LTFY.04.012 FunQ!

Fundamentals of Quantum Computing —

Theory through Practice

Instructor: Dr. Veiko Palge & team

This course is the entry point at UTartu to learning quantum information processing, i.e., quantum computing and quantum communication (incl. quantum crypto). It covers the mathematical background (Hilbert space, bases, tensor products, operator concept, spectral theory, ...) in the context of the basic quantum mechanics (qubits, states, kets-and-bras, Schrödinger equation, unitary time evolution, quantum circuits, ...) that is needed for quantum information processing. The threat to Estonian cyber security by quantum computing is discussed.

In the practical part of the course, students will learn to program quantum computers in Python using IBM's open-source quantum programming framework, Qiskit.

To summarize, you'll learn the math, the quantum mechanics, and the Python modules of quantum information processing.

Role in Computer Science curricula

The course is hosted by the Institute of Physics, but no prior knowledge of physics (or quantum mechanics) is required. In particular, the course is well-suited for computer science students who enjoy math. Indeed, FunQ is a compulsory requirement for all quantum computing courses at the institute of computer science, and is highly recommended background for the Quantum Crypto course.

• In the master curriculum Computer Science, students can replace FunQ for one of the non-quantum courses in the specialization module 2.1 Theoretical Informatics. (A good candidate would be the redundant course "Foundations of Mathematics for Computer Science" that used to cover the same math in a more mathish way without giving the quantum mechanics or the practical skills.)
• In the bachelor curriculum Computer Science, FunQ is elective.

The teaching team includes people for ATI Theoretical Computer Science.

Space & Time

• ÕIS2 link
• Location: Institute of Physics, Ostwaldi tn 1 🛴
• Lecture classes: Thursdays, 16:15-17:45
• Labs: Fridays, 10:15-11:45

The first class meeting will take place on Thursday, September 1.

This page was created by Dirk Oliver Theis