Interdisciplinary course offer

27.1.2022 | DIT Public Relations

In October 2021, the new interdisciplinary lecture on quantum computing started at the Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT). With this, the university is further expanding its innovative range of courses. Students from over 20 degree programmes are introduced to and trained in this key technology in a practical way.

In recent years, the topic of “Quantum Computing” has gained momentum in research and industry. “Unlike classical computers, a quantum computer does not work on the basis of binary, but quantum mechanical states,” reports Dr Patrick Glauner, Professor of Artificial Intelligence at DIT. Prof. Dr. Horst Kunhardt, Vice President Health Sciences and Campus Director of the European Campus Rottal-Inn adds: “By exploiting quantum effects, countless calculations can be solved simultaneously and thus much faster.” Classical computers, Kunhardt says, can only perform a few computations at a time. With quantum computing, however, it will be possible in the future to analyse huge amounts of data in a very short time. For climate models, for example.

Kunhardt and Glauner had already incorporated references to quantum computing into their computer science lectures in previous years. The students’ high interest in it inspired them to offer a joint specialisation lecture on quantum computing. “Quantum computing offers a multitude of possible applications in almost every industry, even explicitly beyond pure computer science,” Prof. Glauner notes and continues: “That’s why we have made the course explicitly interdisciplinary and advertised it university-wide.” As a prerequisite for participation, knowledge of higher mathematics and programming was sufficient.

About 40 students took part in the first run, among them from the degree programmes in computer sciences, business informatics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and mechatronics. One of the participants was the Finnish exchange student Teemu Heino. He is convinced by the new course offer: “In my lecture-accompanying seminar presentation, I dealt with the production of quantum computers and was able to apply my knowledge of mechanical engineering.” Rashed Al-Lahaseh, a Master’s student in Computer Science, is also enthusiastic about the new course. He took the course to understand how quantum computers can accelerate the learning process of an artificial intelligence. With the knowledge they gained in the course, they believe they are well prepared for the future. They would like to further deepen their knowledge in this key technology and use it profitably with a future employer.

More information on DIT’s degree programmes can be found at www.th-deg.de/en. If you have any questions about quantum computing, Prof. Glauner will also be happy to answer them directly at patrick.glauner@th-deg.de or +49 991 3615 453.

Bild (sigmund/unsplash): Quantum computing is still in its infancy. But specialists are already being trained and sought for its development.