Enquiry for Science Major/Minor/Programme Requirements
PHYS7352 Quantum information (6 credits) Academic Year 2026
Offering Department Physics Quota ---
Course Co-ordinator Prof H F Chau, Physics < hfchau@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (Prof H F Chau,Physics)
Course Objectives This course covers the theory of quantum information and computation and its applications in physics and computer science.
Course Contents & Topics Topics include: Quantum computer; quantum algorithms; quantum error correction; quantum information processing; quantum entanglement and quantum cryptography.
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 examine the advantage and disadvantage of quantum computing over classical computing
CLO 2 explain the inner workings of common quantum algorithms and quantum key distribution
CLO 3 analyze the performance of quantum algorithms and quantum error correction codes
CLO 4 apply quantum information techniques to solve problems in physics and computer science
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Pass in PHYS7351.
This course is mutually exclusive with PHYS8352.
Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core 2026 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2026 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2026 Minor in Astronomy ( Disciplinary Elective )
2026 Minor in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Minor in Astronomy ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Minor in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Minor in Astronomy ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Minor in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Minor in Astronomy ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Minor in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
Course to PLO Mapping 2026 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2026 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2025 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2025 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2024 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2024 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2023 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2023 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
Offer in 2026 - 2027 Y        2nd sem    Examination May     
Offer in 2027 - 2028 Y
Course Grade A+ to F
Grade Descriptors
A Demonstrate thorough mastery at an advanced level of extensive knowledge and skills required for attaining all the course learning outcomes. Show strong analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, with evidence of original thought, and ability to apply knowledge to a wide range of complex, familiar and unfamiliar situations. Apply highly effective organizational and presentational skills.
B Demonstrate substantial command of a broad range of knowledge and skills required for attaining at least most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to familiar and some unfamiliar situations. Apply effective organizational and presentational skills.
C Demonstrate general but incomplete command of knowledge and skills required for attaining most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to most familiar situations. Apply moderately effective organizational and presentational skills.
D Demonstrate partial but limited command of knowledge and skills required for attaining some of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some coherent and logical thinking, but with limited analytical and critical abilities. Show limited ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Apply limited or barely effective organizational and presentational skills.
Fail Demonstrate little or no evidence of command of knowledge and skills required for attaining the course learning outcomes. Lack of analytical and critical abilities, logical and coherent thinking. Show very little or no ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Organization and presentational skills are minimally effective or ineffective.
Communication-intensive Course N
Course Type Lecture-based course
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Lectures 36.0
Tutorials 12.0
Reading / Self study 80.0
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)		 Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Assignments 20.0 1,2,3,4
Examination 2-hour written exam 50.0 1,2,3,4
Test 30.0 1,2,3,4
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 Lecture notes provided by Course Coordinator
M A Nielsen and I L Chuang: Quantum Computation And Quantum Information (CUP, 2000)
V Vedral: Introduction To Quantum Information Science (OUP, 2006)
B. Schumacher & M. Westmoreland: Quantum Processes Systems, & Quantum Information (CUP, 2010)
M. M. Wilde: Quantum Information Theory (CUP, 2017, 2nd ed.)
J. J. G. Ripoll: Quantum Information & Quantum Optics With Superconducting Circuits (CUP, 2022)
H.-A. Bachor & T. C. Ralph: A Guide To Experiments In Quantum Optics (Wiley-VCH, 2019, 3nd ed.)
Course Website http://moodle.hku.hk
Additional Course Information


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