Systems Architecture for Quantum Computers
Spring 2026 • Mon/Wed/Fri (50 mins) • MH 2522
Jan 20, 2026 – May 1, 2026 • 11:00 AM – 11:50 AM
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Course description: Quantum computers can solve problems that conventional computers can not. In this course, we cover how quantum computers are programmed and built—software, control, architecture, and keeping computations reliable.
Instructor: Swamit Tannu — swamit@cs.wisc.edu
Prerequisites: CS/ECE 252, MATH 340, or equivalent.
Class Time & Location
Meeting pattern: Monday, Wednesday, Friday (50 minutes)
Location: MH 2522
Term dates: Jan 20, 2026 – May 1, 2026
Lecture Schedule (by Date)
| Date | Topic |
|---|---|
| Week 1 – Qubits & state vectors: superposition, state vectors | |
| Week 1 – Quantum gates: single- & two-qubit (X, H, CNOT) | |
| Week 1 – Measurement postulates & simple circuits | |
| Week 2 – Entanglement: Bell states & correlations | |
| Week 2 – Quantum Circuit Analysis | |
| Week 2 – Quantum teleportation: protocol & analysis | |
| Week 3 – Circuit Puzzles-I; density matrices | |
| Week 3 – Circuit Puzzles-II | |
| Week 3 – Noise & decoherence channels (dephasing, T1/T2) | |
| Week 4 – Algorithms: Bernstein–Vazirani & quantum adder | |
| Week 4 – Grover search: oracle model & amplitude amplification | |
| Week 4 – QFT: circuit structure & use cases | |
| Week 5 – Variational algorithms I: VQE (ansätze, cost) | |
| Week 5 – Variational algorithms II: QAOA & training issues | |
| Week 5 – Error mitigation I: Zero-Noise Extrapolation (ZNE) | |
| Week 6 – Quantum compiler Intro | |
| Week 6 – Quantum compiler: IRs & cost models | |
| Week 6 – Quantum compiler: mapping, routing, scheduling | |
| Week 7 – Quantum architecture I: control stack & ISAs | |
| Week 7 – Quantum architecture II: timing, parallelism, feedback | |
| Week 7 – Midterm review & Q&A (midterm this week, evening; 25%, Scope- material covered in week 1 to 5) | |
| Week 8 – QEC I: Intro to Quantum Error Correction | |
| Week 8 – QEC I: Repetition Code | |
| Week 8 – QEC I: surface code | |
| Week 9 – QEC I: surface code | |
| Week 9 – QEC II: decoders (MWPM) | |
| Week 9 – QEC II: thresholds, overheads, architectures | |
| Week 10 – FT architecture I: FT control & scheduling | |
| Week 10 – FT architecture II: lattice surgery | |
| Week 10 – FT architecture II: Lattice Surgery | |
| Week 11 – Quantum compilers with QCE | |
| Week 11 – Mapping and Routing on FTQC | |
| Week 11 – Design exercise / mini-project | |
| Week 12 – Progress in hardware I: superconducting qubits | |
| Week 12 – Progress in hardware II: trapped ions & photonics | |
| Week 12 – Progress in hardware III: neutral atoms, spins, outlook | |
| Research talks – Session 1 | |
| Research talks – Session 2 | |
| Research talks – Session 3 | |
| Research talks – Session 4 | |
| Research talks – Session 5 |
Note: Spring Recess is Sat Mar 28 – Sun Apr 5, 2026.
Deadlines & Weights (all due Fri 11:59 PM CT)
| Deliverable | Coverage | Due | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qiskit Mini-Project | Weeks 1–4 | 10% | |
| Midterm (evening slot) | Week 6 | 20% | |
| Algorithms Mini-Project | Weeks 7–8 | 20% | |
| Compiler Mini-Project | Weeks 9–10 | 20% | |
| Architecture Mini-Project | Weeks 11–14 | 30% |
Assessments
Grading breakdown: Qiskit Mini-Project (10%), Midterm (20%), Algorithms Mini-Project (20%), Compiler Mini-Project (20%), Architecture Mini-Project (30%).
Participation: Engagement with instructors, TAs, and peers in class and online.
Resources
Recommended texts and papers: Notes on Quantum Algorithms · NAE Report on Quantum Computing
Software and tools: Python, Qiskit, WISQ Tools.
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