Quantum algorithms (CMSC 858Q, Spring 2025)

This is an advanced graduate course on quantum algorithms for students with prior experience in quantum information. The course will cover algorithms that allow quantum computers to solve problems faster than classical computers. Topics will include quantum circuits, quantum algorithms for algebraic problems, quantum walk algorithms, quantum algorithms for simulating quantum mechanics, limitations on the power of quantum computers, and selected recent developments in quantum algorithms.

This course assumes a good working knowledge of linear and abstract algebra, as well as concepts in quantum information at the level of CMSC 657: Introduction to Quantum Information Processing. In particular, you should already be familiar with the material reviewed in Chapter 1 of the lecture notes. You are encouraged to consult with the instructor if you are unsure whether you are prepared to take the course.

We will use Piazza for class announcements and discussion. You should sign yourself up for the course Piazza page. This is the best way to stay up to date on what is happening in the course and to quickly get help from classmates, TAs, and the instructor. Instead of emailing questions to the teaching staff, please post questions on Piazza. You can send private posts to the instructors to discuss personal issues or solution details for an open assignment, but you should make posts public whenever possible so that everyone in the class can benefit from the discussion. The course staff may change the visibility of posts when appropriate. Please do not send messages to the course staff using the Canvas messaging system, and do not use any other online forum for course-wide discussion without prior permission of the instructor.

There is no required textbook. Good sources of background material include

• Kaye, Laflamme, and Mosca, An Introduction to Quantum Computing (errata)
• Kitaev, Shen, and Vyalyi, Classical and Quantum Computation
• Nielsen and Chuang, Quantum Information and Quantum Computation

Lecture notes will be available for all topics covered in the class. The relevant chapters will be indicated on the lecture schedule.

Grades for the course will be based on three assignments (each worth 13% of the course grade), a course project to be presented in the last few weeks of the semester (31% of the course grade), and a final exam (30% of the course grade).

There will be three assignments, which will be made available on Canvas and should be submitted using Gradescope. You are encouraged to discuss the problems with your colleagues and the instructor and to consult the research literature. However, your solutions should be written independently, based on your own understanding, and you should acknowledge whatever resources you consulted. The assignments will be due as follows:

• Assignment 1: February 19
• Assignment 2: March 12
• Assignment 3: April 9

For the course project, you will study a topic related to quantum algorithms that goes beyond the material covered in the lectures. In addition to reviewing previous work on your topic, you should identify new research directions, and outstanding projects will include some original research contributions. A list of suggested topics will be provided, but you are free to choose a topic not on that list. You may choose to work alone or with a group of two or three students. Each group should have a unique topic.

Your project will include the following deliverables:

• a project proposal, due March 5 (10% of your project grade);
• a presentation to the class, to be scheduled during lecture times in the last few weeks of the semester (45%); and
• a written report (45%), due May 13.

Further details will be provided in class and on Piazza as the course progresses.

Final exam

Schedule

Course policies and academic accommodations

Notice of mandatory reporting

As a faculty member, the instructor is designated as a “Responsible University Employee,” and must report all disclosures of sexual assault, sexual harassment, interpersonal violence, and stalking to UMD’s Title IX Coordinator per University Policy on Sexual Harassment and Other Sexual Misconduct.

If you wish to speak with someone confidentially, please contact one of UMD’s confidential resources, such as CARE to Stop Violence (located on the ground floor of the Health Center) at 301-741-3442 or the Counseling Center (located at the Shoemaker Building) at 301-314-7651.

You may also seek assistance or supportive measures from UMD’s Title IX Coordinator, Angela Nastase, by calling 301-405-1142, or emailing titleIXcoordinator@umd.edu.

To view further information on the above, please visit the website of the Office of Civil Rights and Sexual Misconduct.

Course evaluations

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