Description:

This course is an introductory course to the theory of DNA, quantum and, in general, unconventional computation for third year undergraduate students. It covers the following topics:

• A brief survey of classical models of computation such as Turing Machines.
• Introduction to unconventional computing paradigms.
• DNA computing. Adleman’s experiments.
• Introduction to quantum computing. Basic principles of quantum mechanics. Dirac’s formalism.
• The groundbreaking algorithms of Deutsch, Deutsch–Jozsa, Simon, Shor and Grover.
• Simulating quantum computation.
• The quantum computer D-Wave Advantage™ (quantum annealer) and the IBM Quantum System One™ (circuit model of quantum computation).

Aims – Learning Outcomes

This course aims to introduce students to the concept of unconventional computation and, in particular, quantum and DNA computing.

Upon successful completion of this course, the students will be able to:

• Understand in depth the concepts and paradigms of unconventional computation.
• Familiarize themselves with DNA computing and its potential for solving computationally difficult problems.
• Acquire a firm understanding of Quantum computing, its novel principles, its challenges for the designers of algorithms, and its potential for achieving Quantum Primacy.
• Become acquainted with the groundbreaking algorithms of Deutsch, Deutsch–Jozsa, Simon, Shor and Grover.

Syllabus:

Week #1: A brief survey of classical models of computation such as Turing Machines.

Week #2: Unconventional computing paradigms.

Week #3: Introduction to DNA computing.

Week #4: Adleman’s experiments and the potential for solving computationally difficult problems with DNA.

Week #5: Introduction to Quantum computing.

Week #6: Basic principles of quantum mechanics. Dirac’s formalism.

Week #7: The algorithms of Deutsch and Deutsch–Jozsa.

Week #8: Simon’s algorithm.

Week #9: Shor’s algorithm.

Week #10: Grover’s algorithm.

Week #11: Introduction to quantum cryptography and quantum games.

Week #12: Simulating quantum computation.

Week #13: The quantum computer D-Wave Advantage™ (quantum annealer) and the IBM Quantum System One™ (circuit model of quantum computation).

• “Κβαντική Υπολογιστική - Από τη Θεωρία στην Πράξη”, Σάββας Ηλίας, Σαμπάνη Μαρία, ΕΚΔΟΣΕΙΣ Α. ΤΖΙΟΛΑ & ΥΙΟΙ Α.Ε., 2022.
• ”Αρχές Κβαντικής Υπολογιστικής”, Μαρμόρκος Ιωάννης, Kάλλιπος, Ανοικτές Ακαδημαϊκές Εκδόσεις, 2024, ΑΘΗΝΑ.
• Κβαντική Υπολογιστική”, Καραφυλλίδης Ιωάννης, Εκδόσεις Ελληνικά Ακαδημαϊκά Ηλεκτρονικά Συγγράμματα και Βοηθήματα - Αποθετήριο "Κάλλιπος", ISBN 978-960-603-002-4, 2015.
  
  

Educational and learning methods:

• Face to face lectures
• The learning process is supported through the Ionian University e-learning platform (https://opencourses.ionio.gr/courses/DDI197/)

Evaluation methods:

Written exams (100%) including:

• creative thinking,
• analytic and synthetic ability,
• problem solving and
• elements of theory.

The above criteria are communicated to the students during the first teacher-student meeting.