This course is part of a three-course series that provides an introduction to the theory and practice of quantum computation. We cover:

• the physics of information processing
• quantum logic
• quantum algorithms including Shor's factoring algorithm and Grover's search algorithm
• quantum error correction
• quantum communication and key distribution  

This course will help you establish a foundation of knowledge for understanding what quantum computers can do, how they work, and how you can contribute to discovering new things and solving problems in quantum information science and engineering.

The three-course series comprises:

• 8.370.1x: Foundations of quantum and classical computing – quantum mechanics, reversible computation, and quantum measurement
• 8.370.2x: Simple quantum protocols and algorithms – teleportation and superdense coding, the Deutsch-Jozsa and Simon’s algorithm, Grover’s quantum search algorithm, and Shor’s quantum factoring algorithm
• 8.370.3x: Foundations of quantum communication – noise and quantum channels, and quantum key distribution

Prior knowledge of quantum mechanics is helpful but not required. It is best if you know some linear algebra.

This course has been authored by one or more members of the Faculty of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Its educational objectives, methods, assessments, and the selection and presentation of its content are solely the responsibility of MIT. MIT gratefully acknowledges major support for this course, provided by IBM Research. This course on quantum information science is a collective effort to further advance knowledge and understanding in quantum information and quantum computing.

For more information about MIT’s Quantum Curriculum, visit quantumcurriculum.mit.edu.