# 😺⚛️ Quantum Meowchanics

### Quantum Computing: From First Principles to AWS Braket

> _Where the cat is in a superposition of "understands quantum computing" and "does not" — until you measure it with the exercises._

> A self-paced, university-degree-equivalent program that takes you from the postulates of
> quantum mechanics to professional-level applied quantum computing on **AWS Braket**, using
> the [`amazon-braket-sdk-python`](https://github.com/amazon-braket/amazon-braket-sdk-python).

**Level:** upper-division undergraduate → early graduate (M.Sc. specialization).
**Assumed background:** linear algebra, calculus, probability/statistics, undergraduate physics,
strong Python, and comfort with proofs and abstraction.
**Total estimated effort:** ≈ **480–540 hours** of coursework + **40–80 hours** capstone
(+ ~75 hours for the optional [Pre-Term](pre-term-wave-mechanics/README.md)).

---

## How to Use This Program

1. **Read the dependency graph below first.** Lessons assume their prerequisites. The spine is
   linear (Term 0 → 1 → 2 → 3 → 5), with Term 4 branching off after Term 2 and feeding the capstone.
2. **Do the math by hand.** Every lesson has derivations and graded exercises (easy → hard) with
   solutions in collapsible `<details>` blocks. Attempt before you expand.
3. **Run the code.** From Term 1 onward, lessons pair theory with runnable
   [`amazon-braket-sdk-python`](https://github.com/amazon-braket/amazon-braket-sdk-python) code.
   Everything defaults to the **local simulator** (free). On-demand simulators and QPUs cost money —
   see the ⚠️ cost callouts and [Appendix A](appendix/A-braket-setup.md#5-cost-guardrails).
4. **Use the checkpoints.** Each lesson ends with self-assessment questions. If you can't answer
   them, re-read before moving on.
5. **Set up your environment once, early.** Work through [Appendix A — Braket Setup](appendix/A-braket-setup.md)
   and [Appendix B — Python/NumPy Refresher](appendix/B-python-numpy-refresher.md) before Term 1's
   first hands-on lesson.

### Conventions

| Element   | Convention                                                                                                  |
| --------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Math      | LaTeX: `$…$` inline, `$$…$$` block (renders on GitHub, Obsidian, MkDocs-Material).                          |
| Notation  | Dirac/bra–ket throughout; see [Appendix C — Notation & Glossary](appendix/C-notation-glossary.md).          |
| Code      | Fenced ```python blocks; self-contained and commented.                                                      |
| Diagrams  | Mermaid where supported; ASCII circuit diagrams as fallback.                                                |
| Citations | Keyed to [Appendix D — References](appendix/D-references-bibliography.md) (e.g. `[NC]` = Nielsen & Chuang). |
| Cost      | ⚠️ marks any step that incurs AWS charges. Local simulation is free.                                        |

---

## Program-Level Learning Outcomes

On completion you will be able to:

1. **Formalize** quantum states, operators, and measurements in Dirac notation over
   finite-dimensional Hilbert spaces, including density-matrix and open-system formalisms.
2. **Prove** core results: no-cloning, the CHSH/Bell bound, and the correctness of
   Deutsch–Jozsa, Grover, Shor, and the variational principle.
3. **Analyze** quantum speedups via query complexity and the BQP landscape — explaining _why_
   and _when_ quantum computing helps, and where it does not.
4. **Implement, debug, and benchmark** gate-based circuits and variational/hybrid algorithms on
   `amazon-braket-sdk-python` across local, on-demand (SV1/DM1/TN1), and QPU backends.
5. **Model noise**, apply error mitigation, and reason about quantum error correction and the
   trade-offs of superconducting, trapped-ion, and neutral-atom hardware.
6. **Deliver** a cost-aware, end-to-end project on real Braket infrastructure and report results
   like a practitioner.

---

## Dependency Graph

```mermaid
flowchart TD
    T0["Term 0\nMath & Computational Foundations"] --> T1["Term 1\nQuantum Mechanics"]
    T1 --> T2["Term 2\nQuantum Computing Core"]
    T2 --> T3["Term 3\nQuantum Algorithms"]
    T1 --> T4["Term 4\nNoise, Hardware & QEC"]
    T2 --> T4
    T2 --> T5["Term 5\nApplied: AWS Braket"]
    T3 --> T5
    T4 --> T5
    T3 --> CAP["Capstone"]
    T5 --> CAP

    PRE["Pre-Term\nClassical → Quantum"] -.-> T1
    PRE -.-> T4

    LAB["Lab thread:\nBraket setup (App. A)"] -.-> T1
    LAB -.-> T2
    LAB -.-> T3
    LAB -.-> T4
    LAB -.-> T5
```

**Key cross-term prerequisites** (beyond the linear spine):
density matrices (Term 1.5) → noise channels (Term 4.1) · QFT/QPE (Term 2.4) → Shor (Term 3.3) ·
variational methods (Term 3.5) → Hybrid Jobs (Term 5.5) ·
harmonic oscillator (Pre-Term P.5) → superconducting qubits (Term 4.4).

The **Pre-Term** (dotted) is optional: it covers the historical/wave-mechanics route into quantum
mechanics (classical mechanics → old quantum theory → Schrödinger equation → hydrogen & spin). It
can be taken in parallel with Term 0 and feeds intuition into Terms 1 and 4.

---

## Syllabus

Status legend: ✅ written · 🚧 in progress · ⬜ planned.

### Front Matter & Appendices

- ✅ [Appendix A — Braket Setup & Cost Guardrails](appendix/A-braket-setup.md)
- ✅ [Appendix B — Python/NumPy Refresher](appendix/B-python-numpy-refresher.md)
- ✅ [Appendix C — Notation & Glossary](appendix/C-notation-glossary.md)
- ✅ [Appendix D — References & Bibliography](appendix/D-references-bibliography.md)
- ✅ [Appendix E — Math Identities Cheat-Sheet](appendix/E-math-identities.md)

### [Pre-Term — From Classical to Quantum Mechanics](pre-term-wave-mechanics/README.md) · optional · 18 lessons, ~75 h

**Course P.1 — Theoretical Mechanics** `c01-theoretical-mechanics/`

- ✅ [Waves & the Wave Equation](pre-term-wave-mechanics/c01-theoretical-mechanics/01-waves-and-the-wave-equation.md)
- ✅ [Wave Propagation, Diffraction & Gratings](pre-term-wave-mechanics/c01-theoretical-mechanics/02-wave-propagation-diffraction.md)
- ✅ [Lagrangian Mechanics](pre-term-wave-mechanics/c01-theoretical-mechanics/03-lagrangian-mechanics.md)
- ✅ [Hamiltonian Mechanics](pre-term-wave-mechanics/c01-theoretical-mechanics/04-hamiltonian-mechanics.md)

**Course P.2 — Radiation & the Old Quantum Theory** `c02-radiation-old-quantum/`

- ✅ [Blackbody Radiation & Planck's Law](pre-term-wave-mechanics/c02-radiation-old-quantum/01-blackbody-radiation.md)
- ✅ [Atomic Models & Spectral Series](pre-term-wave-mechanics/c02-radiation-old-quantum/02-atomic-models-and-spectra.md)
- ✅ [Correspondence & the Limits of the Old Quantum Theory](pre-term-wave-mechanics/c02-radiation-old-quantum/03-correspondence-and-limits.md)

**Course P.3 — Wave–Particle Duality** `c03-wave-particle-duality/`

- ✅ [Light as Particles](pre-term-wave-mechanics/c03-wave-particle-duality/01-light-as-particles.md)
- ✅ [Matter as Waves](pre-term-wave-mechanics/c03-wave-particle-duality/02-matter-as-waves.md)

**Course P.4 — The Schrödinger Equation** `c04-schrodinger-equation/`

- ✅ [The Schrödinger Equation & the Born Rule](pre-term-wave-mechanics/c04-schrodinger-equation/01-schrodinger-equation-born-rule.md)
- ✅ [Stationary States & Superposition](pre-term-wave-mechanics/c04-schrodinger-equation/02-stationary-states-superposition.md)
- ✅ [Wave Packets, Uncertainty & the Momentum Operator](pre-term-wave-mechanics/c04-schrodinger-equation/03-matter-waves-uncertainty-momentum.md)

**Course P.5 — Bound States & 1D Potentials** `c05-bound-states/`

- ✅ [The Free Particle & Constant Potentials](pre-term-wave-mechanics/c05-bound-states/01-free-particle-constant-potentials.md)
- ✅ [Step, Well & Barrier](pre-term-wave-mechanics/c05-bound-states/02-step-well-barrier.md)
- ✅ [The Harmonic Oscillator](pre-term-wave-mechanics/c05-bound-states/03-harmonic-oscillator.md)

**Course P.6 — Angular Momentum & Central Potentials** `c06-angular-momentum/`

- ✅ [Central Potentials & Orbital Angular Momentum](pre-term-wave-mechanics/c06-angular-momentum/01-central-potentials-angular-momentum.md)
- ✅ [The Radial Equation & the Hydrogen Atom](pre-term-wave-mechanics/c06-angular-momentum/02-radial-equation-hydrogen.md)
- ✅ [Magnetic Moments, Stern–Gerlach & Spin](pre-term-wave-mechanics/c06-angular-momentum/03-magnetic-fields-stern-gerlach-spin.md)

### [Term 0 — Mathematical & Computational Foundations](term-0-foundations/README.md) · ~16 lessons, ~70 h

**Course 0.1 — Linear Algebra for Quantum Mechanics** `c01-linear-algebra/`

- ✅ [Complex Vector Spaces](term-0-foundations/c01-linear-algebra/01-complex-vector-spaces.md)
- ✅ [Inner Products & Norms](term-0-foundations/c01-linear-algebra/02-inner-products-norms.md)
- ✅ [Dirac Notation](term-0-foundations/c01-linear-algebra/03-dirac-notation.md)
- ✅ [Linear Operators & Matrices](term-0-foundations/c01-linear-algebra/04-linear-operators-matrices.md)
- ✅ [Eigenvalues & the Spectral Theorem](term-0-foundations/c01-linear-algebra/05-eigen-spectral-theorem.md)
- ✅ [Special Operators (Unitary/Hermitian/Projection)](term-0-foundations/c01-linear-algebra/06-special-operators.md)
- ✅ [Tensor Products](term-0-foundations/c01-linear-algebra/07-tensor-products.md)

**Course 0.2 — Probability, Statistics & Information** `c02-probability-information/`

- ✅ [Probability Spaces](term-0-foundations/c02-probability-information/01-probability-spaces.md)
- ✅ [Random Variables & Expectation](term-0-foundations/c02-probability-information/02-random-variables-expectation.md)
- ✅ [Classical Information Theory](term-0-foundations/c02-probability-information/03-classical-information-theory.md)

**Course 0.3 — Complex Analysis & Fourier Methods** `c03-fourier-methods/`

- ✅ [Complex Numbers & Functions](term-0-foundations/c03-fourier-methods/01-complex-numbers-functions.md)
- ✅ [Fourier Series & Transforms](term-0-foundations/c03-fourier-methods/02-fourier-series-transforms.md)
- ✅ [The Discrete Fourier Transform](term-0-foundations/c03-fourier-methods/03-discrete-fourier-transform.md)

**Course 0.4 — Classical Computation & Complexity** `c04-computation-complexity/`

- ✅ [Models of Computation](term-0-foundations/c04-computation-complexity/01-models-of-computation.md)
- ✅ [Complexity Classes](term-0-foundations/c04-computation-complexity/02-complexity-classes.md)
- ✅ [Reversible Computation](term-0-foundations/c04-computation-complexity/03-reversible-computation.md)

### [Term 1 — Quantum Mechanics](term-1-quantum-mechanics/README.md) · ~19 lessons, ~90 h

**Course 1.1 — The Postulates of Quantum Mechanics** `c01-postulates/`

- ✅ [The State Postulate](term-1-quantum-mechanics/c01-postulates/01-state-postulate.md)
- ✅ [Observables & the Measurement Postulate](term-1-quantum-mechanics/c01-postulates/02-observables-measurement-postulate.md)
- ✅ [The Evolution Postulate](term-1-quantum-mechanics/c01-postulates/03-evolution-postulate.md)
- ✅ [Composite Systems Postulate](term-1-quantum-mechanics/c01-postulates/04-composite-systems-postulate.md)

**Course 1.2 — Qubits, Superposition & the Bloch Sphere** `c02-qubits-bloch/`

- ✅ [The Qubit](term-1-quantum-mechanics/c02-qubits-bloch/01-the-qubit.md)
- ✅ [The Bloch Sphere](term-1-quantum-mechanics/c02-qubits-bloch/02-bloch-sphere.md)
- ✅ [Bases & Expectation Values](term-1-quantum-mechanics/c02-qubits-bloch/03-bases-and-expectation.md) · _first Braket code_

**Course 1.3 — Measurement** `c03-measurement/`

- ✅ [Projective Measurement](term-1-quantum-mechanics/c03-measurement/01-projective-measurement.md)
- ✅ [Expectation & Uncertainty](term-1-quantum-mechanics/c03-measurement/02-expectation-uncertainty.md)
- ✅ [POVMs & Generalized Measurement](term-1-quantum-mechanics/c03-measurement/03-povm-generalized.md)

**Course 1.4 — Entanglement & Composite Systems** `c04-entanglement/`

- ✅ [Multi-Qubit States](term-1-quantum-mechanics/c04-entanglement/01-multi-qubit-states.md)
- ✅ [Bell States](term-1-quantum-mechanics/c04-entanglement/02-bell-states.md)
- ✅ [Nonlocality & the CHSH Inequality](term-1-quantum-mechanics/c04-entanglement/03-nonlocality-chsh.md)
- ✅ [Schmidt Decomposition](term-1-quantum-mechanics/c04-entanglement/04-schmidt-decomposition.md)

**Course 1.5 — Density Matrices & Mixed States** `c05-density-matrices/`

- ✅ [The Density Operator](term-1-quantum-mechanics/c05-density-matrices/01-density-operator.md)
- ✅ [Partial Trace & Reduced States](term-1-quantum-mechanics/c05-density-matrices/02-partial-trace-reduced-states.md)
- ✅ [The Bloch Ball & Purity](term-1-quantum-mechanics/c05-density-matrices/03-bloch-ball-purity.md)

**Course 1.6 — Dynamics** `c06-dynamics/`

- ✅ [Time Evolution](term-1-quantum-mechanics/c06-dynamics/01-time-evolution.md)
- ✅ [Two-Level Dynamics & Rabi Oscillations](term-1-quantum-mechanics/c06-dynamics/02-two-level-rabi.md)

### [Term 2 — Quantum Computing Core](term-2-qc-core/README.md) · ~13 lessons, ~65 h

**Course 2.1 — Gates & Circuits** `c01-gates-circuits/`

- ⬜ [Single-Qubit Gates](term-2-qc-core/c01-gates-circuits/01-single-qubit-gates.md)
- ⬜ [Multi-Qubit Gates](term-2-qc-core/c01-gates-circuits/02-multi-qubit-gates.md)
- ⬜ [The Circuit Model](term-2-qc-core/c01-gates-circuits/03-circuit-model.md)
- ⬜ [Your First Braket Circuits](term-2-qc-core/c01-gates-circuits/04-braket-first-circuits.md) · _Braket deep intro_

**Course 2.2 — Universality & Circuit Identities** `c02-universality/`

- ⬜ [Universal Gate Sets](term-2-qc-core/c02-universality/01-universal-gate-sets.md)
- ⬜ [Circuit Identities & Decompositions](term-2-qc-core/c02-universality/02-circuit-identities-decompositions.md)
- ⬜ [The No-Cloning Theorem](term-2-qc-core/c02-universality/03-no-cloning.md)

**Course 2.3 — Foundational Protocols** `c03-protocols/`

- ⬜ [Superdense Coding](term-2-qc-core/c03-protocols/01-superdense-coding.md)
- ⬜ [Quantum Teleportation](term-2-qc-core/c03-protocols/02-quantum-teleportation.md)
- ⬜ [GHZ States & Entanglement Swapping](term-2-qc-core/c03-protocols/03-ghz-entanglement-swapping.md)

**Course 2.4 — Quantum Fourier Transform & Phase Estimation** `c04-qft-qpe/`

- ⬜ [The Quantum Fourier Transform](term-2-qc-core/c04-qft-qpe/01-quantum-fourier-transform.md)
- ⬜ [Phase Kickback](term-2-qc-core/c04-qft-qpe/02-phase-kickback.md)
- ⬜ [Quantum Phase Estimation](term-2-qc-core/c04-qft-qpe/03-quantum-phase-estimation.md)

### [Term 3 — Quantum Algorithms](term-3-algorithms/README.md) · ~18 lessons, ~95 h

**Course 3.1 — Query Algorithms** `c01-query-algorithms/`

- ⬜ [Oracles & the Query Model](term-3-algorithms/c01-query-algorithms/01-oracles-query-model.md)
- ⬜ [Deutsch–Jozsa](term-3-algorithms/c01-query-algorithms/02-deutsch-jozsa.md)
- ⬜ [Bernstein–Vazirani](term-3-algorithms/c01-query-algorithms/03-bernstein-vazirani.md)
- ⬜ [Simon's Algorithm](term-3-algorithms/c01-query-algorithms/04-simon-algorithm.md)

**Course 3.2 — Amplitude Amplification & Grover** `c02-grover/`

- ⬜ [Grover's Algorithm](term-3-algorithms/c02-grover/01-grovers-algorithm.md)
- ⬜ [Amplitude Amplification](term-3-algorithms/c02-grover/02-amplitude-amplification.md)
- ⬜ [Grover on Braket](term-3-algorithms/c02-grover/03-grover-on-braket.md)

**Course 3.3 — Shor's Algorithm** `c03-shor/`

- ⬜ [Number Theory for Shor](term-3-algorithms/c03-shor/01-number-theory-for-shor.md)
- ⬜ [Order Finding via QPE](term-3-algorithms/c03-shor/02-order-finding-qpe.md)
- ⬜ [Shor's Algorithm](term-3-algorithms/c03-shor/03-shors-algorithm.md)
- ⬜ [Shor on Braket](term-3-algorithms/c03-shor/04-shor-on-braket.md)

**Course 3.4 — Quantum Linear Algebra** `c04-hhl/`

- ⬜ [Hamiltonian Simulation & Trotterization](term-3-algorithms/c04-hhl/01-hamiltonian-simulation.md)
- ⬜ [The HHL Algorithm](term-3-algorithms/c04-hhl/02-hhl-algorithm.md)

**Course 3.5 — Variational Quantum Algorithms** `c05-variational/`

- ⬜ [The Variational Principle & VQE](term-3-algorithms/c05-variational/01-variational-principle-vqe.md)
- ⬜ [VQE on Braket](term-3-algorithms/c05-variational/02-vqe-on-braket.md)
- ⬜ [QAOA](term-3-algorithms/c05-variational/03-qaoa.md)
- ⬜ [QAOA on Braket](term-3-algorithms/c05-variational/04-qaoa-on-braket.md)

**Course 3.6 — Quantum Complexity Theory** `c06-complexity/`

- ⬜ [BQP & Quantum Complexity](term-3-algorithms/c06-complexity/01-bqp-quantum-complexity.md)

### [Term 4 — Noise, Hardware & Error Correction](term-4-noise-hardware/README.md) · ~14 lessons, ~75 h

**Course 4.1 — Open Quantum Systems & Noise** `c01-open-systems/`

- ⬜ [Open Systems & Decoherence](term-4-noise-hardware/c01-open-systems/01-open-systems-decoherence.md)
- ⬜ [Kraus Operators & Channels](term-4-noise-hardware/c01-open-systems/02-kraus-operators-channels.md)
- ⬜ [Common Noise Channels](term-4-noise-hardware/c01-open-systems/03-common-noise-channels.md)
- ⬜ [Noise Simulation on Braket](term-4-noise-hardware/c01-open-systems/04-noise-simulation-braket.md)

**Course 4.2 — Error Mitigation** `c02-error-mitigation/`

- ⬜ [Mitigation Techniques (ZNE, Readout, PEC)](term-4-noise-hardware/c02-error-mitigation/01-mitigation-techniques.md)
- ⬜ [Mitigation on Braket](term-4-noise-hardware/c02-error-mitigation/02-mitigation-on-braket.md)

**Course 4.3 — Quantum Error Correction** `c03-qec/`

- ⬜ [Classical vs. Quantum Codes](term-4-noise-hardware/c03-qec/01-classical-vs-quantum-codes.md)
- ⬜ [The Stabilizer Formalism](term-4-noise-hardware/c03-qec/02-stabilizer-formalism.md)
- ⬜ [Shor & Steane Codes](term-4-noise-hardware/c03-qec/03-shor-steane-codes.md)
- ⬜ [Surface Code Introduction](term-4-noise-hardware/c03-qec/04-surface-code-intro.md)

**Course 4.4 — Qubit Modalities & Hardware** `c04-hardware/`

- ⬜ [Superconducting Qubits](term-4-noise-hardware/c04-hardware/01-superconducting-qubits.md)
- ⬜ [Trapped-Ion Qubits](term-4-noise-hardware/c04-hardware/02-trapped-ion-qubits.md)
- ⬜ [Neutral-Atom & Photonic](term-4-noise-hardware/c04-hardware/03-neutral-atom-photonic.md)
- ⬜ [Benchmarking & Metrics](term-4-noise-hardware/c04-hardware/04-benchmarking-metrics.md)

### [Term 5 — Applied Quantum Computing on AWS Braket](term-5-braket/README.md) · ~18 lessons, ~95 h

**Course 5.1 — Braket Fundamentals** `c01-fundamentals/`

- ⬜ [Architecture & Setup](term-5-braket/c01-fundamentals/01-architecture-and-setup.md)
- ⬜ [Circuits, Gates & Result Types](term-5-braket/c01-fundamentals/02-circuits-gates-results.md)
- ⬜ [Program Types & IR](term-5-braket/c01-fundamentals/03-program-types-and-ir.md)

**Course 5.2 — Simulators** `c02-simulators/`

- ⬜ [Local Simulators](term-5-braket/c02-simulators/01-local-simulators.md)
- ⬜ [On-Demand Simulators (SV1, DM1)](term-5-braket/c02-simulators/02-on-demand-sv1-dm1.md)
- ⬜ [Tensor-Network Simulator (TN1)](term-5-braket/c02-simulators/03-tensor-network-tn1.md)

**Course 5.3 — Running on QPUs** `c03-qpus/`

- ⬜ [Devices & Paradigms](term-5-braket/c03-qpus/01-devices-and-paradigms.md)
- ⬜ [Tasks, Shots & Queues](term-5-braket/c03-qpus/02-tasks-shots-queues.md)
- ⬜ [Cost Awareness & Guardrails](term-5-braket/c03-qpus/03-cost-awareness-guardrails.md)
- ⬜ [Compilation & Device Constraints](term-5-braket/c03-qpus/04-compilation-constraints.md)

**Course 5.4 — Noise & Mitigation on Braket** `c04-noise-mitigation/`

- ⬜ [Noise Models on Braket](term-5-braket/c04-noise-mitigation/01-noise-models-on-braket.md)
- ⬜ [Mitigation on Hardware](term-5-braket/c04-noise-mitigation/02-mitigation-on-hardware.md)

**Course 5.5 — Hybrid Jobs** `c05-hybrid-jobs/`

- ⬜ [Braket Hybrid Jobs](term-5-braket/c05-hybrid-jobs/01-hybrid-jobs.md)
- ⬜ [Parametric Compilation & Batching](term-5-braket/c05-hybrid-jobs/02-parametric-compilation-batching.md)
- ⬜ [Variational Workloads at Scale](term-5-braket/c05-hybrid-jobs/03-variational-at-scale.md)

**Course 5.6 — PennyLane & Quantum ML** `c06-pennylane-qml/`

- ⬜ [The PennyLane–Braket Plugin](term-5-braket/c06-pennylane-qml/01-pennylane-braket-plugin.md)
- ⬜ [Quantum Machine Learning](term-5-braket/c06-pennylane-qml/02-quantum-machine-learning.md)
- ⬜ [QML on Braket](term-5-braket/c06-pennylane-qml/03-qml-on-braket.md)

### [Capstone — End-to-End Braket Project](capstone/README.md) · ~40–80 h

- ⬜ [Project Brief & Rubric](capstone/01-project-brief-rubric.md)
- ⬜ [Reference Project: QAOA MaxCut, End-to-End](capstone/02-reference-qaoa-maxcut.md)
- ⬜ [Alternative Projects](capstone/03-alternative-projects.md)

### [Resources — Supplementary Textbooks](resources/README.md) · ~32 h

Self-contained lesson sequences built alongside outside textbooks, for a second route up the same
mountain. Not a prerequisite for anything in Terms 0–5.

**Course R.1 — Introduction to the Quantum World (Freericks)** `c01-freericks-intro-quantum-world/`

- ✅ [Classical Stern-Gerlach Experiment](resources/c01-freericks-intro-quantum-world/01-classical-stern-gerlach.md)
- ✅ [Quantum Stern-Gerlach Experiment](resources/c01-freericks-intro-quantum-world/02-quantum-stern-gerlach.md)
- ✅ [Probability in the Quantum World](resources/c01-freericks-intro-quantum-world/03-probability-quantum-world.md)
- ✅ [The Conundrum of Projections](resources/c01-freericks-intro-quantum-world/04-conundrum-of-projections.md)

**Course R.2 — Advanced Quantum Mechanics of Spin (Freericks)** `c02-freericks-advanced-spin/`

- ✅ [The Analyzer Loop](resources/c02-freericks-advanced-spin/01-analyzer-loop.md)
- ✅ [Complementarity & Delayed Choice](resources/c02-freericks-advanced-spin/02-complementarity-delayed-choice.md)
- ✅ [Einstein, Podolsky, Rosen & Bell](resources/c02-freericks-advanced-spin/03-epr-and-bell.md)
- ✅ [Nuclear Magnetic Resonance & Imaging](resources/c02-freericks-advanced-spin/04-nuclear-magnetic-resonance.md)

### Questionnaires

Transcribed practice quizzes for re-study, one file per quiz
(`questionnaires/YYYY-MM-DD-topic-slug.md`, shape defined in
[questionnaires/TEMPLATE.md](questionnaires/TEMPLATE.md)). Each entry renders in the app with
its own open-study quiz.

- ✅ [Questionnaire 1.1.3 — Light](questionnaires/1.1.3-light.md)
- ✅ [Questionnaire 1.1.5 — Matter Waves](questionnaires/1.1.5-matter-waves.md)
- ✅ [Questionnaire 1.2.3 — Elementary Classical Mechanics](questionnaires/1.2.3-classical-mechanics.md)
- ✅ [Questionnaire 1.2.5 — Oscillations](questionnaires/1.2.5-oscillations.md)
- ✅ [Questionnaire 1.2.7 — The Classical Wave Equation](questionnaires/1.2.7-classical-wave-equation.md)
- ✅ [Questionnaire 1.3 — Quanta, Oscillators & Waves](questionnaires/1.3-quanta-oscillators-waves.md)
- ✅ [Questionnaire 2.1.2 — Plane Waves & Interference](questionnaires/2.1.2-plane-waves-interference.md)

---

## Estimated Hours by Term

| Term      | Focus                                            |  Lessons |        Hours |
| --------- | ------------------------------------------------ | -------: | -----------: |
| Pre       | From Classical to Quantum Mechanics _(optional)_ |       18 |          ~75 |
| 0         | Mathematical & Computational Foundations         |       16 |          ~70 |
| 1         | Quantum Mechanics                                |       19 |          ~90 |
| 2         | Quantum Computing Core                           |       13 |          ~65 |
| 3         | Quantum Algorithms                               |       18 |          ~95 |
| 4         | Noise, Hardware & Error Correction               |       14 |          ~75 |
| 5         | Applied Quantum Computing on AWS Braket          |       18 |          ~95 |
| —         | Capstone                                         |        4 |       ~40–80 |
| —         | Resources — Supplementary Textbooks _(optional)_ |        8 |          ~32 |
| **Total** |                                                  | **~128** | **~637–677** |

---

## Reference Spine

The program aligns its terminology and notation with these canonical sources (full list and
citation keys in [Appendix D](appendix/D-references-bibliography.md)):

- **[NC]** Nielsen & Chuang, _Quantum Computation and Quantum Information_ — primary spine.
- **[Pre]** Preskill, Caltech _Ph219/CS219_ lecture notes — depth, noise, QEC.
- **[Sak]** Sakurai & Napolitano, _Modern Quantum Mechanics_ — QM postulates & dynamics.
- **[Gri]** Griffiths & Schroeter, _Introduction to Quantum Mechanics_ — Pre-Term wave mechanics.
- **[Wat]** Watrous, _The Theory of Quantum Information_ — rigorous quantum info & channels.
- **[KLM]** Kaye, Laflamme & Mosca, _An Introduction to Quantum Computing_ — algorithm pedagogy.
- **[Aar]** Aaronson, _Quantum Computing Since Democritus_ — complexity intuition.
- **[AWS]** [Amazon Braket Developer Guide](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/braket/) & SDK docs — applied track.

---

## A Note on Time-Sensitive Material

Quantum hardware availability and AWS pricing change frequently. Code targets the current
`amazon-braket-sdk-python` (Python 3.11+) and is verified against the live SDK while each applied
lesson is written, but **always confirm device availability and pricing in the
[AWS Braket console](https://console.aws.amazon.com/braket/) before submitting paid tasks.**
Every charged operation is marked with ⚠️. No lesson submits a paid task automatically.

---

## 📱 The Web App

This curriculum ships with a static-first e-learning app (Angular 22) in `quantum-meowchanics-app/`:
a lesson reader with rendered LaTeX and Mermaid, open-study quizzes built from each lesson's
exercises, spaced-repetition flashcards, ⌘K full-text search, highlights & notes, a progress
dashboard with certification, audio review, and offline/PWA support. Everything is generated from
this repo — the syllabus above is the app's source of truth.

```bash
cd quantum-meowchanics-app
nvm use && npm install
npm start            # dev server → http://localhost:4200
npm run build        # fully prerendered static site → dist/
```

Docs live in `quantum-meowchanics-app/README.md` and `quantum-meowchanics-app/docs/`
(architecture, content-authoring conventions, features, development, deployment). When adding a
lesson: write the `.md`, add its ✅ line to the syllabus above, then run `npm run content:check`.