This course will introduce the field of quantum computing, giving students a solid
basis for further research in the field. The goals of the course are to provide a
foundation for studying the growing field of quantum computation, to give an
idea why people are very excited about it, and to show that it is not as mysterious
as it at first seems and that it is not a panacea but yet another interesting
approach to problem solving. Topics will include fundamental concepts, elements of
quantum computing, quantum algorithms, quantum automata and complexity and other topics
of interest as time allows.
Text
The text for the class is Principles of Quantum Computation and Information
by Giuliano Benenti, Giulio Casati and Giuliano Strini.
We will cover many of the chapters as they apply to the schedule of topics. You are responsible for reading the
material for a given day prior to that day's lecture. Because class time is limited, we may not cover
everything in the text. However, except where specifically noted otherwise, you are responsible for the
entire text. In addition, we will be reading several current papers in the field. When applicable (and I will make
sure you know), you are also responsible for reading these prior to when we will be discussing them in class.
Project
A major part of this course will involve your development of a class project. This will involve significant outside
study and preparation on your part and will consist of both a written paper and an oral presentation to the class.
Ideally, the paper can evolve into a publishable paper and the oral presentation will give you some experience
in presenting your research before peers. We will discuss details and possible topics and approaches early in the
semester, and since this a major project that will be due near the end of the semester, you will have to start on
it well before we have covered some of the material in class. This facilitates your learning to perform research
on your own. An example of an acceptable project is to thoroughly research and present an overview of a topic
we do not cover in class. An example of a better project is to attempt some modification, extension or
improvement to existing work. The best type of project involves your best efforts at producing some novel results
(new algorithm, computational bounds, proposals for implementation, insight into the differences between classical
and quantum computation, etc.)
As a preliminary step in this process, everyone will take a turn making a 5-10 minute presentation to the class on
the main points of an article from the current literature that deals with a topic of interest. We will have one
presentation per day during the middle half of the semester. Please check with me in advance to clear your topic.
Tests
There will be one mid-term (administered in the testing center) and one final (administered in class). These tests
will be timed, you will be allowed one page of notes, and each will account for 20% of the final grade. Explicitly, the final will only
deal with material not covered on the midterm; however, it will be implicitly comprehensive in that it will assume you
understand the material covered throughout the course.
Grading
Grading will be on a weighted curve. An approximate breakdown is as follows:
Homework 10%
Project 45%
Midterm 20%
Final 20%
Attendance and Participation 5%
Although your final class grade will not be available until the end of the
term, a cumulative point total will be
available on line and will be updated as appropriate. You should
check this periodically to ensure that my records are in accordance with
the work you have done.
Late Policy
Late assignments will be penalized 10% per day late, not counting Sundays.
However, if you have a good excuse (i.e. something different from your
fellow students) just come and talk to me about it (before hand, if at all
possible), and you will not be penalized. Of course, nothing will be
accepted after the last day of class.
Working Together
You may work together with other members of the class; however, do NOT turn in other people's
work. This is a fine line that may require some judgment on your part. Examples of acceptable
collaboration: discussing homework problems and solutions with others in the class; posting questions
and/or answers to the class newsgroup; bouncing project ideas off classmates. Unacceptable
collaboration would be simply copying homework answers from a friend; allowing someone else to
copy homework answers; plagiarism while writing your project paper. Academic dishonesty will be
grounds for failure of the course; however, I do not anticipate that we will have any questions or
problems in this area.
Miscellaneous
Appealing grades on assignments and on tests begins with you. Make an effort to understand why
you received the score that you did and make sure that you have a good reason to appeal. If after
making these efforts, you still feel like you have a problem, come see me.
Make sure you have done the reading and tried to understand on your own before you ask questions.
If you do not, it is usually readily apparent. This can lead to crankiness, and crankiness never was
happiness. When you don't understand something, ask; there are no dumb questions -- unless you
haven't done your reading.
Class attendance and participation is expected (note that 5% of your grade is based upon it). This
is not because I feel the need to have students in class; instead, it is because your attendance and
participation guarantee you a better learning experience.
Remember, this is a graduate course -- that means more freedom, more fun and more responsibility.