Quantum computing, collapse, and consciousness.

This course will look at two fundamental aspects of nature and their possible connection: quantum theory and consciousness. We will cover the basics of quantum computing, the measurement problem in quantum mechanics and mathematical modelling of consciousness. 

The first week of the course will focus on quantum computing.  We will introduce all the basic definitions from quantum theory and computation, and finish by describing Shor's quantum algorithm for the factorisation of integers. 

In the second week we will look more closely at the notion of measurement in quantum theory. We will discuss the measurement problem and possible solutions, focusing on collapse models. We will then discuss the mathematical modelling of consciousness and use collapse models as a possible scientific theory of consciousness.  The course will only assume good knowledge of linear algebra. 

Some knowledge of differential equations is recommended but not essential.