at the doctoral level. After the education, the student is able to independently be responsible for research, development, and investigative work within the subject area.

Learning outcomes

Objectives of the Degree

The Swedish Higher Education Act

The Swedish Higher Education Act contains provisions about the higher education institutions that are accountable to the Government.

Degree of Master (120 credits) [Masterexamen]

The Higher Education Ordinance

According to the Higher Education Ordinance the Degree of Master (120 credits) has the following learning objectives

Knowledge and understanding

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall:

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work, and
• demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in the main field of study.

Competence and skills

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall:

• demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information
• demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work
• demonstrate the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to clearly report and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
• demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.

Judgement and approach

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall:

• demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
• demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
• demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.

Layout of the programme

Description of the programme

General description

The Master programmes in Technology at Uppsala University are coherent two-year programmes with the possibility to graduate with a degree of Master of Science (60 credits) when the requirements for this degree are met. The programmes contain recommended courses of study to assure the quality of the degree, presenting students with a choice of courses closely aligned with the learning objectives of the Higher Education Ordinance. There are also designated elective courses with opportunities for specialisation through successive selections of courses. The programme ends with a degree project. Each academic year is divided into four study periods, two during the autumn semester and two during the spring semester.

Second-cycle courses involve a considerable amount of independent work and responsibility for one's own learning. This results in increased depth and complexity within the main field of study. The students also acquire the ability to communicate in English, both orally and in writing.

Description of the Master Programme in Quantum Technology at Uppsala University

As the students may have different study backgrounds, the knowledge necessary for the program and studies of quantum technology at the advanced level is ensured through a preparatory course in quantum mechanics. This course is given during the first period and also gives the students a first exposure to applications in quantum technology. In addition, a number of courses are offered during the first two periods that give the students a common foundation in central parts of the education area. During the end of the first year and the beginning of the second, courses at advanced level in optics, photonics, optoelectronics, spin-based technology, quantum information, and future quantum technology, as well as relevant modeling and characterization methods, are also given. All these courses are related to current research and development within and outside academia, as well as the degree project. Eligibility for all courses in the program is not guaranteed by the program eligibility but may depend on the content of the bachelor's degree and the student's choice of courses within the master's program. Some of the courses are co-read with other Master's or Master of Science in Engineering programmes. The final degree project can be carried out either at a university or at a company.

The programme courses

Study plan

The following in-depth levels are used for the courses in the study plan:

G1N first cycle, has only upper-secondary level entry requirements

G1F first cycle, has less than 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements

G2F first cycle, has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements

G2E first cycle, contains degree project for Bachelor degree and Bachelor of Science in Engineering

A1N second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements

A1F second cycle, has second-cycle course/s as entry requirements

A1E second cycle, contains degree project for Master degree (60 credits)

A2E second cycle, contains degree project for Master degree and Master of Science in Engineering 

The main field of study

The main field of Quantum Technology combines theoretical knowledge of the field with competence to develop new materials, new technology, and new kinds of technical systems that relate to the main field.

A course can and should be classified as belonging to the main field of Quantum Technology if it for most part deals with at least one of the following areas:

• Quantum physics for technological applications 
• Methods for development, construction, validation, or use of quantum mechanical systems of practical use to improve the living conditions of mankind. Components do not need to be physical but can take the form of e.g. quantum mechanical modeling or algorithms. 

Degree project

Common guidelines and instructions for degree projects apply to all programmes in technology at Uppsala University. Forms and instructions for students are available on the Faculty website https://www.teknat.uu.se/education/student-en/.

The master's programme in materials science is an international master's programme and in the language of instruction is English.

Degree

In order to be entitled to a Master's degree, you have to hold a Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish "Kandidatexamen", from an internationally recognised university. In the Swedish system there are two Master's degrees; Master of Arts/Science (60 credits) and Master of Arts/Science (120 credits).

Master's degree, 120 credits (Master of Science)

In order to be entitle to a Master of Science (120 credits) the following requirements have to be fulfilled: Completed courses totalling 120 credits (two years of full-time studies). Completed courses totalling 90 credits at the second cycle (advanced level), whereof at least 60 credits within the main field of study. At the most, 30 credits is allowed to be from the first cycle. Within the main field of study a degree project of 30 credits minimum, is required.

The program leads to the technology master's degree (Master of Science, 120 credits) with quantum technology as the main area.

Other directives

Admission to a later part of the programme

Admission to a later part of a Master programme in technology requires that the entry requirements for the programme are fullfilled. It also normally requires at least 15 credits from relevant second-cycle courses, in addition to a Bachelor's degree, having been approved by the time of application. Application to a later part of the programme should be submitted no later than May 1 for the autumn semester and no later than December 1 for the spring semester. 

Grading system and assessment

The form of assessment and the grading system are shown in the course syllabus. Information about exam registrations are available at the virtual learning environment (this does not apply to exams at other higher education institutions than Uppsala University). For more regulations see "Guidelines on working conditions for first- and second-cycle students at Uppsala University" UFV 2016/327.

Inclusion of course credits towards a Master of Science degree

Some courses may not be included in the same degree, due to content overlap. The course content is shown in each course syllabus and the Graduation Office decides which courses may be included in the degree.