| Unit name | Quantum Computation |
|---|---|
| Unit code | MATHM0049 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Professor. Linden |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
Quantum Information Theory 2023 MATH30031/MATHM0047 |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Mathematics |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
Why is this unit important?
Quantum computers are machines that are designed to use the principles of quantum mechanics to do things that cannot be done by any standard computer based only on classical physics. This unit will introduce the emerging theory of quantum computation, which has many remarkable features compared with classical computation. The unit will cover some of the most important quantum algorithms currently known, which outperform classical algorithms for tasks ranging from factorising large integers to simulating large quantum-mechanical systems.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
This unit is a natural partner and successor to Quantum Information Theory. It is likely to be of interest to students from Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science and Engineering who have an interest in quantum information or the theory of computation
The unit will enable the student to understand and appreciate the concepts behind the model of quantum computation, key quantum algorithms and their applications, at a suitable level of mathematical rigour. It will also encompass theoretical subjects that are relevant to implementations of quantum computation. The unit will include topics that are currently the subject of active research and should provide suitably able and inclined students with the necessary background for postgraduate study in the field.
An overview of content
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
At the end of the unit the students will have improved their logical thinking, learnt to synthesize ideas from different disciplines, and have increased the range and scope of their problem-solving techniques.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the unit, a successful student will be able to:
Transferrable skills:
The unit will be taught through a selection of lectures, flipped-classroom, online materials, independent activities such as problem sheets and other exercises, problem classes, support sessions and office hours.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Weekly problem sheets
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
100% timed examination
When assessment does not go to plan
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. MATHM0049).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
