CMSC 858G (Spring 2026):
Problem Sets
Turn in the problem sets on Gradescope. No use of LLMs and acknowledge collaborations or other outside resources.
- Problem set 1 (pdf, LaTeX): Due Feb. 24, 11:59 PM
- Problem set 2 (pdf, LaTeX): Due Mar. 10, 11:59 PM
- Problem set 3 (pdf, LaTeX): Due Mar. 31, 11:59 PM
- Problem set 4 (pdf, LaTeX): Due Apr. 14, 11:59 PM
Textbook
A new 2026 draft of the textbook is now available: Daniel Gottesman, Surviving as a Quantum Computer in a Classical World. If you find you wish to cite the book, please refer to it as the 2026 draft. This draft contains the chapter on surface codes and a number of small corrections and clarifications.
Also, here are some notes giving an introduction to group theory.
Tentative Syllabus
- Quantum error correction
- 9-qubit code
- Quantum error correction conditions
- Stabilizer codes
- Clifford group
- Qudit codes
- Bounds on quantum error-correcting codes
- Fault tolerance
- Transversal gates
- Shor, Steane, and Knill quantum error correction
- Fault-tolerant state preparation
- Magic states
- Threshold theorem
- Other topics
- Toric and surface codes
- Subsystem codes
- Other topics TBA
Grades
Your grade will have 3 components:
- Problem sets (35%)
- Project (35%)
- Final exam (30%)
- The problem sets will be available on this web page about once every two weeks.
- The problem sets will be turned in on Gradescope.
- For the problem sets, if you use any external material to solve it (other than the lectures and the textbook), cite the source and indicate what you took from it. However, you should not use AI tools to solve or write up the problem sets.
- You may discuss problem sets with other students, but you must understand and write up your solution by yourself. If you do collaborate, indicate who you talked to on your assignment.
- Problem sets need to be turned in by the indicated deadline. If you need an extension, you must request an extension from the professor before the deadline.
Project
- Performed in groups of 1-5 people (larger groups will need more content covered).
- Should present original research or the main results from 1-5 research papers, depending on length of the papers, overlap between them, and group size.
- Each group will turn in a written report (length 10-30 pages, depending on group size and scope of the project) and give a brief presentation in the last week of class (i.e., the first week of May).
- The writeup should contain a brief summary of the contributions of each member of the group.
- More detailed instructions
Project Ideas
Here are some possible ideas for projects. Many of them are quite large and would need to be further narrowed down. This is not an exhaustive list. If you want a subject not on this list, let me know and we can discuss if it is acceptable.
- Coding theory:
- Quantum polar codes
- Quantum LDPC codes
- Continuous variable codes
- Floquet codes
- Complexity of decoding quantum codes
- Approximate QECCs
- Fault tolerance:
- Knill FT scheme
- Comparison of thresholds from different codes
- Upper bounds on the threshold
- Magic state distillation protocols
- Measures of magic
- Alternative (non-magic state) FT gate constructions
- Non-abelian anyons
- Other topics:
- Experimental quantum error correction and fault tolerance
- Shor-Preskill QKD proof
- Extensions of efficient simulation of Clifford group circuits
- Coding theory in quantum complexity (e.g., NLTS conjecture)
- Fractons as quantum error-correcting codes
- Quantum error correction and AdS/CFT
Final Exam
- Take-home exam.
- Materials allowed: You can use the textbook and class notes but no materials from elsewhere on the internet. You may not discuss with other people or use AI tools.
- Requirements: You will need internet access for the exam, and either the ability to scan in your answers or write them on a computer to submit.
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