351Outline
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Course Syllabus
CP/PC 351: Quantum Computing
Department of Physics and Computer Science, Faculty of Science, Waterloo
Fall | 2021
Instructor Information
Dr. Shohini Ghose
Contact Information:
www.wlu.ca/science/sghose
Virtual office hours on Zoom: Mondays, Wednesdays 2:30 – 3:50 pm ET, starting on Sep 15
(Zoom link will be posted on MLS)
Course Information
CP/PC 351: Quantum Computing
Prerequisites : MA122 and registration status: Year 3 or Year 4, majoring in physics, computer
science, mathematics or chemistry
Exclusions: CP310A, PC310A
This course will be taught entirely online.
I realize how challenging the current situation is for everyone (including me). I will do my best
to make the course as stress free and enjoyable as possible. Although we will not meet in
person, your feedback and questions are always welcome. You can contact me via email or
drop in during virtual office hours – even if it is just to say hello.
Course Overview and Approach
What it’s all about: Quantum computing offers the possibility of dramatic advances in
computational power compared to the best computers we have today. In addition, novel
quantum protocols such as teleportation and unconditionally secure communication have
already been demonstrated. This course provides an introduction to this exciting and cutting-
edge field. Topics include an overview of quantum theory, quantum algorithms, teleportation,
secure quantum communication, error correction and the latest state-of-the-art experiments.
No prior knowledge of quantum mechanics is required.
Mathematical tools we will use: Linear algebra including vectors, matrices, complex numbers,
basic trigonometry, spherical coordinates. I will try to include a brief review as required during
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the course, but I strongly encourage you to review these topics using your own previous lecture
notes and textbooks.
Topics we will tackle:
• Introduction to quantum logic and quantum information
• Quantum teleportation
• Simple quantum algorithms
• Quantum factoring
• Grover’s search algorithm
• Quantum cryptography
• Quantum error correction
Course Tools and Learning Materials
• Textbook: D. Mermin, Quantum Computer Science, Cambridge University Press. The
textbook is for you to use as a reference. I will not be following it exactly in my lectures.
You are also welcome to use other textbooks or resources you may find to supplement
the course lectures.
Note: Audio or video recording and/or broadcasting of the lectures and other course
materials is not permitted without prior approval of the instructor.
All information about the course will be available on Laurier MyLearningSpace (MLS).
Lectures will be asynchronous and all materials will be posted online on MLS.
Virtual office hours will be held via Zoom during the regular lecture times: MW 2:30 – 3:50.
This time will be used to answer your questions about the lectures and the course topics in
general. Attendance is optional.
Student Learning and Evaluation
Assessment Weighting Date
5 group assignments 12% each Assignment 1: Due Sep 29
Assignment 2: Due Oct 20
Assignment 3: Due Nov 3
Assignment 4: Due Nov 17
Assignment 5: Due Dec 1
Final Project (individual) 40% Due Dec 15. Further details will be posted on
MLS
• You will work in groups of 3 or 4 on your assignments. This is to help you to connect
with classmates, provide support to each other with the course content, and avoid being
isolated during these difficult times. Group assignments have typically worked well for
students in this course in previous years. However, if you have concerns about this,
please do contact me as soon as possible.
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• You can select your group members yourself and stay with the same group throughout
the term. If you would like assistance with finding group members, I am happy to assign
you to a group.
• Please email me by September 20 with the names of your group members. If I do not
hear from you, I will assign you to a group. You will receive an email with your group
members’ names and contacts by September 22.
• Each group will submit a single joint solution for each assignment problem. I encourage
you to work through the lectures together as a group and try to answer any questions
you may have as a group before consulting me.
• Late assignments will not be accepted without medical or other supporting
documentation.
• Your final project will be an individual paper on a topic related to the course content.
This is not a group assignment, although you can consult with your group members
about the topic. Further details about the final project will be posted to MLS as a
separate document.
University and Course Policies
1. The educational materials developed for this course, including, but not limited to,
lecture notes and slides, handout materials, examinations and assignments, and any
materials posted to MyLearningSpace, are the intellectual property of the course
instructor. These materials have been developed for student use only and they are not
intended for wider dissemination and/or communication outside of a given course.
Posting or providing unauthorized audio, video, or textual material of lecture content to
third-party websites violates an instructor’s intellectual property rights, and the
Canadian Copyright Act. Recording lectures in any way is prohibited in this course
unless specific permission has been granted by the instructor. Failure to follow these
instructions may be in contravention of the university’s Code of Student Conduct and/or
Code of Academic Conduct, and will result in appropriate penalties. Participation in this
course constitutes an agreement by all parties to abide by the relevant University
Policies, and to respect the intellectual property of others during and after their
association with Wilfrid Laurier University.
2. Academic Calendars: Students are encouraged to review the Academic Calendar for
information regarding all important dates, deadlines, and services available on campus.
3. Special Needs: Students with disabilities or special needs are advised to contact
Laurier’s Accessible Learning Centre for information regarding its services and resources.
4. Plagiarism: Wilfrid Laurier University uses software that can check for plagiarism. If
requested to do so by the instructor, students are required to submit their written work
in electronic form and have it checked for plagiarism.
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5. Academic Integrity: Laurier is committed to a culture of integrity within and beyond the
classroom. This culture values trustworthiness (i.e., honesty, integrity, reliability),
fairness, caring, respect, responsibility and citizenship. Together, we have a shared
responsibility to uphold this culture in our academic and nonacademic behaviour. The
University has a defined policy with respect to academic misconduct. As a Laurier
student you are responsible for familiarizing yourself with this policy and the
accompanying penalty guidelines, some of which may appear on your transcript if there
is a finding of misconduct. The relevant policy can be found at Laurier’s academic
integrity website along with resources to educate and support you in upholding a
culture of integrity. Ignorance is not a defense.
6. Classroom Use of Electronic Devices: Students are encouraged to make informed
decisions regarding technology use during class and assessment. Some devices are
distracting during learning and can disrupt the learning of others. Off-task use of
technology (e.g., communicating with friends or family; using social networking sites;
playing games; accessing the internet on websites that do not relate to the course;
reading an electronic book that is not related to the course; playing music or video, etc.)
during instruction which are distracting to self or others are prohibited. If your use of
technology is disruptive to the class, you may be asked to leave the lecture. For more
information see Policy 9.3
7. Final Examinations: Students are strongly urged not to make any commitments (i.e.,
vacation) during the examination period. Students are required to be available for
examinations during the examination periods of all terms in which they register. Refer
to the Handbook on Undergraduate Course Management for more information.
Multi-campus Resource:
• Good2Talk is a postsecondary school helpline that provides free, professional and
confidential counselling support for students in Ontario. Call 1-866-925-5454 or
through 2-1-1. Available 24-7.
Kitchener/Waterloo Resources:
• Waterloo Student Food Bank: All students are eligible to use this service to ensure
they’re eating healthy when overwhelmed, stressed or financially strained.
Anonymously request a package online 24-7. All dietary restrictions accommodated.
• Waterloo Foot Patrol: 519.886.FOOT (3668). A volunteer operated safe-walk
program, available Fall and Winter daily from 6:30 pm to 3 am. Teams of two are
assigned to escort students to and from campus by foot or by van.
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• Waterloo Student Wellness Centre: 519-884-0710, x3146. The Centre supports the
physical, emotional, and mental health needs of students. Located on the 2nd floor of
the Student Services Building, booked and same-day appointments are available
Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:30 am to 7:30 pm, and Tuesdays, Thursdays and
Fridays from 8:30 am to 4:15 pm. Contact the Centre at x3146, or
@LaurierWellness. After hours crisis support available 24/7. Call 1-844-437-3247
(HERE247).