FALL 2025


Splash Biography



IAN FERNANDES, Yale Senior studying Applied Physics & Portuguese




Major: Applied Physics & Portuguese

College/Employer: Yale

Year of Graduation: 2026

Picture of Ian Fernandes

Brief Biographical Sketch:

I am a current junior at Yale from Woodbury, Connecticut studying Applied Physics and Portuguese. My academic interests focus on quantum computing and material science, but I love exploring new and unrelated subjects: my favorite class this semester is a photography class! Outside of class, I am on Yale's Formula student team, Bulldogs Racing, where we design and build single seater race cars. I am also in a pops orchestra on campus where we play movie, video game, and other pop music arrangements.



Past Classes

  (Clicking a class title will bring you to the course's section of the corresponding course catalog)

E5240: Engineering the Digital Camera in Sprout Fall 2025 (Nov. 15 - 16, 2025)
In this course we will dive into the technology and physics behind how digital cameras work. We will cover a variety of topics including basic optics, digital sensors and signals and more in an effort to demystify the incredible science behind digital cameras. Throughout the class, we will also cover techniques for shooting photography like exposure, shutter speed and more. By the end of the lecture, the goal is for all students to have a good grasp on how a camera works and how they can use that knowledge to be a great photographer!


C5113: Introduction to Quantum Computing in Sprout Spring 2025 (Apr. 05 - 12, 2025)
In this class we will explore what makes quantum computing so special and how it can be used to beat normal computers at certain tasks. We will examine physical foundations including some information theory, qubits, superposition, quantum entanglement, and some simple example of quantum advantage. In the first class, we will introduce core concepts and notation used to describe quantum information and the ways that we can use it. We will cover quantum states, Bra-ket notation, superposition, the Bloch sphere, and entanglement. In the second class, we will shift to a more practical approach, looking at how quantum information is encoded and processed in real systems and how errors prevent us from scaling to the holy grail of 'practical' quantum computers. This class will introduce several different hardware configurations including, cold atom, trapped ion, and superconducting circuit architectures. The methods of application, and pros/cons will be discussed on a fundamental level for each system.


E5078: Motorsports Engineering in Splash Spring 2025 (Mar. 02, 2025)
In this course we will cover some basic principles and concepts essential to making race cars fast and reliable. We will cover basic racing theory, tire dynamics, suspension setup, and weight transfer. If we have time we may cover some introductory aerodynamics. The class will be centered around the design of the Yale racing team's newest formula electric vehicle with demonstrations of how designing and tuning a race car actually works.


S4986: Introduction to Quantum Computing in Splash Fall 2024 (Nov. 09, 2024)
In this class we will explore what makes quantum computing so special and how it can be used to beat out a normal computer at certain tasks. We will examine physical foundations including some information theory, qubits, superposition, quantum entanglement, and some simple example of quantum advantage. If time allows, we may also get into some different ways that quantum computers are actually made!