Quantum computing is an evolving field that applies quantum mechanics to solve complex computational problems. These problems are deep numeric and systemic problems that are found in almost all areas of life. Consider communication, for example, its applications cut across fibre optics, point-to-point network systems, internet, satellite, and so on. 

Top skills or courses required for quantum computing

All of these systems generate data that travel globally enabling global connectivity. With the amount of data generated, traditional systems are struggling to keep up with the processing of these data at scale leading to latency in network communications as they compute this data sequentially in the forms of bits (0s and 1s). 

However, quantum computing operates as qubits representing both 0s and 1s at the same time. This leads to solving computations at exponential speed although currently at a small scale due to high noise and error correction rates. Still, the potential for quantum computing is great and needs people with the right skills to work in the field.

The following skills/courses will position you to either get a job or build a solution in quantum computing:

• Mathematics (Linear Algebra)

Mathematics is the bedrock of all computations and linear algebra is the language of quantum computing since the calculations of qubit placements are vector representations of 0s and/or 1s. While you may not need it to implement or write quantum programs, it is widely used to describe qubit states, quantum operations, and to predict what a quantum computer does in response to a sequence of instructions.

• Physics

For everything that exists in life, there is a base. The same is true for quantum computing. Quantum computing exists because of quantum theory which is a big part of Physics. It attempts to understand the behaviour of the physical universe at sub-atomic levels known as photons (the tiniest particle of light emission). 

At this level, particles behave as waves and waves as particles proving the wave-particle duality of matter. Also, matter is categorised in energy levels moving from one level to another depending on the excitation state of that matter. 

This duality of matter is what is expressed in quantum computing as entangled states and having superpositions where the photons can be expressed as either 0 or 1 or both. Knowledge of quantum physics helps us understand the theory behind quantum computing.

• Computer Science

Quantum computing embeds computer science with other physical sciences to solve complex computational problems expressed as data. Understanding computer science gives you knowledge of the behaviours of computers and this is useful in the development of quantum computers. The combination of hardware and software is what makes up a quantum computer and this positions computer scientists as people who can venture into the field of quantum computing.

• Computer Programming

Computer programming is generally the science of writing algorithms to solve specific problems. In quantum computing, programming is also required to solve mathematical problems as it relates to the encryption, secure transmission, compression, storage, and retrieval of quantum information. Classical programming languages have been used to write code for quantum computing but the major difference occurs at compilation and execution times.

• Software Development

Software development refers to building software applications that run on quantum computers. It involves understanding how to write computer programs and applying that in developing web or desktop applications that enable quantum computers to function properly. This is a major skill in quantum computing and with knowledge of software development, transitioning to quantum computing can be easy.

• Chemistry

According to Wikipedia, quantum computational chemistry is an emerging field that utilizes quantum computing to simulate chemical systems. Although quantum mechanics is fundamental to understanding chemical behaviours, traditional computational methods encounter significant challenges due to the complexity and computational intensity of quantum mechanical equations. This complexity stems from the exponential growth of a quantum system's wave function with each additional particle, rendering exact simulations on classical computers inefficient.

• Commercial Skills

Last at the bottom of the list but soon to be the most important in our view is the commercial skills required to sell and deploy Quantum Tech, more and more companies are now racing to commercialise their offer as pressure is applied for investment returns from the various backers. If you have commercial skills and love science then these will be highly sought after in the next two to three years as quantum companies fight to make themselves profitable and commercially viable on the market.