Computer Science 412 - Quantum Information Science

Quantum information science (QIS) revolutionizes our understanding of the fundamental laws of the universe and promises world-altering improvements in a number of practical computational tasks. For theoretical computer scientists, QIS provides the means to unlock the ultimate computational powers available to us in this universe. For programmers and computer engineers, QIS offers the tools to run simulations and optimizations otherwise infeasible on classical computers. For theoretical physicists, QIS gives us hope of resolving paradoxes foundational to our understanding of Nature. And for experimentalists and engineers, QIS also enables the creation of exquisite sensors and novel communication tools, far outperforming what is classically permitted. This class will introduce the notion of quantum probability amplitudes, i.e., the "correct" probabilistic description of Nature, and describe how these quantum phenomena permit the creation of new types of computational machines. The introduction to foundational quantum information science will be followed by a few practical (and impractical) quantum algorithms, illustrating the counterintuitive computational powers of quantum mechanics. The latter half of the class would focus on the difficulties of creating such extremely fragile computational machines in our noisy and unforgiving real world. This course counts as an elective for the CS Major.

Open to junior and senior COMPSCI, INFORM, PHYSICS, MATH, and CS-ENG students. MATH132&235&CS240,STAT315,PHYS NOT ON THE LIST OF PRE-APPROVED INFORM ELECTIVES. AFTER JUNIOR AND SENIOR CS AND INFORM MAJORS HAVE ENROLLED, THIS COURSE WILL OPEN TO JUNIOR AND SENIOR PHYSICS, MATH, AND ENGINEERING MAJORS, WHO SHOULD WAIT FOR THE COURSE TO OPEN TO SELF-ENROLL. MATH 233, COMPSCI 250 AND 311 ARE HELPFUL BUT NOT NECESSARY. STUDENTS NEEDING SPECIAL PERMISSION MUST REQUEST OVERRIDES VIA THE ON-LINE FORM: https://www.cics.umass.edu/academics/course-overrides