Course Overview
Quantum technologies are expected to be some of the most groundbreaking advancements of the twenty-first century, with the potential to change fields like secure communications, high-tech sensors, and computing. This course introduces students to the exciting world of quantum technology and its everyday applications. We’ll explore foundational concepts of quantum science—like superposition, where particles can exist in multiple states at once; entanglement, where particles are mysteriously connected; and the uncertainty principle, which explains limits to what we can know about particles. Hands-on activities will be a highlight of this course, offering students the chance to engage directly with cutting-edge materials and devices. Participants will practice the exfoliation of 2D materials, learning to peel them down to a single atomic layer—a key process in the development of quantum technology. Students will also gain practical experience with single-photon detectors, essential tools in quantum research that enable the detection of light at the smallest scales.
The course is designed to be accessible and engaging, focusing on significant ideas, hands-on activity, rather than complex mathematics. This structure ensures that students not only grasp the basics of quantum science but also feel inspired by its possibilities. By the end of this course, participants will have a solid foundation in the core principles of quantum technology and firsthand experience with practical applications. They’ll leave equipped with knowledge and excitement, ready to envision how they could contribute to the ongoing quantum revolution and the future of technology. Join us for a unique opportunity to explore how novel materials and quantum devices are changing our world—and discover where you might fit into this dynamic, transformative field.
All students who successfully complete the course will receive a Certificate of Completion and have the opportunity to request a Syracuse University noncredit transcript.
Learning Objectives
- Demonstrate the knowledge of the terminology of quantum mechanics necessary to actively support quantum research and the quantum industry.
- Describe major types of quantum technologies and their projected impact on various industrial and scientific sectors.
- Illustrate and contrast in fundamental terms the postulates of the classical physics versus those of quantum theory and their effect on the perception of the macroworld versus microworld.
- Perform simple experiments to demonstrate the practical aspects of the quantum theory of light including single photon generation, manipulation, and photodetection.
- Apply experience with exfoliating two-dimensional novel materials, including hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) and tungsten diselenide (WSe2).
Course Information
Course Prefix and Number: TBD
Format: On Campus (at Syracuse University)
Eligibility: Students must be of rising high school sophomore, junior, or senior status – or a 2025 high school graduate.
Credit: Noncredit
Grading: Pass/Fail
Cost:
- Residential: $4,295
- Commuter: $3,318
Program rates are subject to change and will be approved by the board of trustees. Discounts and scholarships are also available.
Program Information
Summer College – On Campus: Experience what college is really like: take a college-level course, live in a residence hall, have meals with friends in a dining hall, and participate in activities and events on campus.
Course Dates and Details
| Program | Course Dates | Class Time (Eastern Time) | Credit/Noncredit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer College – On Campus | 2- Week Session I: Sunday, July 6 – Friday, July 18, 2025 | MTWThF 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Noncredit |
To see if this course is ‘open,’ refer to the full course catalog.
Course Requirements
Required Supplies
Please know that any supply purchases are not included in the overall tuition fee. Students will need to budget for additional course supplies, textbooks, supply kits, etc.
A laptop is required for this course.
Typical Day
Tentative Schedule
AM Session (9:00 a.m. – Noon)
- 9 – 9:15 a.m.: Icebreaker activity such as “What do you know about quantum?” class discussion.
- 9:15 – 10:15 a.m.: Interactive lecture such as “”Basics of quantum science (superposition, entanglement, uncertainty principle)””.
- 10:15 – 10:30 a.m.: Break
- 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.: Group activity such as “How will quantum change the world?”—students discuss and present potential impacts on different industries.
- 11:30 a.m. – Noon: Recap of key concepts learned throughout the day.
(Noon – 1 p.m.: Lunch)
PM Session (1:00 PM – 4:00)
- 1 – 2:00 p.m.: Experiment showcase/visual demonstrations such as “”Secure communication over quantum link””
- 2 – 2:15 p.m.: Break
- 2:15 – 3:45 p.m.: Guided lab activity such as “”Exfoliating and examining 2D materials””.
- 3:45 – 4:00 p.m.: Recap and discussion on how these materials are used in quantum research.
When class is over, and on weekends, students can look forward to various Summer College – On Campus activities to meet and connect with other students! Check out our On Campus Experience page for more information!
Faculty Bios
Moamer Hasanovic
With over two decades of industry experience, Dr. Hasanovic has held key roles as a principal engineer in multiple organizations with research interests and expertise in RF component design and integration of RF and photonics for commercial, military, and space markets. He authored or co-authored over 30 conference and journal articles and three textbooks in electrical engineering. Dr. Hasanovic serves as the principal investigator on EdQuantum, an NSF-funded project whose goal is to develop and disseminate a three-course curriculum in quantum technologies and to raise public awareness about the transformative impact of quantum technologies on our daily lives, aiming to make this complex field more accessible to a broader audience including high school students.
Pankaj Jha
Dr. Pankaj Jha’s research focuses on developing quantum hardware using two-dimensional materials and heterostructures, III-V semiconductors, nanostructures, soft-materials, and metamaterials. His research seeks to understand fundamental characteristics of these systems and use those findings to gain control and induce novel optical, electrical, thermal, and mechanical responses in them. These responses, in turn, are leveraged to develop transformative devices and technologies for quantum information science, quantum sensing and metrology, nanophotonics, optoelectronics, and space exploration applications. His interdisciplinary research crosses the conventional scientific boundaries to merge applied physics with electrical engineering, materials science, and mechanical engineering.