MA7012 - Quantum Computing and Applications (2026/27)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2026/27, but may be subject to modification | ||||||||||||
| Module title | Quantum Computing and Applications | ||||||||||||
| Module level | Masters (07) | ||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 20 | ||||||||||||
| School | School of Computing and Digital Media | ||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 200 | ||||||||||||
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| Running in 2026/27(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) | No instances running in the year |
Module summary
Quantum computers are rapidly moving from the realm of the hypothetical to the position that they could be extensively deployed in the next 20 years. If technological development continues in the way it has in recent years these novel devices will have a huge impact across almost all realms of computer science, cryptography and information security as a consequence of the significant speed up in search algorithms and processing.
The deployment of quantum computers offers significant opportunities but also threats – 21st century cybersecurity relies on cryptographic algorithms developed in the 20th century that may no longer be as robust as we need them to be and data may already be being harvested in the hope of future decryption.
On the positive side, quantum technology offers routes for secure key distribution and post quantum standards are already being developed that attempt to ensure continued security via the mathematics of lattices and of error correcting codes. The deployment of these is likely to be a major area of employment in cybersecurity in coming years.
Prior learning requirements
Normal Entry Requirements for the programmes
Syllabus
1. Review and consolidation of the required mathematics: matrix algebra; scalar and tensor products; polar coordinates; Fourier transforms; classical logic gates; Hermitian and Unitary operators. (LO1, LO2)
2. The architecture of quantum computers: historical development of quantum theory and the major hardware platforms (chosen from superconducting, trapped ion, photonic and annealing); qubits and quantum logic gates; bra-ket notation and the Bloch Sphere; construction of simple quantum circuits using simulation tools. Prediction and interpretation of results. Superposition and quantum entanglement. Noise, reliability and quantum error correction. Quantum Fourier Transforms. (LO2, LO3)
3. Search based problems and the speed up due to Grover’s algorithm. (LO3, LO4)
4. The development of post quantum standards for cryptography and cybersecurity. (LO4, LO5)
5. The impact of quantum computers; the content in the final part of the module will be tailored to be relevant for the disciplines that students are studying. For students of cryptography this will include Quantum Key Distribution, Shor’s Algorithm, its impact on public/private key systems and the development of quantum resistant algorithms to replace RSA/Diffie Hellman and Elliptic Curve systems (principally the Kyber/Dilithium standards based on lattice problems).
Students from Cybersecurity courses will review machine learning tools for fraud detection that are being developed for the post quantum world. (LO4, LO5)
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
The module has 200 learning hours. 3 hours per week contact is divided between lectures covering background, theory and examples and workshops in PC Labs which involve discussion of the ideas and an opportunity for you to practice the techniques and to develop proficiency in using simulation platforms such as Qiskit. and/or PennyLane. The remaining hours of private study are used for additional reading, developing skills and to produce the final assignment.
Learning outcomes
This module aims to enable students to:
LO1: Apply the mathematical techniques from linear algebra that underpin the construction of quantum circuits;
LO2: Understand the basic building blocks of quantum computers (simple quantum logic gates) and the way these can be combined to build solutions to problems.
LO3: Acquire familiarity with one or more platform for simulating quantum circuits (e.g. IBM Qiskit and/or PennyLane).
LO4: Appreciate how quantum technology allows existing processes to operate significantly faster than via the algorithms that classical systems can implement.
LO5: Explore how quantum computers are likely to impact their discipline in the future and how the world is preparing for this.
Bibliography
https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/F8652A9F-6CE9-F2D3-9598-BFF90CB972F9.html
R. J. Lipton and K. W. Regan, Introduction to quantum algorithms via linear algebra, en, 2nd ed.
London, England: MIT Press, 2021;
M. A. Nielsen and I. L. Chuang, Quantum Computation and Quantum Information, eng, 10th
anniversary ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2010;
National Institute of Standards and Technology, Nist announces first four quantum-resistant
cryptographic algorithms, [Online]. NIST. Available at: https://www.nist.gov/news- events/
news/2022/07/nist-announces-first-four-quantum-resistant-cryptographic-algorithms, 2022;
Pennylane, Pennylane hybrid quantum transfer learning example. [Online]. Available: https://
pennylane.ai/qml/demos/tutorial_quantum_transfer_learning.
N. A. Yanofsky and M. A. Mannucci, Quantum Computing for Computer Scientists. Cambridge Uni Press, 2008