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Course profile

Quantum Technologies (PHYS4045)

Study period
Sem 2 2024
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person

Course overview

Study period
Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
Study level
Undergraduate
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person
Units
2
Administrative campus
St Lucia
Coordinating unit
Mathematics & Physics School

This course will cover the principles of quantum technologies, how to apply them to understand the results of experiments, and how to use them to design robust quantum devices. It will cover the topics of high precision sensing, quantum information, quantum communication and computation, noise and error suppression, and quantum error correction.

This course covers quantum information and algorithms, quantum noise and errors, and physical architectures for quantum technology.ᅠ

Course requirements

Assumed background

Students shouldᅠhave a sound understanding of quantum physics at the level of PHYS3040 (or equivalent). Background in ᅠelectromagnetic fieldsᅠ(e.g.ᅠPHYS3051), condensed matter physics (e.g.ᅠPHYS2020) and statistical mechanics (e.g.ᅠPHYS3020) is helpful.

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

PHYS3040

Recommended prerequisites

We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:

MATH2000 or MATH2001 or MATH2901

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

PHYS7045 (co-taught).

Course contact

Course staff

Lecturer

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

All classes will be conducted on campus. Consult your personal timetable for times and locations. Students are expected to attend these sessions in person unless they have a valid reason for being unable to attend (such as illness). Alternative arrangements will be advised on Blackboard should the campus be closed for any reason. Important: if you are ill, then do not attend any classes in person. Alternative arrangements can be organised – consult Blackboard for details.

Aims and outcomes

This course will cover the principles of quantum information technologies, and how to use them to build robust quantum devices.ᅠᅠIt will coverᅠquantum information, quantum communication and computation, noise and error suppression, physical architectures and other applications.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

LO1.

Use the formalism of quantum information to describe quantum circuits and algorithms

LO2.

Apply methods from quantum noise to describe simple noise processes.

LO3.

Describe the methods of quantum error correction theory and apply them to correct quantum errors.

LO4.

Determine the requirements of physical systems to be good for implementations of quantum information and give quantitative calculations analysing various physical platforms.

LO5.

Describe and understand the quantum information "stack" from physical hardware to algorithms.

Assessment

Assessment summary

Category Assessment task Weight Due date
Presentation Viva style assessment 10%

Week 3 Mon - Week 13 Fri

Tutorial/ Problem Set Assignments
40%

See schedule of dates posted on Blackboard for deadlines for each assignment.

Examination Exam - during Exam Period (Central)
  • Identity Verified
50%

End of Semester Exam Period

2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024

Assessment details

Viva style assessment

Mode
Activity/ Performance
Category
Presentation
Weight
10%
Due date

Week 3 Mon - Week 13 Fri

Task description

For a subset of the tutorial sections throughout the semester a subset of students will be selected to complete a “viva” style question, to be worked through and presented as a group (no external resources allowed beyond the course notes and textbook).The class will be divided into groups of 3 or 4 depending on numbers. Each group will present once during the semester during the tutorial time.

The assessment will proceed as follows:

- The selected group of students will attend the tutorial and be presented the question, and will be given 20 min. to prepare notes on the response.

- The students will then present their solution over the next 20 minutes with interactive questions from the lecturer.

- The students should ensure that all members of the group participate in the presentation and all the students in the group are expected to respond to questions.

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

If needed, students may move to later viva sessions with an approved extension. See ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT INFORMATION for extension and deferred examination information relating to this assessment item.

Assignments

Mode
Written
Category
Tutorial/ Problem Set
Weight
40%
Due date

See schedule of dates posted on Blackboard for deadlines for each assignment.

Other conditions
Student specific.

See the conditions definitions

Task description

Five assignments will be given out during the semester. Students will have 2 weeks or longer to submit assignment solutions.

One question on each assignment will be worked through as part of the tutorial sections.

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Solutions for assessment item/s will be released 7 days after the assessment is due and as such, an extension after 7 days will not be possible.

See ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT INFORMATION for the extension and deferred examination information relating to this assessment item.

Exam - during Exam Period (Central)

  • Identity Verified
Mode
Written
Category
Examination
Weight
50%
Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024

Other conditions
Student specific.

See the conditions definitions

Task description

The written examination will be invigilated on-campus.

During the written exam: answer all questions. Keep in mind that the marks associated with each part of a question are not necessarily an indication of how much time they will take to answer. Try to attempt all parts of each question in order to maximise your marks. If you find yourself spending too long on one particular question, explain how you think your answer should proceed, and move on.

Exam details

Planning time 10 minutes
Duration 120 minutes
Calculator options

(In person) Casio FX82 series or UQ approved , labelled calculator only

Open/closed book Open Book examination
Exam platform Paper based
Invigilation

Invigilated in person

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

See ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT INFORMATION for the extension and deferred examination information relating to this assessment item.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Grade Description
1 (Low Fail)

Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: The student demonstrates very limited understanding of the topics listed in the course outline and of the basic concepts in the course material.

2 (Fail)

Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: The student demonstrates limited understanding of the topics listed in the course outline and demonstrates limited knowledge of the techniques used to solve problems. The cut-off is a weighted average grade of 1.5.

3 (Marginal Fail)

Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes

Course grade description: The student demonstrates some understanding of the topics listed in the course outline and demonstrates some knowledge of the techniques used to solve problems, but fails to satisfy all of the basic requirements for a pass. The cut-off is a weighted average grade of 2.5.

4 (Pass)

Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: The student demonstrates an understanding of the topics listed in the course outline and demonstrates a knowledge of the techniques used to solve problems. The cut-off is a weighted average grade of 3.5.

5 (Credit)

Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: The student demonstrates a good understanding of the topics listed in the course outline and can apply the techniques to solve problems. The cut-off is a weighted average grade of 4.5.

6 (Distinction)

Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: The student demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the topics listed in the course outline and is proficient in applying the techniques to solving both theoretical and practical problems. The cut-off is a weighted average grade of 5.5.

7 (High Distinction)

Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: The student demonstrates an excellent understanding of the topics listed in the course outline and is highly proficient in applying the techniques to solving both theoretical and practical problems. The cut-off is a weighted average grade of 6.3

Additional course grading information

In order to achieve a passing grade, students must achieve a mark of at least 40% final assignmentᅠmark, AND at least 40% on the assignments.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Should you fail a course with a grade of 3, you may be eligible for supplementary assessment. Refer to my.UQ for information on supplementary assessment and how to apply. 

Supplementary assessment provides an additional opportunity to demonstrate you have achieved all the required learning outcomes for a course.  

If you apply and are granted supplementary assessment, the type of supplementary assessment set will consider which learning outcome(s) have not been met.  

Supplementary assessment in this course will be a 2-hour examination similar in style to the end-of-semester examination. To receive a passing grade of 3S4, you must obtain a mark of 50% or more on the supplementary assessment. 

Additional assessment information

Students should be familiar with the rules which relate to assessment in their degrees as well as UQ assessment policy such as the PPL at http://ppl.app.uq.edu.au/content/3.10.02-assessment

Artificial Intelligence

The assessment tasks in this course evaluate students’ abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Applications for Extensions to Assessment Due Dates

Extension requests are submitted online via my.UQ – applying for an extension. Extension requests received in any other way will not be approved. Additional details associated with extension requests, including acceptable and unacceptable reasons, may be found at my.UQ.

Please note:

  • Requests for an extension to an assessment due date must be submitted through your my.UQ portal and you must provide documentation of your circumstances, as soon as it becomes evident that an extension is needed. Your application must be submitted on or before the assessment item's due date and time.
  • Applications for extension can take time to be processed so you should continue to work on your assessment item while awaiting a decision. We recommend that you submit any completed work by the due date, and this will be marked if your application is not approved. Should your application be approved, then you will be able to resubmit by the agreed revised due date.
  • If an extension is approved, you will be notified via your my.UQ portal and the new date and time for submission provided. It is important that you check the revised date as it may differ from the date that you requested.
  • If the basis of the application is a medical condition, applications should be accompanied by a medical certificate dated prior to the assignment due date. If you are unable to provide documentation to support your application by the due date and time you must still submit your application on time and attach a written statement (Word document) outlining why you cannot provide the documentation. You must then upload the documentation to the portal within 24 hours.
  • If an extension is being sought on the basis of exceptional circumstances, it must be accompanied by supporting documentation (eg. Statutory declaration).
  • For extensions based on a SAP you may be granted a maximum of 7 days (if no earlier maximum date applies). See the Extension or Deferral availability section of each assessment for details. Your SAP is all that is required as documentation to support your application. However, additional extension requests for the assessment item will require the submission of additional supporting documentation e.g., a medical certificate. All extension requests must be received by the assessment due date and time.
  • Students may be asked to submit evidence of work completed to date. Lack of adequate progress on your assessment item may result in an extension being denied.
  • If you have been ill or unable to attend class for more than 14 days, you are advised to carefully consider whether you are capable of successfully completing your courses this semester. You might be eligible to withdraw without academic penalty - seek advice from the Faculty that administers your program.
  • There are no provisions for exemption from an assessment item within UQ rules. If you are unable to submit an assessment piece then, under special circumstances, you may be granted an exemption, but may be required to submit alternative assessment to ensure all learning outcomes are met.

Applications to defer an exam

In certain circumstances you can apply to take a deferred examination for in-semester and end-of-semester exams. You'll need to demonstrate through supporting documentation how unavoidable circumstances prevented you from sitting your exam. If you can’t, you can apply for a one-off discretionary deferred exam.

Deferred Exam requests are submitted online via mySi-net. Requests received in any other way will not be approved. Additional details associated with deferred examinations, including acceptable and unacceptable reasons may be found at my.UQ.

Please note:

  • Applications can be submitted no later than 5 calendar days after the date of the original exam.
  • There are no provisions to defer a deferred exam. You need to be available to sit your deferred examination.
  • Your deferred examination request(s) must have a status of "submitted" in mySI-net to be assessed.
  • All applications for deferred in-semester examinations are assessed by the relevant school. Applications for deferred end-of-semester examinations are assessed by the Academic Services Division.
  • You’ll receive an email to your student email account when the status of your application is updated.
  • If you have a medical condition, mental health condition or disability and require alternative arrangements for your deferred exam you’ll need to complete the online alternative exam arrangements through my.UQ. This is in addition to your deferred examinations request. You need to submit this request on the same day as your request for a deferred exam or supplementary assessment. Contact Student Services if you need assistance completing your alternative exam arrangements request.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

Course webpage: Course material (including lecture notesᅠand assignments) will be regularly uploaded to the course webpage on Blackboard (https://learn.uq.edu.au/)

Computational resources:

Lectures and tutorials will include interactive exercises using computer software, includingᅠMathematica, Matlab, and QISKIT. ᅠStudents should have access to a local computer with suitable software installed including a Python distribution (Anaconda is recommended). ᅠMathematica and Matlab are available from UQ ITS for home useᅠat https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/information-technology/software-and-web-apps/software-uq/mathematica. ᅠStudents are welcome to useᅠother languages for numerical computation if they prefer.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

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Learning period Activity type Topic
Multiple weeks

From Week 1 To Week 13

Problem-based learning

Five assignments

Set assignments will be available on Blackboard.

Team Based Learning

Group problem solving activity / viva presentation

For a subset of the tutorial sections throughout the semester a subset of students will be selected to complete a viva style question, to be worked through and presented as a group (no external resources allowed beyond the course notes and textbook).

The assessment will proceed as follows:

- The selected group of students will attend the tutorial and be presented the question, and will be given 20 min. to prepare notes on the response.

- The students will then present their solution over the next 20 minutes with interactive questions from the lecturer.

- The students should ensure that all members of the group participate in the presentation and all the students in the group are expected to respond to questions.

Lecture

Lectures, tutorials, and problem solving

2 lectures per week, 1 tutorial: [LEC1 (2 hrs), LEC3 (1 hr), TUT (1hr)]. Note: Lectures will be presented live and available for delayed viewing via Blackboard. Tutorials will be presented live and not recorded.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.