Explore CU Denver's Quantum Information Technology Certificates
When James Amidei first enrolled at the University of Colorado Denver, quantum physics wasn’t part of the plan. Philosophy was. Law school, maybe. Music was always in the background. But as he puts it, “I realized I don’t really know what physics is,” and that single thought turned into a journey that led him to CU Denver’s groundbreaking Quantum Information Technology Undergraduate Certificate Program—a program at the heart of the Elevate Quantum regional initiative.
Today, Amidei is graduating with a degree in Physics, a minor in Mathematics, and a certificate in Quantum Information Technology, heading into a PhD program. His story is a powerful example of what’s possible when curiosity, perseverance, and the right environment come together.
Discovering Physics Through Philosophy
James was born and raised in the Denver metro area. He played violin from the age of three and attended a performing arts high school, once aiming to pursue a conservatory track. After some time away from school, he returned to CU Denver at age 25, initially focusing on philosophy.
“I was majoring in philosophy, and the ultimate goal was law school… but then I took this course on the philosophy of science, and we read The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas Kuhn. Kuhn was a physicist-turned-philosopher. That book really sparked something in me,” James recalls.
That spark led him to dive into physics courses, eventually switching majors. “I just immediately fell in love with it.”
Why CU Denver?
For James, CU Denver wasn’t just a convenient choice—it was the right one. Staying close to family was important, and the university’s flexible academic environment allowed him to explore new fields.
“There are a lot of really good resources here to kind of explore that,” James says. “It was actually fairly easy for me to go from taking a bunch of philosophy courses to taking calculus and then physics. There is this wonderful environment here that lets you explore your interests.”
That flexibility helped James find his place—not just as a student, but as a scientist.
Students in Quantum Information Technology lab work on capstone projects.
Diving into Quantum Information Technology
Quantum physics can be intimidating, even for experienced students. But CU Denver’s interdisciplinary Quantum Information Technology Certificates are designed to demystify the field by blending hands-on lab work with foundational theoretical training.
“I started the certificate program after hearing about it from my thesis advisor, Dr. Amy Roberts,” James says. “I was also taking a theoretical quantum class required for the major, so it was all quantum all at once. It’s really fascinating stuff.”
All courses in the certificate program cover both electrical engineering and physics—topics that fascinate James—but it was the Quantum Computing Technology course that he says was especially impactful. “I don’t think I’ve taken a more difficult class,” James admits. “But it was incredibly valuable. I’m going into a PhD program, and just from that class, I was able to understand way more of what my advisor was talking about—things like sensor equipment and circuit design.”
Building Quantum Circuits—Literally
The certificate program culminates in a capstone experience, where students apply theory in the lab. James recalls designing a pre-amplifier circuit to detect tiny signals in a noisy environment—exactly the kind of skill set he’ll use in his dark matter research.
“You kind of get this vibe that it’s significantly more creative than you would initially think,” he says. “You don’t meticulously know what it’s going to do. You hope it works. And when it actually does, it’s like—awesome. I think I understand this well enough to work with it.”
“You kind of get this vibe that it’s significantly more creative than you would initially think,” he says. “You don’t meticulously know what it’s going to do. You hope it works. And when it actually does, it’s like—awesome. I think I understand this well enough to work with it.”
Looking Ahead: PhD and Beyond
James’ academic future is bright. His research focuses on cryogenic semiconductor detectors—components used in dark matter detection—and he’ll continue this work in graduate school.
“I’ll probably have more hands-on experience with designing cryo stats and instrumentation for physics experiments,” he explains. “It’s a lot of hardware, but understanding the quantum behavior behind it is crucial.”
As for a long-term career? “The more I become familiar with the quantum industry, the more open-ended it feels. I used to think I’d go into academia, but now I’m not sure. And that’s exciting.”
How to Meet Your Moment
James Amidei’s story is proof that your path doesn't have to be linear. For CU Denver students interested in quantum information science—or any complex field—he offers these tips for success:
- Read the textbook. “Just sit down and work through it. Assign yourself extra problems. It builds your understanding like nothing else.”
- Build relationships with professors. “They’re here to help. Go to office hours. Email them. Ask about their research.”
- Get involved in research early. “There’s so much to learn that isn’t covered in class. Research fills in the gaps.”
- Push through difficult classes. “The quantum certificate classes are hard. But they’re worth it. You’ll use what you learn.”
- Explore your interests. “CU Denver lets you pivot. Use that flexibility to find what really excites you.”
Why Quantum Information Technology Matters
Quantum Information Technology isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a transformative field that’s reshaping everything from cybersecurity to energy systems. Through partnerships with Elevate Quantum and industry leaders, CU Denver is equipping students like James with skills that are in high demand.
This program is more than coursework. It’s a launchpad.
If you’re curious about how particles behave when nobody’s watching—or if you just want to be part of the future of technology—learn more about CU Denver’s Quantum Information Certificate. You just might meet your moment, too.