CMSC/PHYS 457 Introduction to Quantum Computing, Spring 2026 : Projects

Requirement

Each group must complete a course project, which may be a survey of a specific topic in quantum information and computation or original research/implementation. The final deliverables will include a presentation and a written report (approximately 10 pages).

For survey projects, identify the motivation and background of a specific topic, then summarize its development in the literature. You should also highlight important open problems and future directions.
For original theory-research or implementation projects, first identify a specific problem, its motivation, and relevant existing literature. Then, propose your methodologytechniquesimplementation. You are not required to fully solve the problem. However, present your findings based on your approach and outline a plan for future work.

Each group must submit a proposal on the topic (either from a list of candidate project topics or one you find yourselves) and discuss it with the instructor to finalize the project. Groups must also submit a mid-term report, presentation slides, and a final report according to the timeline below.

Timeline

Groups formed (Assignment 0) by 02/06/26.
Course project proposals due by 02/20/26.
Course project finalized by 02/27/26.
Course project mid-term report due by 04/03/26.
Course project slides due by 04/24/26.
Course project final report due by 05/15/26.

Specific Requirements for Each Submitted Document

Proposal: 1-2 pages. Include the topic and its motivation, an appropriate project goal, and a brief summary of relevant literature (including relationships among sources or why they are pertinent). For research projects, explain the high-level idea of your methodology/techniques. Importantly, include a time plan: what to complete by the mid-term report and by the final presentation. If the topic is too broad, it is fine to focus on select parts and defer others.
Mid-term Report: 4-5 pages. Structure it in two parts. The first is a polished version of your proposal (excluding the time plan), reflecting deeper understanding after literature review. The second covers insights from readings, such as topic development, current state-of-the-art, and key open problems in your own words.
Slides and Presentation: Deliver an oral presentation for an audience with basic quantum information knowledge (e.g., after this course). It should be self-contained, clearly explaining key points (e.g., topic, motivation, development, state-of-the-art, your methodology/findings, open questions). Aim for 15-20 minutes. Grading includes slide quality and presentation quality. Details will be announced on ELMS.
Final Report: 10 pages. Treat this as a detailed supplement to the presentation and a refined version of the mid-term report. Ensure it is self-contained, covering all major project aspects.

Grading of Projects (20%)

Proposal (5%), Mid-term Report (5%), Slides and Presentation (5%), Final Report (5%)
Each item is graded based on document quality and demonstrated progress.