Requirements to pass this unit

To pass this unit, you must achieve a total mark equal to, or greater than, 50%.

Attendance and Participation

We strongly encourage all students to actively participate in all learning activities. Regular engagement is crucial for your success in this unit, as these activities provide opportunities to deepen your understanding of the material, collaborate with peers, and receive valuable feedback from instructors, to assist in completing the unit assessments. Your active participation not only enhances your learning experience but also contributes to a vibrant, dynamic learning environment for everyone.

Late Submission Policy

• 5% penalty per day: If you submit your assessment late, 5% of the total possible marks will be deducted for each day (including weekends), up to 7 days.
  • Example 1 (out of 100): If you score 85/100 but submit 20 hours late, you will lose 5 marks and receive 80/100.
  • Example 2 (out of 30): If you score 27/30 but submit 1 day late, you will lose 1.5 marks and receive 25.5/30.
• After 7 days: Submissions more than 7 days late will receive a mark of 0.
• Extensions:
  • Automatic short extension: The assessments are not eligible for automatic short extension.
  • Special Consideration: If you need more time due to serious issues, you must apply for Special Consideration.

Need help? Review the Special Consideration page HERE

Recommended text

For the first half, some of the chapters of Quantum Computation and Quantum Information, by M. Nielsen and I. L. Chuang will cover the content of most lectures. They will be provided by the lecturer. 

For the second half, the theory will be provided in the lecture notes that will be distributed after each class. 

Week 1

Lectures will commence in week 1.  No workshops in week 1.

Lectures 

There will be two lectures each week. Lectures will occur online to accommodate the SQA PhD students. Each week's lecture notes will be made available through iLearn.

Workshops

Workshops will be interleaved throughout the semester. Some lectures will consist of workshop parts. Some others will be mostly workshops. Workshops will mainly consist of writing Python code to implement the learned theory. We will use the Qutip package, specialised for quantum information.

Communication

We will communicate with you via your university email or through announcements on iLearn. Private queries can be sent directly to the unit convenor via the unit contact email on iLearn.

Overview

This unit introduces students to the growing field of quantum information science and technology. The unit covers the fundamentals of quantum algorithms: qubits, gates, and quantum circuits. There is a Python component that allows you to simulate this with specialised packages like QuTip. The unit also covers quantum device characterisation techniques, like state, channel and circuit tomography and the description of open quantum systems. It utilises real experimental data to characterise a superconducting qubits device.

Outline of the topics this unit will cover

First half - lectures and some Python workshops

Qubits and the Bloch sphere

Gate implementation: Rabi oscillations - Raman transitions

Quantum circuits and gates

Quantum algorithms

Second half - Lectures and mostly Python workshops 

State tomography

Channel tomography

Multi-time process tomography

Open quantum systems characterisation

Exploring a superconducting qubit from real data

The unit description refers to a lab component. As the unit is online, there will be no such component.