Hands-On Quantum Programming with Qiskit
This 2-day intensive course introduces participants to quantum computing using Qiskit, IBM’s open-source SDK for working with quantum computers.
Participants will learn how to create quantum circuits, simulate them, and execute them on real quantum hardware via the IBM Quantum cloud platform.
The course combines theory, hands-on programming labs, and real-world examples, making quantum computing tangible and immediately accessible.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the core principles of quantum computing (qubits, gates, measurement).
- Build, simulate, and run quantum circuits using Qiskit.
- Perform simple quantum algorithms (e.g., Bell states, Grover’s search).
- Interpret quantum circuit outputs (statevectors, probability distributions).
- Execute quantum circuits on IBM’s real quantum computers via cloud access.
- Understand basic error sources and noise modeling.
Target Audience:
- Software Developers interested in quantum programming
- AI/ML Engineers looking to expand into quantum ML
- Physicists and Mathematicians moving toward applied quantum tech
- Data Scientists and Researchers
- Technical Managers who want hands-on knowledge of emerging technologies
Prerequisites:
- Basic programming experience in Python (functions, variables, loops)
- Basic linear algebra helpful (vectors and matrices), but not required
- No prior quantum computing experience necessary
Day 1 Agenda:
Module 1: Introduction to Quantum Computing
- Classical vs Quantum Computing
- What is a Qubit? Superposition, Entanglement, Measurement
- Quantum Gates: Single-qubit (X, Y, Z, H) and Multi-qubit (CNOT)
- Visualizing Qubit States: Bloch Sphere
Exercise 1: Simulate a single qubit in superposition using Qiskit.
Module 2: Setting Up and Getting Started with Qiskit
- Installing and configuring Qiskit
- Overview of Qiskit modules: Terra, Aer, IBMQ
- Introduction to QuantumCircuit class
- Drawing and interpreting quantum circuits
- Running circuits on local simulators
Lab 1: Build your first quantum circuit — create and measure a basic Hadamard-transformed qubit.
Module 3: Building and Executing Quantum Circuits
- Circuit creation: Qubit registers and classical registers
- Circuit execution: Backend selection (simulators)
- Measuring and retrieving results (bitstrings and probabilities)
Lab 2: Create a two-qubit entangled Bell state, simulate, and plot the results.
Module 4: Visualization and Debugging Tools
- draw(): Circuit diagrams
- plot_bloch_multivector: Bloch sphere visualization
- plot_histogram: Measurement results
- Statevector visualization: Understanding output states
Exercise 2: Explore how different gate sequences affect qubit states.
Day 2 Agenda:
Module 5: Working with Real Quantum Hardware
- IBM Quantum Experience platform overview
- Setting up IBMQ account and API token
- Choosing real devices (e.g., ibmq_quito, ibmq_lima)
- Differences between simulation and hardware execution (noise, errors)
Lab 3: Connect to IBMQ, submit a Bell state circuit to a real quantum computer, and retrieve results.
Module 6: Quantum Algorithms with Qiskit
- Introduction to quantum algorithms
- Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm
- Grover’s Search algorithm
- Circuit decomposition for algorithms
Lab 4: Implement and run the Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm on a simulator.
Module 7: Noise, Errors, and Mitigation
- Understanding noise models
- Simulating noisy circuits with Qiskit Aer
- Basic error mitigation techniques (calibration, error-aware compilation)
Exercise 3: Simulate a noisy Bell state and analyze how noise affects entanglement.
Module 8: Advanced Topics and Resources
- Introduction to Qiskit Machine Learning and Nature modules
- Qiskit Pulse and access to pulse-level control (preview)
- How to pursue more advanced certifications (e.g., IBM Certified Associate Developer – Quantum)
Discussion: Next steps in quantum programming — building real applications.
Final Deliverables:
- Participant Certificate (optional)
- Full Jupyter Notebook Pack (course examples + extra practice)
- Access to resource pack: cheat sheets, useful references, practice problems
- Optional: Final mini-project (e.g., build a small 3-qubit Grover Search circuit)
Materials Provided:
- Course Slide Deck (PDF)
- Participant Workbook (exercises + solutions)
- Example Codes and Templates
- Access to IBM Quantum Experience (free tier)