Introduction to quantum computing

This course offers a mathematics grounded introduction to quantum computing with minimal reliance on quantum physics. Adopting an axiomatic approach, we begin with a small set of physics-informed computational assumptions and develop the theory in a deductive manner. The emphasis is on algorithmic principles and the mathematical structures that underpin quantum computation. The overall goal is to prepare students for a reading class on quantum machine learning in the spring semester of 2026.

References:
G. Nannicini, An Introduction to Quantum Computing, without the Physics, SIAM Review, 62, No. 4, (2020) 936-981.
P. Kaye, R. Laflamme, and M. Mosca, An Introduction to Quantum Computing, Oxford University Press, 2006.
M. A. Nielsen and I. Chuang, Quantum Computation and Quantum Information, Cambridge University Press, 2002.
J. M. Landsberg, A very brief introduction to quantum computing and quantum information theory for mathematicians, Quantum physics and geometry, 5–41, Lect. Notes Unione Mat. Ital., 25, Springer, Cham, 2019.
W. Scherer, Mathematics of Quantum Computing An Introduction, Springer, 2019.
J. Buchmann, Introduction to Quantum Algorithms, AMS, 2024.

3 hrs / week:

Thursdays 10.15-12.00 (room Simastuen 656 SB2)
Fridays 10.15-12.00 (room Simastuen 656 SB2)

Mandatory assignment: 1 project in groups of up to 4 students (submission deadline: November 30).

Exam: oral

Recommended background: Prior knowledge of linear algebra is helpful but not required.

To attend, please email kurusch.ebrahimi-fard @ ntnu.no and fride.straum @ ntnu.no, and register in Studentweb.

NB: We will have a meeting the week before the lectures start to give information about the course. This will be on Wednesday, 20. August at 09.00 in room Simastuen 656, SB2.

• Kurusch Ebrahimi-Fard
• Fride Straum