QCS - Orientation Year 2

1 EC

Semester 2, period 4, 5

53942QOY1Y

Owner Master Quantum Computer Science
Coordinator drs. A.L. van Pappelendam
Part of Master Quantum Computer Science,

Course manual 2025/2026

Course content

In Year 2 of the MSc Quantum Computer Science programme, you will work on your compulsory Master Thesis & Seminar Research Project (30 EC) and have a number of additional study-related options available to you. These options are: an extended master thesis (18 EC), an internship, extra restricted-choice courses or electives.

To help you prepare for the decisions you will need to make regarding your second year of study, this course will have students looking into the various pathways that may interest them as future quantum computer scientists. You will reflect on your personal learning goals, fields of interests and professional ambitions throughout the course and submit a final proposal specifying your study-related choices and the corresponding timeline.

You will be supported in finding thesis projects that align with your curiosities and ambitions in study and career. 

Study materials

Other

  • Canvas 

Objectives

  • Reflect on your personal learning objectives, fields of interest and professional ambitions in order to make informed choices on how you will utilise the remainder of your studies.

Teaching methods

  • Self-study
  • Seminar
  • Presentation/symposium


Self-study

Self-study will allow you to reflect on the information acquired and provided throughout the course in the pursuit of a study plan proposal for Year 2. 

Seminars

One plenary session will be geared towards introducing you to the course objectives and activities.

Presentation
You will work independently on preparing short 'Orientation Talks' (10-15 minutes) on topics and questions that are relevant to study and career options for future quantum computer scientists. These talks will be given amongst fellow students during four seminars, so-called 'Peer Tutorials', and are intended to be informative as well as nudge students to reflect on their personal learning goals, curiosities and ambitions. 

Learning activities

Activity

Hours

 

Actively participate in the plenary session

2

 

Actively participate in four Peer Tutorials

8

 

Prepare for own Orientation Talks

2

 

Reflect on fellow students' Orientation Talks

2

 

Actively participate in Career Orientation Sessions with guest speakers

6

 

Prepare for and draft a Year 2 Study Plan Proposal, including consultation, reflection, and research required to develop the plan

8

 

Total

28

(1 EC x 28 hours)

Attendance

Additional requirements for this course:

If you cannot participate in one or more plenary sessions or Peer Tutorials due to timetable clashes or comparable circumstances, you are required to inform the course coordinator at the start of the course. 

If you are not able to participate in a plenary session or Peer Tutorial due to illness or comparable circumstances, you are required to inform the course coordinator beforehand. 

Assessment

Item and weight Details

Final grade

This is a pass/fail course.

Course activities in orientation and reflection require active participation from all students. Therefore, your final result is based on your participation during the plenary session and Peer Tutorials and the effort you put into your assignments. 

Inspection of assessed work

The assessed components of the course require active participation from all students. If you do not pass a particular component, an appropriate solution or repair will be agreed on with the course coordinator. 

Several assessed components are provided with either written or in-class feedback. 

Assignments

You will pass the course, if your participation meets the following requirements: 

  • Actively participated in the plenary session (February)
  • Actively participated in Peer Tutorials (March-May)
  • Presented well-prepared Orientation Talks (March-May)
  • Submitted reflections on Orientation Talks presented by fellow students (March-May)
  • Submitted Study Plan Proposal Year 2 (May)

Please check the course page in Canvas for further details. 

Responsible use of generative AI in education
In this course, you may use generative AI tools (such as UvA AI Chat) to support your learning process, for example to explore ideas or clarify topics. 

However, you should remain the primary author of all work that you present and submit for this course. Your individual assignments must reflect your own knowledge, skills, and effort.

If you use AI to support your learning process, you must clearly acknowledge this. Transparency about AI use is mandatory. Submitting AI-generated text or content as your own work is not permitted and is considered a breach of academic integrity.

Please also note that the use of AI may be regulated differently in other courses, for example, AI use may be entirely prohibited in some courses.

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

Course structure

Please check the course page in Canvas for further details. 

Contact information

Coordinator

  • drs. A.L. van Pappelendam