Quantum Information for Undergraduate Physics Majors, Computer Science Majors, and Advanced High-School Students

Since 2014 I have taught an introductory quantum information course for general STEM majors at Harvey Mudd and the Claremont Colleges. I report on the structure and content of this course, and its evolution over eight offerings so far. Since its inception, this quantum information course has enrolled the majority of its students from outside the physics major (chiefly computer science and mathematics majors). As interest in quantum information science has broadened even over the last eight years, I have adjusted materials and presentation to make the course accessible to a wider audience while maintaining the vision of a rigorous and ambitious introductory course. The current course is suitable for the motivated student with a minimal exposure to linear algebra -- matrix multiplication and calculating determinants -- and has been completed by students from all five of the Claremont Colleges as well as numerous advanced high-school students. In addition, as an experimental physicist, I discuss hands-on and laboratory instruction at the undergraduate level that supports and complements theoretical exposure to quantum information concepts and prepares undergraduate students for further experiences in the field.