Math 4782/Phys 4782 Syllabus

Quantum Information and Quantum Computing, 3 Credits

MWF, 11.15-12.05, Instructional Center 209

Instructor Information
Instructor Email Office Hours & Location
Brian Kennedy brian.kennedy@physis.gatech.edu N119 Howey, 11-1, Th
Teaching Assistant(s) Email Office Hours & Location
Man Hon Yau myau6@gatech.edu C204 Howey,1-3, Wed

General Information
Description
Quantum information and computing have become important areas of scientific interest in the recent past,
because of their potential application in future information processing systems and their security. The
quantum processor should take advantage of a key property absent in classical physics: entanglement. This
course provides a first introduction to the ideas of quantum information by developing a set of quantum
mechanical principles and tools, which are then applied to quantum computing and quantum information
systems. We discuss how quantum circuits compute and the central role of von Neumann entropy in the
compression and transmission of quantum information.

Pre- &/or Co-Requisites

Calculus III/Multivariable Calculus or equivalent (including the CS version). (Phys3143 Quantum Mechanics I,
a core course for physics and applied physics majors, is recommended background for Math/Phys 4782, but
is not required. )

Course Goals and Learning Outcomes

Students will attain familiarity with the quantum theory of composite systems and open systems and the
phenomenology of quantum computing and quantum information processing systems. Students will gain the
ability to solve problems and state and prove theorems relating to quantum information and quantum
computing using a variety of mathematical techniques.

Course Requirements & Grading

Assignment Date Weight (Percentage, points, etc)
Quizzes, 2 9/24 and 11/5 20% X 2

Homework 20%

Final Exam Fri Dec 7 11.20-2.10 40 %

Description of Graded Components

Working homework problems is a time consuming activity but is a crucial component in mastering difficult
concepts and methods. It is also the best way to prepare for the quiz and final exam components of the
graded work.

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You are welcome to discuss and brainstorm solutions to problems with your class mates, but please write
up your own independent solutions. Substantially correct and complete solutions will be awarded full marks
in grading.
The quizzes and final examinations will involve solving problems and proving results, of a style similar to
the assignments, with a length appropriate to the time constraints. Relevant background information will
be provided on the examination and perhaps through other materials.
Assignments should be handed in at the beginning of class on the due date.
Grading Scale
Your final grade will be assigned as a letter grade according to the following scale:
A 90-100%
B 80-89%
C 70-79%
D 60-69%
F 0-59%
[At Georgia Tech, grades are awarded on a scale of A-F with no +/- grades permitted.
According to policy, grades at Georgia Tech are interpreted as follows:
A Excellent (4 quality points per credit hour)
B Good (3 quality points per credit hour)
C Satisfactory (2 quality points per credit hour)
D Passing (1 quality point per credit hour)
F Failure (0 quality points per credit hour)
See http://registrar.gatech.edu/info/grading-system for more information about the grading system at
Georgia Tech.]

Course Materials
Course Text
Quantum Computing and Quantum Information, tenth anniversary edition (Cambridge, 2010) by Michael A.
Nielsen and Isaac L. Chuang is the required text.

Additional Materials/Resources
Quantum Processes Systems, and Information (Cambridge 2010) by Benjamin Schumacher and Michael
Westmoreland, is a recommended text.
Other information in the form of notes and documents will be provided on the Resources section of the T-
Square site.

Course Website and Other Classroom Management Tools

Homework assignments, syllabus, notes and resources will be posted on T-Square. When homework
assignments are posted an email will be sent to registered students.

Course Expectations & Guidelines

Working problems is a vitally important activity to help you to learn material. You are welcome to discuss
and brainstorm solutions to problems with your class mates, but please write up your own independent
solutions. Substantially correct solutions will be awarded full marks in grading.

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The quizzes and final examinations will involve solving problems and proving results, of a style similar to
the assignments, but with a length appropriate to the time constraints. Relevant background information
will be provided on the examination and perhaps through other materials.
Assignments should be handed in at the beginning of class on the due date.

Academic Integrity
Georgia Tech aims to cultivate a community based on trust, academic integrity, and honor. Students are
expected to act according to the highest ethical standards. For information on Georgia Tech's Academic
Honor Code, please visit http://www.catalog.gatech.edu/policies/honor-code/ or
http://www.catalog.gatech.edu/rules/18/.
Any student suspected of cheating or plagiarizing on a quiz, exam, or assignment will be reported to the
Office of Student Integrity, who will investigate the incident and identify the appropriate penalty for
violations.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

If you are a student with learning needs that require special accommodation, contact the Office of
Disability Services at (404)894-2563 or http://disabilityservices.gatech.edu/, as soon as possible, to make
an appointment to discuss your special needs and to obtain an accommodations letter. Please also e-mail
me as soon as possible in order to set up a time to discuss your learning needs.

Attendance and/or Participation

Class attendance and participation is expected.
The All-Majors Career Fair, Monday 17 September, overlaps with one class period. Any impacted student
should contact the instructor in advance.

Collaboration & Group Work

Collaboration on assignments is discussed under the header to this section, above. Use of existing solutions
to textbook or assignment problems, from whatever source, is not permitted.

Extensions, Late Assignments, & Re-Scheduled/Missed Exams

Homework assignment extensions or a make-up for a missed quiz will be considered for (a) a documented
medical absence or (b) for approved institute activities (e.g. field trips and athletic events). Students
should contact the instructor by email or in person prior to the absence or late assignment.

Student-Faculty Expectations Agreement

At Georgia Tech we believe that it is important to strive for an atmosphere of mutual respect,
acknowledgement, and responsibility between faculty members and the student body. See
http://www.catalog.gatech.edu/rules/22/ for an articulation of some basic expectation that you can have
of me and that I have of you. In the end, simple respect for knowledge, hard work, and cordial interactions
will help build the environment we seek. Therefore, I encourage you to remain committed to the ideals of
Georgia Tech while in this class.

Student Use of Mobile Devices in the Classroom

Taking notes electronically on computer is permitted

Additional Course Policies

Requests for re-grading should be first made to the TA, and then the instructor.

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Campus Resources for Students
In your time at Georgia Tech, you may find yourself in need of support. Below you will find
some resources to support you both as a student and as a person.
Academic support
 Center for Academic Success http://success.gatech.edu
o 1-to-1 tutoring http://success.gatech.edu/1-1-tutoring
o Peer-Led Undergraduate Study (PLUS) http://success.gatech.edu/tutoring/plus
o Academic coaching http://success.gatech.edu/coaching
 Residence Life's Learning Assistance Program
https://housing.gatech.edu/learning-assistance-program
o Drop-in tutoring for many 1000 level courses
 OMED: Educational Services (http://omed.gatech.edu/programs/academic-support)
o Group study sessions and tutoring programs
 Communication Center (http://www.communicationcenter.gatech.edu)
o Individualized help with writing and multimedia projects
 Academic advisors for your major
http://advising.gatech.edu/

Personal Support
Georgia Tech Resources
 The Office of the Dean of Students: http://studentlife.gatech.edu/content/services;
404-894-6367; Smithgall Student Services Building 2nd floor
o You also may request assistance at https://gatech-
advocate.symplicity.com/care_report/index.php/pid383662?
 Counseling Center: http://counseling.gatech.edu; 404-894-2575; Smithgall Student
Services Building 2nd floor
o Services include short-term individual counseling, group counseling, couples
counseling, testing and assessment, referral services, and crisis intervention.
Their website also includes links to state and national resources.
o Students in crisis may walk in during business hours (8am-5pm, Monday
through Friday) or contact the counselor on call after hours at 404-894-2204.
 Students’ Temporary Assistance and Resources (STAR):
http://studentlife.gatech.edu/content/need-help
o Can assist with interview clothing, food, and housing needs.
 Stamps Health Services: https://health.gatech.edu; 404-894-1420
o Primary care, pharmacy, women’s health, psychiatry, immunization and
allergy, health promotion, and nutrition
 OMED: Educational Services: http://www.omed.gatech.edu
 Women’s Resource Center: http://www.womenscenter.gatech.edu; 404-385-0230
 LGBTQIA Resource Center: http://lgbtqia.gatech.edu/; 404-385-2679
 Veteran’s Resource Center: http://veterans.gatech.edu/; 404-385-2067
 Georgia Tech Police: 404-894-2500

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Statement of Intent for Inclusivity
As a member of the Georgia Tech community, I am committed to creating a learning environment in which
all of my students feel safe and included. Because we are individuals with varying needs, I am reliant on
your feedback to achieve this goal. To that end, I invite you to enter into dialogue with me about the things
I can stop, start, and continue doing to make my classroom an environment in which every student feels
valued and can engage actively in our learning community.

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Course Schedule
The following is a provisional schedule based on the 2017 schedule. It represents a good first approximation
to the likely schedule. Students should be aware that changes in the choice of topics and emphasis given to
others are anticipated, and this will impact the schedule.

August 20 - 24 Cbits, Qubits, Quantum circuits, Operators on a vector space.

August 27 - 31 Quantum states, Hilbert space, outer products; examples

Sept 3 - 7 Quantum single and two qubit operations Operator adjoint and spectral
decomposition; Postulates of quantum mechanics (Sept 3, Labor Day)

Sept 10 -14 Unitary time evolution, measurement postulate

Sept 17 – 21 Projective measurements, introduction to quantum circuits

QUIZ 1 (September 24)

Sept 24 – 28 Quantum circuits, Measurements, Quantum Teleportation, Quantum Fourier
Transform (QFT): order-finding and factoring

Oct 1 – 5 QFT, phase estimation, modular arithmetic

Oct 8– 12 Modular arithmetic, GCD, Public key cryptography (RSA), Order finding (Oct
8-9 Fall Recess)

Oct 15 – 19 Quantum channels: open systems, density and reduced density operators.
General theory of measurements and Postulates of QM in density operator language

Oct 22 – 26 Kraus representation, Quantum Teleportation revisited with density

operator. Schmidt decomposition, purifications. Quantum channel examples

Oct 29 - Nov 2 Quantum channels: Kraus representation and completely positive maps.
Lindblad/markovian master equation examples.

QUIZ 2 (November 5)

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Nov 5 – Nov 9 Introduction to classical information theory: Shannon entropy and its
interpretation

Nov 12 – Nov 16 Basic Decoding Theorem and Basic Distinguishability Theorem; Shannon
entropy revisited; Random variables, Subadditivity and Strong Subadditivity
of Shannon entropy

Nov 19 - 23 Classical conditional and mutual information entropies. Data Processing

inequality. Quantum entropy of von Neumann.
Nov 21 – Nov 23, Student Recess and Thanksgiving holiday

Nov 26 – 30 Quantum conditional entropy and entanglement. Subadditivity and Strong

Subadditivity of quantum entropy, Holevo’s Bound.

Dec 3 Final Instructional Class Day: Holevo’s Bound versus Quantum Superdense
Coding

Dec 7 Final Exam 11.20 – 2.10 pm

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