Introduction to quantum information processing (CMSC 657, Fall 2026): Schedule

This lecture schedule may evolve as the semester progresses. Recommended readings are from Quantum Computation and Quantum Information by Nielsen and Chuang.

DatesTopicsReadingDeadlinesNotes
2.1 Review for math background
Aug 31, Sep 2 From classical to quantum information 1.1, 3.2.5, 1.2, 2.2.1-2 First lecture on Aug 31
Sep 9 Quantum information 2.2.3-5, 2.2.7-8 No class on Sep 7 (Labor Day)
Sep 14, 16 Quantum protocols, quantum circuits 1.3.1-7, 2.3, 4.1-6
Sep 21, 23 Introductory quantum algorithms 1.4.1-4 A1: Sep 24
Sep 28, 30 Quantum Fourier transform, phase estimation 5.1-2
Oct 5, 7 Phase estimation, order finding 5.3 A2: Oct 8
Oct 14 Factoring, unstructured search 5.3, 6.1 No class on Oct 12 (fall break)
Oct 19, 21 Unstructured search, quantum simulation 6.3-4, 6.6, 4.7 Project proposal: Oct 22
Oct 26, 28 Quantum complexity theory 3.2.1-4 A3: Oct 29
Nov 2, 4 Open quantum systems 2.4, 8.1-3
Nov 9, 11 Quantum operations, distance measures 2.2.6, 9.1-2 A4: Nov 12
Nov 16, 18 Quantum error correction 10.1-4 Project report: Nov 19
Nov 23 Stabilizer codes, fault tolerance 10.5-6 A5: Nov 24 No class on Nov 25 (Thanksgiving break)
Nov 30, Dec 2 Entropy, compression, entanglement transformations 11.1-3, 12.2, 12.5.2 Project peer review: Dec 3
Dec 7, 9 Nonlocality, quantum cryptography 2.6, 12.6 Project: Dec 10 Last lecture on Dec 9
Final exam: Dec 16

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