Unit information: Topics in Quantum Engineering in 2019/20

Unit name	Topics in Quantum Engineering
Unit code	PHYSM0043
Credit points	10
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Dr. Jorge Barreto
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	Quantum information theory
School/department	School of Physics
Faculty	Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

Each quantum technology platform has its own strengths and weaknesses and there is currently no clear leader. At the same time, each platform has something to teach us about quantum engineering, and to best understand the subtleties of the field and identify opportunities for progress a quantum engineer needs detailed knowledge of them all. This unit provides training for Quantum Engineering students outside the regular classroom setting to accommodate new topics and seminars that arise in this rapidly developing field. The development of transferrable skills is fundamental in this unit, both by observation and by direct practice. One major theme of the unit is fostering the student’s evolution from an undergraduate mind-set to an independent, research-aware graduate student.

The course will consist of taught modules that will include lectures from experts, topical modules delivered by
students and structured discussion/debate about a platform’s suitability. This will be captured by the students in a platform database that will evolve year on year with the field. Each student will deliver one cohort learning module on a topic, approved by the Director, to the rest of the cohort. Each student will also organise either (i) a cohort incursion, where an approved visitor will deliver a presentation to the cohort, or (ii) excursion to an approved host.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the unit the student should:

• Be able to compare the advantages and drawbacks involved in quantum technology at large. -
• Be able to describe the ‘bigger picture’ in Quantum Engineering and its role beyond academia. -
• Be able to explain how each platform satisfies the fundamentals of quantum information processing. -
• Be able to identify the most adequate approach to implement a solution to a problem using a quantum information processing technology

Transferrable skills:

• Specific transferrable skills training in dedicated modules.
• The ability to organise and deliver training to peers (modules, workshops).
• The ability to Communicate technical material both in small and larger groups.
• Critical assessment of technologies.
• Formulating and defending one’s scientific opinion amongst others
• Summarising and communicating technical material at the level of current research.

Teaching Information

Graduate-style course consisting of lectures, seminars, group discussions, and learning modules.

Assessment Information

Summative assessment will be based 50% on peer-assessment of the modules delivered, and 50% assessed by the instructor on a written report (in the form of a literature review/database). The total amount of assessed written material will be no more than 4000 words, and the total amount of assessed non-written presentation will be no more than 1.5 hours; the exact weighting of each will depend upon the modules delivered.

Reading and References

Texts, reviews and research articles appropriate to each module, at the instructor’s discretion.