SemiAcademy micro-credential
Quantum Computing Intermediate
The second of three quantum computing micro-credentials. Teleportation, the quantum Fourier transform, Grover's and Shor's algorithms, preparing circuits for real IBM hardware, and VQE and QAOA, ending with your own experiment on a noisy quantum computer. Labs run in your browser or in Colab; a run on a real IBM quantum computer is optional.
At a glance
- Time needed
- About 25.5 hours, at your own pace
- Level
- Intermediate
- Who it is for
- Learners who have finished Quantum Computing Foundations, and STEM students and professionals who already write simple quantum circuits in Python
- Prerequisites
- Quantum Computing Foundations, or similar background (Python, Qiskit-style circuits, and one- and two-qubit gates).
- Format and what you need
- Online and self-paced; a web browser. Every lab runs in the browser; two labs also have a Colab version, which needs a free Google account. A free IBM Quantum account is needed only for the optional run on real hardware.
- Badge
- Quantum Computing Intermediate digital badge
What you will be able to do
- Build and explain the quantum Fourier transform and Grover's search, and use phase estimation and order finding in prepared circuits, with Qiskit-compatible circuit commands
- Explain why Shor's algorithm threatens RSA encryption and what post-quantum cryptography changes
- Prepare a circuit for real hardware with the transpiler, and judge the cost of its depth and two-qubit gates
- Run and adapt variational algorithms (VQE and QAOA) for small chemistry and optimization problems
- Run an experiment on a noisy simulator and report its results, their uncertainty and their limits. Running it on a real quantum computer is an optional extension.
How the course is organized
- Start Here — Module 0: Dynamic Circuits and Teleportation
- Module 1 — The Quantum Fourier Transform and Phase Estimation
- Module 2 — Grover's Search
- Module 3 — Shor's Algorithm and Period Finding
- Module 4 — Running on Real Hardware
- Module 5 — Variational Algorithms, VQE and QAOA
- Module 6 — Mini-Project
- Course Completion
How to earn the badge
Every item in this list is required on its own. A high total cannot make up for a failed lab check or quiz: for example, 6 of 10 on one lab check means that module is not complete, even with 20 of 20 on its quiz.
- Lab checks, Modules 0 to 5 (six): at least 8 of 10 on every one (10 points each, 60 in all).
- Module quizzes, Modules 1 to 5 (five): at least 16 of 20 on every one (20 points each, 100 in all).
- Mini-project quiz, Module 6 (the one for the experiment you chose, of the four): at least 16 of 20 (20 points).
- Final quiz, Course Completion: at least 16 of 20 (20 points).
- Course total: 90% or better, which is at least 180 of 200 points.
- Experiment summary, at the start of Course Completion: submitted (not graded).
- Post-course survey, in Course Completion: submitted (not graded).
Only your best project quiz counts. The four project quizzes have their own group in Grades, "Module 6 Project Quiz (your best one counts)", which keeps the highest score and drops the other three, so the course total is out of 200 points. Passing your project quiz (16 or more) is what completes Module 6 and opens Course Completion. Your Module 6 experiment runs on a noisy simulator. A run on a real IBM quantum computer is optional, and the badge does not depend on it.