ACIT4321 Quantum Information Technology Course description

Quantum information technology implements quantum phenomena to process information and communicate it beyond the limits of the classical world. According to the EU Quantum Technologies Flagship report, such technology is based on the following pillars:

• Quantum computation
• Quantum communication
• Quantum simulation
• Quantum metrology and sensing

This course will introduce students to the first three of these fields, by equipping them with knowledge of principles, ideas, and methods. Many of these methods are also applicable within several other fields.

Prior knowledge in quantum physics is not required. The first few weeks of the course is dedicated to an introduction to key concepts in quantum physics. These concepts are introduced in a practical manner - with emphasis on simulation and phenomenology rather than theory.

The students will be trained to create their own quantum algorithms, simulate quantum systems, and implement the corresponding programs on classical and quantum computers. By implementing calculations and simulations of quantum systems, the students will learn about the fundamental quantum phenomena and key concepts. Moreover, in order to lay the proper foundation, the fundamental concepts of classical information theory is introduced.

A selection of recently published quantum algorithms and methods, including communication protocols, computational methods of modern quantum physics, and optimization algorithms, will be presented and analysed. Particular focus will be given to applications in data science in order to address research challenges in sustainable systems. Finally, the most recent challenges and particular proof of concept problems, including so-called quantum supremacy, will be addressed.

Public health work is society's organised effort to maintain, improve and promote the population's health, both locally and globally. Interventions are directed towards factors that contribute to better health and factors that might represent a health risk. Public health work is concerned with reducing health inequalities through work on equity, accessibility and quality of services. An increase in disease rates, long term conditions and lifestyle illnesses are expected in the future. This is a consequence of demographic changes and a result of people's health behaviour. Competence in interprofessional collaboration in both public and private sectors is crucial to meeting challenges. Regulation: Lov om universiteter og høyskoler and Forskrift om studier og eksamen ved Høgskolen i Oslo og Akershus

Students taking the course should be familiar with elementary calculus, including the concepts of complex numbers and numerical methods, and with basic linear algebra. Moreover, the students should be in command of a programming language/computing environment such as, e.g., Python, MATLAB or C(++).

In this regard, it is worth mentioning that some relevant mathematical and numerical concepts will be revised during the the first lectures.

A student who has completed this course should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

On successful completion of the course the student

• is familiar with fundamental key concepts within information theory such as Shannon Entropy, noiseless and noisy-channel coding theorems, and optimal coding algorithms.
• knows what a qubit is and how the information content grows when qubits are connected.
• is familiar with the elementary operations, or gates, of quantum computing - including gates such as the Hadamard gate and CNOT.
• knows the present state of the art when it comes to existing quantum computers.
• can implement simple quantum algorithms and run them on actual quantum computers.
• knows basic quantum communication protocols such as key distributions and secret sharing and understands the ideas behind them
• is familiar with several methods, such as Shor’s algorithm and quantum annealing, which enables quantum computers to solve problems considerably faster than classical computers.
• is familiar with how quantum technology affects traditional encryption schemes, and provides novel ones.

Skills

On successful completion of the course the student

• is able to model and simulate numerically simple quantum systems and processes - both on classical and quantum computers.can independently devise, implement and run calculations and simulations of simple quantum systems.
• can design her/his own quantum algorithms.

General competence

On successful completion of the course the student

• is familiar with several phenomena specific to quantum physics - such as quantization, particle interference, collapse of the wave function, particle spin, entanglement and decoherence - and how they may manifest themselves within quantum computing.
• is familiar with how information may be described by quantitative means - both within a classical and a quantum context.
• knows how to revise and improve on implementations of quantum programs.
• can address some of the practical challenges related to building quantum computers.
• knows the importance of quantum computing within information technology and the open challenges yet to be solved in this scope.

The teaching is organized in sessions where the subject material is presented, and in sessions where the students solve problems on their laptops and prototype quantum computers. The latter is done using online cloud platforms currently provided by enterprises such as, e.g., IBM and D-Wave. Between these sessions, the students are expected to work independently, using their computers, access to quantum computers, and course notes.

In the last stage of the course, the students are required to complete and present an individual project that involves (i) simulation of a quantum system/process, (ii) simulation of a quantum communications protocol, or (iii) creation of a quantum code and its implementation on a quantum processor using an online cloud platform. The project should be concluded by submitting a report which provides a description of the project, its motivation and implementation, and an analysis the obtained results.

None

The assessment will be based on a portfolio of the following:

• One individual project delivery consisting of a report (2000 - 4000 words)
• An individual oral examination (30 minutes)

The portfolio will be assessed as a whole and cannot be appealed.

New/postponed exam

In case of failed exam or legal absence, the student may apply for a new or postponed exam. New or postponed exams are offered within a reasonable time span following the regular exam. The student is responsible for registering for a new/postponed exam within the time limits set by OsloMet. The Regulations for new or postponed examinations are available in Regulations relating to studies and examinations at OsloMet.

In the event of a postponed examination in this course the exam may be held as an oral exam. Oral exams cannot be appealed.

All aids are permitted, provided the rules for plagiarism and source referencing are complied with.

For the oral exam, students will only have access to the project report.

Grade scale A-F.

Two internal examiners. External examiner is used periodically.

Sergiy Denisov

Part I - The Scope of Global Public Health

5 ECTS.

On successful completion of this part, the student will achieve the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The student is able to

• describe the challenges in welfare systems, relevant national legislation, and international agreements
• describe the past, and present developments and achievements of public health and discuss possible future challenges within the field
• describe social inequalities in health and their consequences nationally and globally
• describe epidemiology and different cost analyses, and discuss inter-professional, evidence-based interventions with target groups
• discuss the principles of universal design from a human rights and democratic perspective

Skills

The student is able to

• address challenges in public health and demonstrate how to intervene professionally in collaboration with others
• search for relevant research, analyse these and apply to the findings in their assignment

General competences

The student is able to

• apply the tools of innovation and entrepreneurship in public health issues and communicate the results to an audience

reflect upon ethical issues and discuss intercultural perspectives in public health

Part II - Environmental Conditions and Population Health

5 ECTS.

On successful completion of this part, the student will achieve the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The student is able to

• discuss the interactions between the environment and sustainable development, and their effect on health
• describe health care emergency interventions following different types of disasters, and discuss challenges encountered
• discuss interprofessional interventions focusing on communicable and non-communicable diseases, including mental conditions
• describe how interprofessional practice might contribute to improve and promote mental health
• describe the distribution of different types of injuries nationally and globally and how to prevent them
• discuss how to promote occupational health and to prevent occupational health hazards
• discuss theoretical models for behavioral change and their application

Skills

The student is able to

• reflect upon priorities in public health and the consequences for population health
• demonstrate communication skills to improve health literacy and social capital through social marketing and reflect on intervention strategies and their efficacy
• reflect upon a comprehensive view of humanity and human rights

General competences

The student is able to

• reflect upon diversity and how different ethnic, religious and cultural background may influence communication between people
• demonstrate how to disseminate public health knowledge collaboratively with target groups and stakeholders
• apply research methods in solving public health problems

Part III - Family Health

5 ECTS.

On successful completion of this part, the student will achieve the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The student is able to

• discuss theoretical models for behavioral change and their application
• reflect on the complexity of health determinants throughout the life cycle
• discuss the role of activities and social participation in health promotion (occupational science)
• describe national and global vaccination programs, and discuss their impact and challenges involved including ethical issues

Skills

The student is able to

• reflect upon communication and collaboration within an interprofessional team
• develop interactive and critical health education information to improve family health
• identify and describe different information channels to promote health education and knowledge sharing

General competences

The student is able to

• reflect upon ethical issues, conflicts in personal values, and interprofessional approaches in family health
• reflect upon the role of public-private partnership as an asset in public health
• describe social entrepreneurship and societal transformation as a tool for implementation of a public health activity

Part IV - Interprofessional Health Care in International Public Health

3 ECTS.

On successful completion of this part the student will achieve the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The student is able to

• describe the core elements of their own profession in health and social services in their own country, and discuss the contribution to interprofessional collaboration
• describe strategies and decision-making in health and social services, and discuss different approaches in health promotion

Skills

The student is able to

• reflect upon clinical reasoning in evidence based practice, from the perspective of client-centered theories
• reflect upon ethical dilemmas in their own profession
• apply health care processes and procedures to promote interventions for individuals and groups

General competences

The student is able to

• communicate intercultural awareness and reflect on ethical dilemmas

Part V - Fieldwork Assignment

12 ECTS.

On successful completion of this part the student will achieve the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The student is able to

• integrate knowledge from International Public Health and utilize a reflective and analytic perspective to explore a chosen topic

Skills

The student is able to

• plan, organise and implement a project based on scientific methods
• reflect upon existing activities and suggest changes that might be done within the actual setting to promote Public Health

General competences

The student is able to

• reflect upon ethical dilemmas
• reflect upon the role of one's own profession