How can you learn quantum computing when you have never used a quantum computer? That’s the big question that MIT xPRO’s support team gets from professionals who are interested in earning a Quantum Computing Fundamentals certificate, but don’t feel prepared for a two-course online program.
Taught by MIT faculty, Quantum Computing Fundamentals makes foundational quantum computing knowledge accessible and actionable with industry case studies and hands-on algorithm practice with the IBM Q Experience. Believe it or not, many learners who complete MIT xPRO’s quantum computing (QC) certificate program don’t have a computer science or engineering background. There are no prerequisites to earn an MIT xPRO Quantum Computing Fundamentals program certificate, but a little preparation could help you get the most out of your coursework.
Reviewing these 3 free resources will help you:
- Brush up on Linear Alegebra. This MIT OpenCourseware course highlights key applications in MIT Professor Strang’s textbook Introduction to Linear Algebra. Emphasis is given to topics like vector spaces, determinants, eigenvalues, similarity, and positive definite matrices.
- Get a refresher on quantum physics. This MIT OpenCourseware course covers the experimental basis of quantum physics. It introduces wave mechanics, Schrödinger's equation in a single dimensionand in three dimensions.
- Play with Qiskit. MIT xPRO’s online Quantum Fundamentals program does not require a background in Qiskit, but the program courses do cover this open source software as part of the IBM Q Experience Models of quantum noise and quantum channels.
Qiskit is an open source software development kit (SDK) for working with quantum computers at the level of pulses, circuits and algorithms. The Qiskit website includes multiple free textbooks and tutorials that are worth reviewing before you dive into a hands-on quantum computing course.
The time to learn about quantum computing is now. By taking advantage of these online learning resources, we hope that you can get beyond the quantum hype and begin solving problems and driving innovation in your organization.
