CPSC 436Q: Quantum Computation (2025W1)

Schedule

Italicized entries are tentative.

Overview

This is an undergraduate introductory course to quantum computation but assumes no prior knowledge of quantum information. Given previous student feedback, this course aims to be less abstract and spend more time on the basics compared to its initial offering.

Tentative list of topics:

• Bits, randomized bits, and qubits
• Notation and postulates of quantum information and computation
• Quantum algorithms: Deutsch-Jozsa, Simon, Grover search, Shor factoring
• Quantum algorithmic advantages and limitations
• Quantum advantage in communication and cryptography
• Fragility of quantum information and quantum error correction
• Selected topics in advanced quantum algorithms if time allows

Project

You will work in a team of 2-3 to write an expository paper on a topic of your choice from the quantum computation and information literature. You should submit a project proposal, a project progress report, and your completed paper. A list of candidate project topics, along with some commentary, will be released in late September. The list will be a superset of the list from the initial offering of this course. (You will not be disadvantaged if you choose a topic outside this list.)

Dates and guidelines (adapted from here):

• Proposal (worth 5%, due TBC): a paragraph summarizing the topic, a timeline, and a list of selected references.
• Progress report (worth 15%, due TBC): this includes a partial draft of your final paper showing that you are making progress, a paragraph summarizing what remains to be done, and an updated timeline. The partial draft should be at most 5 pages in length excluding references.
• Final paper (worth 80%, due TBC): a paper covering your chosen topic. Original research is encouraged but not expected. Your paper should cover the topic using multiple references and not just summarize one reference. Your target audience should be your classmates. 40% of the marks will be for scientific content and the other 40% will be for presentation. The paper should be at most 12 pages in length excluding references.