8/24/2026
The undergraduate degree, available Fall 2026, is designed to provide students with a strong foundation for advancing their careers in Quantum Information Science (QIS), whether they choose to pursue a graduate degree or join the rapidly growing QIS workforce after graduation. The market is predicted to be worth $2 trillion in the next decade.
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The undergraduate degree, available Fall 2026, is designed to provide students with a strong foundation for advancing their careers in Quantum Information Science (QIS), whether they choose to pursue a graduate degree or join the rapidly growing QIS workforce after graduation.
Written by Lauren Laws
First was the industrial revolution, ushering in the power of steam and mechanization. Then there was electricity, gas engines, cars, telecommunications, transistors and more. Now, the world is in the beginning stages of a new revolution with Quantum Information Science.
A new minor from The Grainger College of Engineering is ensuring a quantum-ready workforce is prepared to help lead it.
The undergraduate minor in Quantum Information Science (QIS) is designed to provide students with a multidisciplinary understanding of QIS from core principles to cutting-edge applications. It’s the latest commitment from Illinois Grainger Engineering as a leader in quantum research and development. The college is already home to the Illinois Quantum Information Science and Technology Center (IQUIST), the U.S. National Science Foundation Quantum Leap Challenge Institute for Hybrid Quantum Architectures and Networks (NSF HQAN) and is serving in a leadership role at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park in Chicago.
“Illinois has a legacy of both excellence and innovation,” said Rashid Bashir, dean of The Grainger College of Engineering. “This minor not only builds upon that, but it also reinforces our commitment to empower our students to be tomorrow’s leaders. Quantum is our future, and our students will be ready to face it.”
The program has been in development since 2024 in response to advances in quantum technology and the increasing demand for a quantum-skilled workforce across both academia and industry. The market generated more than $1 billion in revenue worldwide in 2025, with a $2 trillion worth predicted within the next decade.
Learn More about the QIS Minor
“Establishing an ecosystem for this emerging technology is a high priority, both in the U.S. government and the State of Illinois,” said Eric Chitambar, associate director of IQUIST. “This minor directly supports that goal by preparing the next generation of quantum-literate scientists and engineers through a dedicated interdisciplinary educational program.”
The minor has a list of core and elective courses students can choose from that cover the subjects of quantum computing and communications including quantum mechanics, quantum algorithms, quantum information theory, quantum photonics and materials, and quantum devices. The courses are drawn from several academic departments: Electrical and Computer Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Materials Science and Engineering.
Even though students are free to choose which core and elective courses to take, the minor has three suggested tracks based on major or specific interest: Engineering, Physics, and Theory and Computation. The curriculum is designed to provide not only a QIS foundation, but also an introduction to the cutting edge of the field.
“Companies in the quantum workforce are looking for students who have a basic understanding of QIS principles,” said Chitambar. “This experience will strengthen a student's competitiveness for employment and graduate study opportunities.”