If you have good software skills and are still looking for a summer internship, check out the 2014 Google Summer of Code program. You can earn $5500 by coding for an open source software project this summer. You will probably work remotely, but in close collaboration with a mentor at one of over 100 participating organizations. To maximize your chances, explore the organizations and find one that needs your skills. Details here; apply by Friday, March 21.

If you have good software skills and are still looking for a summer internship, check out the 2014 Google Summer of Code program. You can earn $5500 by coding for an open source software project this summer. You will probably work remotely, but in close collaboration with a mentor at one of over 100 participating organizations. To maximize your chances, explore the organizations and find one that needs your skills. Details here; apply by Friday, March 21.

If you have good software skills and are still looking for a summer internship, check out the 2014 Google Summer of Code program. You can earn $5500 by coding for an open source software project this summer. You will probably work remotely, but in close collaboration with a mentor at one of over 100 participating organizations. To maximize your chances, explore the organizations and find one that needs your skills. Details here; apply by Friday, March 21.

If you have good software skills and are still looking for a summer internship, check out the 2014 Google Summer of Code program. You can earn $5500 by coding for an open source software project this summer. You will probably work remotely, but in close collaboration with a mentor at one of over 100 participating organizations. To maximize your chances, explore the organizations and find one that needs your skills. Details here; apply by Friday, March 21.

PhD Dissertation Defense

Amplified Quantum Transforms

David J. Cornwell

10:00am-12:00pm, 26 March 2014, ITE346

In this work we investigate a new quantum algorithm called the Amplified Quantum Fourier Transform (Amplified-QFT) to solve the Local Period Problem where there is an Oracle with a periodic subset and we wish to recover its period. This algorithm uses parts of the famous Grover’s quantum search algorithm to amplify the amplitudes on the subset, followed by the equally famous Shor’s quantum algorithm for recovering the period. We compare the Amplified-QFT algorithm against the Quantum Fourier Transform (QFT) and Quantum Hidden Subgroup (QHS) algorithms and calculate the probabilities of success for all three algorithms. We show that the Amplified-QFT algorithm is on average, quadratically faster than either the QFT or QHS algorithms. We also investigate two more general settings: a) where the QFT is replaced by a general unitary operator U in the Amplified-QFT algorithm and b) where Grover’s algorithm is replaced by a general amplification procedure in the Amplified-QFT algorithm.

We also investigate this algorithm when a random Error Stream affects the Oracle, which involves calculating expectations and variances over a random set. We calculate the probabilities of success in this case. Further, we find an Uncertainty Principle for the Amplified-QFT algorithm. We also identify a decision problem, the Constant or Balanced Signal Decision Problem, which can be solved by using the one dimensional Amplified Haar Wavelet Transform. This decision problem is a generalization of the Deutsch-Josza problem.

Committee: Drs. S. Lomonaco (CSEE), Chair and advisor; T. Armstrong (Math), Co-advisor and Reader; Dr. Y. Shih (Physics), Reader; Dr. F. Potra (Math) and Dr. M. Gowda (Math)

PhD Dissertation Defense

Amplified Quantum Transforms

David J. Cornwell

10:00am-12:00pm, 26 March 2014, ITE346

In this work we investigate a new quantum algorithm called the Amplified Quantum Fourier Transform (Amplified-QFT) to solve the Local Period Problem where there is an Oracle with a periodic subset and we wish to recover its period. This algorithm uses parts of the famous Grover’s quantum search algorithm to amplify the amplitudes on the subset, followed by the equally famous Shor’s quantum algorithm for recovering the period. We compare the Amplified-QFT algorithm against the Quantum Fourier Transform (QFT) and Quantum Hidden Subgroup (QHS) algorithms and calculate the probabilities of success for all three algorithms. We show that the Amplified-QFT algorithm is on average, quadratically faster than either the QFT or QHS algorithms. We also investigate two more general settings: a) where the QFT is replaced by a general unitary operator U in the Amplified-QFT algorithm and b) where Grover’s algorithm is replaced by a general amplification procedure in the Amplified-QFT algorithm.

We also investigate this algorithm when a random Error Stream affects the Oracle, which involves calculating expectations and variances over a random set. We calculate the probabilities of success in this case. Further, we find an Uncertainty Principle for the Amplified-QFT algorithm. We also identify a decision problem, the Constant or Balanced Signal Decision Problem, which can be solved by using the one dimensional Amplified Haar Wavelet Transform. This decision problem is a generalization of the Deutsch-Josza problem.

Committee: Drs. S. Lomonaco (CSEE), Chair and advisor; T. Armstrong (Math), Co-advisor and Reader; Dr. Y. Shih (Physics), Reader; Dr. F. Potra (Math) and Dr. M. Gowda (Math)

Name:  Sierra Francis

Internship, Co-op or Research Site: Maryland Office of Tourism Development (MOTD)

Major(s)/Minor(s): Modern Languages, Linguistics, and Intercultural Communications

Expected Graduation Year: May 2015

Briefly describe your internship, co-op, research, or service- learning opportunity, including your day-to-day tasks, responsibilities, and assignments.

I write and edit editorial content for historical points of interest, attractions and destinations in Maryland that played a role during the Civil War. I later upload all of that content onto a Civil War Trails iphone application that people can use when they are going out and visiting these places. I have to do quite a bit of research for each city or town that I am required to cover. Sometimes I have to find or order images and photographs to go along with the editorials through historical societies or online public domain archives. Once I have an image I then have to edit it so that it'll fit and look nice on the app. I spent an entire shift just editing photos once. I also have to create inventories of those images on my department's database.

What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization/company?

Besides the amazing history, the promotional writing is the best part. In order to write about a lot of these places I have to look up different things that are in that area that a tourist could see and do besides the historical-related things and then sum it all up. It's basically like I'm the one who's getting ready to go on a trip and I've got to find things to do there. It's a lot of fun learning about all the different towns and things they have to offer. I also love that my cubicle overlooks the Baltimore harbor. It's pretty cool that I'm getting an "ocean-view" as an intern.

What have you gained from your experience that you could not have gained from another opportunity?

I get to immerse myself in something that I love. And when you love history as much as I do, getting to see old archives and photos is like crack. I don't know how else to put it!

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?

Record what you get done every shift and keep your supervisor updated every day. Don't make them have to ask you anything. I consistently tell my supervisor what I've accomplished after each shift and what my next step is through a quick email before I leave. She was extremely pleased and surprised that she has never had to ask me anything, and I know it made a good impression. I don't think they always expect college kids to be so on top of things, so if you prove yourself like that it reflects extremely well on you down the line.

How do you see your experience as meaningful? This might involve skills you’ve gained, information you’ve learned, mentors you’ve connected with, or projects you’ve completed.

I'm helping to create an app that anyone in the United States can use as their own personal tour guide when they visit these historical trails and sites. And in order to do that I get to read and write about history and fun things to do in each area whenever I come in. I even get to see photos that were taken in the 1800s of people who you never really hear much about in history class or on TV...I'm not really sure what more a history-geek could ask for. It's great and I can't believe I'm getting paid for it.

Please provide a short quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / the internship placement process.

I'm just grateful that I had to opportunity to work here and it'll be an experience that I'll cherish for the rest of my life.

Olalekan Adedokun is a master drummer, drum maker, dancer, flautist, and educator. He has toured and performed extensively throughout his own country, performing and teaching workshops in more than a dozen countries around the world. Mr. Adedokun has spent several years researching the tremendous variety of musical instruments that come from various ethnic groups in Nigeria, in addition to mastering his own culture’s (Yoruba) percussion instruments. At this workshop you will experience world class percussion and dance, learn some traditional rhythms, dances and songs and broaden the scope of your understanding of Nigerian musical styles.

A Workshop in Nigerian Percussion and Dance with Mr. Olalekan Adedokun will be presented on Monday March 31^st from 7 to 8:30 PM at The Other Barn in Oakland Mills Village Center, Columbia, MD, 21045. Admission is $20 for adults, children under age 10 - $5 (with paying adult). Please pay at the door. This workshop program is sponsored by FunDrum Rhythm Circles and all proceeds go to Mr. Adedokun to support his educational programs in Nigeria.

Contact Jonathan Murray at FunDrum Rhythm Circles if you have any questions – 410 964-DRUM (3786) 

Lauren Mazzoli, Math/Computer Science Major