Quick course information
- Schedule: Tu/Th 9:00-10:15 am
- Location: GRIS 133
- Instructor: Yuxiang Peng
- Email: yxpeng [at] purdue [dot] edu
- Office hours: TBA at DSAI 1100
- Submissions & Grades: Brightspace
- Calendar: weekly schedule
Course description
This seminar explores the design, implementation, and formal verification of programming languages and compiler toolchains for quantum computers. Students will study emerging paradigms for expressing quantum computation, techniques for optimizing and verifying quantum programs and compilers, and the integration of quantum programming into cloud computing platforms. Topics include intermediate representations, circuit optimization, type systems for quantum data, and formal verification frameworks for quantum programs.
Lectures on the introduction to these topics will be given in the first three fourth of the semester. Students will read and present seminal and recent research papers on these topics, finish small programming assignments, conduct a research-oriented final project, and write a final project report.
Prerequisites
Students should have graduate-level exposure to quantum computing. Prior experience in programming languages, compilers, or formal methods is recommended.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Explain core abstractions of quantum programming languages.
- Know how to code in multiple quantum programming languages.
- Know basic compilation strategies for quantum computers.
- Understand formal methods for verifying quantum programs.
- Evaluate hardware-software co-design issues in quantum systems.
- Conduct research in quantum algorithms, programming languages, and compilers.
Reading
Reading list includes but is not limited to:- Foundations of Quantum Programming — Mingsheng Ying
- Verified Quantum Computing — Robert Rand
- Quantum Computer Systems: Research for Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum Computers — Yongshan Ding, Frederic T. Chong
- Quantum Software: Aspects of Theory and System Design — Iaakov Exman, Ricardo Pérez-Castillo, Mario Piattini, Michael Felderer
Assignments & grading
| Component | Description | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Coding assignments | There will be 3 coding assignments, practicing students' skills in several quantum programming languages. Students will have chances to implement sophisticated quantum algorithms, compiler optimizations, and formal verifications for quantum programs. | 25% |
| Reading reports | Students will survey literature focusing on one selected topic in quantum algorithm implementation, programming language design, compiler optimization, or software technology for specific quantum hardware platforms. A survey report will be submitted and evaluated. | 25% |
| Midterm exam | One “pen-and-paper” midterm exam on the basic understanding of quantum programming languages and compiler design and implementations. | 25% |
| Final project | Students will conduct research in areas related to this course. A final report summarizing the findings of the students will be submitted and evaluated. | 25% |
Policies
Academic Integrity: Students must adhere to Purdue's academic integrity policies. It is encouraged to collaborate with classmates, and read any papers and textbooks, but it is always required to properly cite them. Usage of AI is allowed, while AI cannot be used to generate scientific understandings for reports: it is your obligation to make sure that your ideas and opinions in projects are your own understanding.
Accessibility: Purdue University strives to make learning experiences accessible to all participants. If you anticipate or experience physical or academic barriers based on disability, you are encouraged to contact the Disability Resource Center at: drc@purdue.edu or by phone: 765-494-1247, as soon as possible. If the Disability Resource Center (DRC) has determined reasonable accommodations that you would like to utilize in this class, you must send your Course Accommodation Letter to the instructor. Instructions on sharing your Course Accommodation Letter can be found here. Additionally, you are strongly encouraged to contact the instructor as soon as possible to discuss implementation of your accommodations..
Attendance: Regular attendance is expected but not mandatory, except on the midterm and presentations.