Week 10

Learning objectives

Upon finishing this learning module, you should be able to:

Describe what quantum computing is and why we are interested in it
Argue why some problems cannot be solved by an algorithm
Write python code to do simple data processing

Quiz 4 is open this Thurs-Saturday

Class Schedule

First Class Meeting

Future of Computing

Independent:

Programming - Ch 31 Reading (We are skipping Chapter 30!)

Second Class Meeting

Algorithm of the Week - Computability

Independent:

Programming - Complete Ch 31

Programming

Do the following assignments based on Programming chapters from Welcome To CS. Completion assignments are graded for accuracy. Reading assignments are graded for attempting all of the interactive elements on the assigned pages.

Ch 31 - Reading & Completion (We are skipping Chapter 30!)

Make sure you are logged into the book so your work is saved and you get credit. The surest way to make sure you are logged in is to start the programming assignment by clicking on the button in the corresponding assignment in Elearn.

Future of Computing

Read Welcome to CS Ch 11 on the Limits and Future of Computing. It discusses the algorithmic and engineering limitations computation faces, as well as one possible future technology: quantum computing.
Optional: A more detailed description of how quantum computing works.

Algorithm of the Week: Computability

Read Ch 10 of Nine Algorithms book. It explores the idea of computability and how we know some things are uncomputable (and have since before there were computers!).

This Computability supplement has a video that briefly recaps the halting problem and has an optional video with more information about Turing machines.

Finals Week Prep

The final is cumulative. If you want to get a head start on studying, the best thing to do is go back and review the earlier quizzes and assignments.