ECE 4120 – Fundamentals of Quantum Engineering (3C)

Course Description

Introduction to fundamental concepts and engineering principles of quantum physics, quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum sensing. The quantum physics section includes quantum states, superposition, entanglement, quantum measurements. The quantum computing section includes quantum bits, gates, circuits, algorithms, and quantum error correction.

The quantum communication section includes toy models for quantum key distribution and quantum teleportation. The quantum sensing section includes solid-state quantum defect sensors and single photon detection. Software quantum simulators will also be introduced, providing hands-on experience with quantum gates, measurements, and algorithms.

Why take this course?

Recent advances in quantum science and technologies have demonstrated quantum supremacy over classical devices and circuits in sensing, communication, and computing. In both industries and academia, there are growing needs for engineers to understand, design, build, and optimize systems involving quantum technologies. Engineering students need to be well prepared for the emerging quantum technologies, which are not systemically taught by existing courses in Engineering.

This course is designed to bridge the knowledge of an Engineering student to the quantum era. This course will introduce fundamentals of quantum engineering from basic quantum concepts, quantum computing schemes, to quantum communication protocols and quantum sensers; and importantly discuss the difference between classical and quantum systems.

Learning Objectives

• Differentiate between quantum and classical devices.
• Explain what is quantum advantage.
• Examine various quantum systems.
• Analyze quantum gates and operations using physical devices.
• Create and simulate gate-based quantum circuits.
• Analyze the quantum communication protocols for secure communications.
• Design quantum sensors using various quantum systems.