CS 399 - Programming Quantum Algorithms

Term and Credits

Winter 2021-2022
3 Credits

Room and Time

Section 001 - TW 10-11:20PM Prof. Boady [Zoom]

Instructor

Mark Boady
Electronic Mail Address: mwb33@drexel.edu
Office: 3675 Market Street Room 1058 (near snack machine)
Extention: 215-895-2347
Office Hours: Tuesday/Thursday TBD

Course Description

Covers the basics of Quantum Computing and famous algorithms. Introduces qubits, quantum gates, and quantum circuits. Examines the linear algebra and mathematical concepts needed to understand quantum circuits. Studies famous quantum algorithms including Deutsch-Jozsa, Simon, Shor, and Grover. Examines current topics in quantum algorithms.

Course Objective and Goals

1. Understand what a qubit is.
2. Understand all basic quantum gates.
3. Relate linear algebra to quantum computing.
4. Program and apply famous quantum algorithms.
5. Modify existing algorithms to create new programs.

Topics

1. Linear Algebra and Complex Numbers
2. Qubits and Quantum Gates
3. Classical Computation on Quantum Systems
4. Deutsch-Jozsa Algorithm
5. Simon's Algorithm
6. Shor's Algorithm
7. Quantum Fourier Transform
8. Grover's Algorithm
9. Current topics in Quantum Algorithms

Audience and Purpose within Plan of Study

This class is targeted a high level Computer Science students. It assumes a significant amount of algorithmic and low level computer knowledge. It is targeted at students who want to tranfer their traditional programming skills into quantum algorithm design and programming.

Prerequisites
This subject benefits from the abilities to creatively use the software development and mathematical tools that students know as advanced undergraduates: CS260 (Minimum Grade C+), CS 270 (Minimum Grade C+), MATH 201 - Linear Algebra (Minimum grade C+).

What Students Should Know Prior to this Course

1. Basics of Linear Algebra
2. Algorithm Design and Analysis
3. Programming in a High Level Programming Language
4. Logic and it's relation to computer circuits
5. General mathematical skills

What Students will be able to do upon Successfully Completing this Course: Statement of Expected Learning

1. Implement quantum circuit given an existing algorithm
2. Test and analyze quantum circuits
3. Modify existing quantum algorithms to solve problems
4. Explain why quantum algorithms work correctly.

Textbook

Introduction to Quantum Algorithms via Linear Algebra (Second Edition)
Author: Richard J. Lipton and Kenneth W. Regan
Published: April 6, 2021
ISBN-10: 0262045257
ISBN-13: 978-0262045254
Buy from Amazon

Learn Quantum Computation using Qiskit
Available free online: https://qiskit.org/textbook/preface.html

Grading and Policies

• Blogs: 8%
• Blog Comments: 2%
• Homework Assignments: 50%
• Presentation 1: 20%
• Presentation 2: 20%

Final grades will be determined by your total points weighted according to this distribution. Grades may be curved but are generally computed via the formula below. It may be modified at the instructor's sole discretion, but letter grades will generally not be lower than those shown here.

• [100-97]A+
• (97-93] A
• (93-90]A-
• (90-87]B+
• (87-83] B
• (83-80]B-
• [80-77]C+
• (77-73] C
• (73-70]C-
• (70-67]D+
• (67-60]D
• (60-0]F

Course Material

Late Policy

• Assignments/Readings
  • You may submit assignments/Readings at a penalty for a few days.
  • Penalties:
    1. -10% 1 day late
    2. -20% 2 days late
    3. -30% 3 days late
    4. -40% 4 days late
    5. Not Accepted after 4 days
• Late Passes
  • We understand that sometimes unforeseen circumstances will effect your life.
  • Each student is allowed 2 Late Passes.
  • Using a Late Pass will remove a 1 day penalty from any assignment or reading.
  • To use a late pass: send a slack message to your TA informing them that you want to use a pass and what assignment to apply it for.
  • The TA must be informed before the original deadline for the assignment/reading.
• Special Exceptions: In exceptional circumstances, the Professor may wave additional penalties or accept work past the cut-off. Please message the Professor directly to request a special exception. Documentation (Doctor Note, Police Report, Athletics Approval, etc) is generally preferred.
• Family Friendly Policy: We understand that some students have family obligations. If you need to miss class for a family emergency please use the Special Exceptions policy. Small children are allowed in class, but please do your best to keep classroom distruptions to a minimum.

Academic Honesty Policy

The CCI Academic Honesty policy is in effect for this course. Please see the policy at http://drexel.edu/cci/resources/current-students/undergraduate/policies/cs-academic-integrity/.

Academic Honesty Violations will be reported to the University. Punishment will be determined by the severity of the incident. Punishments include, but are not limited to,

• Failing grade for class
• Deduction of one letter grade
• Zero on Assignment/Exam Violation took place on

Components

Blogs

Each week you will reflect on the concepts you learned in a reading assignment in a blog post.

You will comment on two other students posts.

Homework Assignments

There will be 8 homework assignments. Some will be written and some will be programming.

Presentations

Each student will present two (midterm and final) presentations of quantum algorithms. Student will select topics from areas not covered by class. The student will present a teaching lecture on the topic to the rest of the class via a recorded video.

University Policies
In addition to the course policies listed on this syllabus, course assignments or course website, the following University policies are in effect:

• Computer/Software Help provided by iCommons: https://drexel.edu/cci/current-students/icommons/
• Academic Honesty: http://www.drexel.edu/provost/policies/academic_dishonesty.asp
• Judicial Affairs Academic Integrity: http://drexel.edu/studentlife/community_standards/facultystaff/integrity/
• Official Final Exam Schedule: http://www.drexel.edu/registrar/scheduling/exams/
• Students with Disability Statement: http://drexel.edu/oed/disabilityResources/overview/
• Course Drop Policy: http://www.drexel.edu/provost/policies/course_drop.asp
• Drexel Student Learning Priorities: http://www.drexel.edu/provost/irae/assessment/outcomes/dslp/
• The instructor may, at his/her/their discretion, change any part of the course during the term, including assignments, grade brakdowns, due-dates, and the schedule. Such changes will be communicated to students via the course web site Announcements page. This page should be checked regularly and frequently for such changes and announcements. Other announcements, although rare, may include class cancellations and other urgent announcements.

Appropriate Use of Course Materials

It is important to recognize that some or all of the course materials provided to you are the intellectual property of Drexel University, the course instructor, or others. Use of this intellectual property is governed by Drexel University policies, including the IT-1 policy found at: https://drexel.edu/it/about/policies/policies/01-Acceptable-Use/
Briefly, this policy states that all course materials including recordings provided by the given prior written approval by the University. Doing so may be considered a breach of this policy and will be investigated and addressed as possible academic dishonesty, among other potential violations. Improper use of such materials may also constitute a violation of the University's Code of Conduct found at: https://drexel.edu/cpo/policies/cpo-1/ and will be investigated as such.

Recording of Class Activities:

In general, students and others should not record course interactions and course activities in lecture, lab, studio or recitation.
Students who have an approved accommodation from the Office of Disability Resources to record online lectures and discussions for note taking purposes should inform their course instructor(s) of their approved accommodation in advance. The recording of lectures and discussions may only be carried out by the students enrolled in the class who have an approved accommodation from Disability Resources with their instructors' prior knowledge and consent. Students with approved accommodations may be asked to turn off their recorder if confidential or personal information is presented.
If a student has any comments, concerns, or questions about provided class materials and/ or recording, talk to your course instructor first. If this does not resolve the issue, you can also reach out to the Department Head, and use the process described for a grade appeal to move your concern forward. The process described for grade appeals can be found at: https://drexel.edu/provost/policies/grade-appeals/

Mask Etiquette for the 2021 Fall Quarter

As of August 3, 2021, Drexel requires all students and employees to wear a mask in all on-campus public and shared spaces, including instructional and research settings, regardless of vaccination status. Specifically, masks are to be worn in classrooms, laboratories, lecture halls and seminar rooms. Students are not permitted to eat during class or otherwise remove their mask. If a student needs to remove their mask (to drink water etc.) they may step outside the class, to do so and then return to class. Please remember your mask to avoid class disruption.

If a student does not wear a mask or follow other required health and safety guidelines in the classroom, the instructor will take the following steps:

• Ask the student to please correct their behavior. This may involve determining if there is a reason why the student is unable to comply with the request; for instance, they may not have a mask. If a solution to the problem can be easily identified, and the instructor is able to assist the student in complying, such as directing them as to where to find a mask, they will do so.
• If the student refuses to mask, the instructor will inform the student that they will be referred to Student Conduct and they will be asked to leave the class.

As members of the Drexel community, we all play a role in supporting our collective health and safety, and I appreciate your collaboration and commitment to this. If you have questions or concerns about masking in class, please do not hesitate to ask. More information about masking is available at the link above and on the Drexel Response to Coronavirus website.

Tentative Course Schedule

Please see the appropriate assignment webpages for a detailed description of course deliverables.