Introduction to Quantum Computer Architecture

Quantum computing cannot be understood through algorithms alone; it must be studied as a full systems stack spanning hardware, control, compilers, architecture, and error correction. This four-lecture crash course, based on our CS 639 class, introduces the key architectural ideas behind quantum computers from both the NISQ and fault-tolerant eras. We will cover how physical constraints shape mapping, routing, scheduling, and execution, and how quantum error correction fundamentally changes the design space. The course emphasizes cross-layer thinking and the tradeoffs between performance, reliability, and programmability. Its goal is to give students a practical systems perspective on how scalable quantum computers are built.