CMSC457 | PlanetTerp

Information	Review
Runzhou Tao CMSC457 Expecting an A+ Anonymous 05/23/2025	This class is hard and will probably be your biggest commitment for the semester. Find a good group to work on the homeworks with. Do exercises in the textbook in preparation for exams. Make sure you have a strong understanding of linear algebra. The lectures were alright, but sometimes felt weak conceptually and mathematically. After reading the assigned text, the lectures suffice in filling in any gaps. I strongly suggest reading the assigned parts of the textbook before every class. This class was 40% homeworks (3 written assignments, 2 coding), 20% midterm, 20% final, and 20% research project. The written homeworks were tough, but had many opportunities for extra credit. The coding homeworks were very short and easy. The midterm was very tough. The final was a bit easier (potentially because I finally locked in), had multiple choice extra credit, and was online/open-note. The group research project could either be a summary of past research or include an original contribution. We were expected to write at least 10 pages and give a presentation to the class. The grading was pretty lenient. In both exams, the grade was made to be out of 50 instead of 54 (on the midterm) or 60 (on the final) which helped a lot. We also had a chance for extra credit by presenting on the first day (right before the final). He’ll make sure there is enough extra credit for a good grade distribution. Our online final was week 13, then we did presentations. Before that, we had a few light coding lectures and 3 special topic lectures by the TAs that were only tested by extra credit multiple choice questions on the final. This class felt very front-loaded. If you get through that, the special topics, coding, and presentations will be easy.
Xiaodi Wu CMSC457 Anonymous 06/14/2023	Professor Wu has very high expectations for the course. Although programming projects are straightforward, homeworks are very difficult without knowledge of certain linear algebra tricks that aren't taught in class. Fortunately some of the homework problems are straight from the readings. Focus on the homeworks for the exams. There is a group project, ensure that everyone in the group does their fair share. The cutoff for an A is pretty high (95% I think). Although you can do well this class with the minimum math prerequisites, I wouldn't recommend it unless you are more than just merely curious about quantum computing.
Xiaodi Wu CMSC457 Expecting an A Anonymous 05/24/2020	Quite a difficult course. I'd suggest taking MATH405 prior, and having familiarity with the theorems in chapters 8 and 10 of Hoffman and Kunze. Professor Wu is above-average in communicating concepts. He doesn't just regurgitate from a single book, and pulls from a lot of different texts; so the class is definitely not boring. He can be unapproachable at times, but he does encourage participation and asking questions.

Runzhou Tao
CMSC457

Expecting an A+
Anonymous
05/23/2025

This class is hard and will probably be your biggest commitment for the semester. Find a good group to work on the homeworks with. Do exercises in the textbook in preparation for exams. Make sure you have a strong understanding of linear algebra. The lectures were alright, but sometimes felt weak conceptually and mathematically. After reading the assigned text, the lectures suffice in filling in any gaps. I strongly suggest reading the assigned parts of the textbook before every class. This class was 40% homeworks (3 written assignments, 2 coding), 20% midterm, 20% final, and 20% research project. The written homeworks were tough, but had many opportunities for extra credit. The coding homeworks were very short and easy. The midterm was very tough. The final was a bit easier (potentially because I finally locked in), had multiple choice extra credit, and was online/open-note. The group research project could either be a summary of past research or include an original contribution. We were expected to write at least 10 pages and give a presentation to the class. The grading was pretty lenient. In both exams, the grade was made to be out of 50 instead of 54 (on the midterm) or 60 (on the final) which helped a lot. We also had a chance for extra credit by presenting on the first day (right before the final). He’ll make sure there is enough extra credit for a good grade distribution. Our online final was week 13, then we did presentations. Before that, we had a few light coding lectures and 3 special topic lectures by the TAs that were only tested by extra credit multiple choice questions on the final. This class felt very front-loaded. If you get through that, the special topics, coding, and presentations will be easy.

Xiaodi Wu
CMSC457

Anonymous
06/14/2023

Professor Wu has very high expectations for the course. Although programming projects are straightforward, homeworks are very difficult without knowledge of certain linear algebra tricks that aren't taught in class. Fortunately some of the homework problems are straight from the readings. Focus on the homeworks for the exams. There is a group project, ensure that everyone in the group does their fair share. The cutoff for an A is pretty high (95% I think). Although you can do well this class with the minimum math prerequisites, I wouldn't recommend it unless you are more than just merely curious about quantum computing.

Xiaodi Wu
CMSC457

Expecting an A
Anonymous
05/24/2020

Quite a difficult course. I'd suggest taking MATH405 prior, and having familiarity with the theorems in chapters 8 and 10 of Hoffman and Kunze. Professor Wu is above-average in communicating concepts. He doesn't just regurgitate from a single book, and pulls from a lot of different texts; so the class is definitely not boring. He can be unapproachable at times, but he does encourage participation and asking questions.

Reviews for CMSC457