Math 74 - 114, Algebraic Topology (Spring 2012)
Announcements:
The take-home final exam is now available and can be obtained at
M74-114S12Final. It is due at noon on Sunday, June 3. For graduating seniors the exam is to be submitted by e-mail. For others it can be submitted by e-mail or slid under the door of Room 207 Kemeny Hall.
There will be no office hours on Tuesday, May 29. Questions about homework can be submitted by e-mail.
Homework 10 can now be obtained at
Homework Week 10.
For undergraduates this homework is due on May 28 (delivered by e-mail or under the door of Room 207) and for graduate students the homework is due in class on May 30.
A sketch of the solutions to Homework 9 can be found at
Homework 9 Solutions.
Homework 9 can now be obtained at
Homework Week 9.
A sketch of the solutions to Homework 8 can be found at
Homework 8 Solutions.
A sketch of the solutions to Homework 7 can be found at
Homework 7 Solutions.
A sketch of the solutions to Homework 6 can be found at
Homework 6 Solutions.
The solutions to the midterm exam problems can be found at
Midterm Exam Solutions.
The take-home midterm exam is available and can be obtained at
M74-114S12Midterm. It is due on Friday, April 27 in class.
A sketch of the solutions to Homework 4 can be found at
Homework 4 Solutions.
A sketch of the solutions to Homework 3 can be found at
Homework 3 Solutions.
A sketch of the solutions to Homework 2 can be found at
Homework 2 Solutions.
A sketch of the solutions to Homework 1 can be found at
Homework 1 Solutions.
The following books are on reserve at the Baker Reserve Desk:
- Massey, William: Algebraic topology, an introduction
- Hatcher, Allen: Algebraic topology
- Munkres, James: Elements of algebraic topology
- Rotman, Joseph: An introduction to algebraic topology
- Vick, James: Homology theory
- Hilton, Peter & Wylie, Shaun: Homology theory
- Spanier, Edwin: Algebraic topology
General Comments on the Course:
This course is open to undergraduates and graduate students and is cross-listed as Math 74 (undergraduates) and Math 114 (graduate students). It is an introductory course in Algebraic Topology. The prerequisites are Math 31 or 71 (Abstract Algebra) and Math 54 (Topology, also known as general or point-set topology) or the equivalents. Anyone not sure of having sufficient prerequisites should see the instructor. Because the final grades for undergraduates are based on a different scheme from those for graduate students, the homework requirements will be different for the two groups. This will be explained in class. The material of the course is naturally divided into two parts. The first part consists of the fundamental group and covering spaces. It should be completed in the fourth week of the term. The remainder of the term will be spent on homology theory. Because there is a large amount of material to cover, the x-hours will be used, probably every other week.
General Information
A Basic Course in Algebraic Topology by William S. Massey
Classes held Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 1:45 - 2:50 (x-hour
Thursday, 1:00 - 1:50) in Kemeny Hall, Room 108.
It is each student's responsibility to be aware of academic deadlines as stated by the Registrar.
Martin(o) Arkowitz
Office: 207 Kemeny Hall
Office hours:
Tuesdays: 2:00 - 4:00, right after each class, and by appointment
Phone: 646-2419 or BlitzMail (preferred)
- Readings from the text will be assigned for each class period and homework will be assigned weekly. For the assignments, see Syllabus and Homework Assignments. Homework will be collected with the assignment for week n due on Wednesday of week n+1.
- There will be a take-home midterm which will be handed out the fourth or fifth week of the term. The final exam will either be a take-home exam or an oral exam.
- The course grade will be based upon the exams, the homework assignments, and classroom participation. The distribution of points is as follows.
| Midterm Exam |
100 points |
| Final Exam |
150 points |
Homework and Classroom Participation
|
50 points
|
| Total |
300 points |
- On Exams: No help given or received.
- On Homework: Students are encouraged to work together with one or two classmates and/or to seek help from the instructor. Office hours are on Tuesday, the day before homework is due, and students are strongly encouraged to come by for help. Students should state on their homework paper the names of those with whom they have collaborated. What is important in doing homework is the eventual comprehension of the solution of the problem.
When a student writes up a homework problem it is to be his or her own understanding of how to solve the problem. The solutions that a student submits must be written by him or her alone. Any copying of another person's solutions will be regarded as a violation of the Honor Code.
- Students with learning, physical, or psychiatric disabilities enrolled in this course who may need disability-related
accommodations are encouraged to meet with the instructor before the end of the second week of the term. All discussions will
remain confidential, although the
Student Accessibility Services office may be consulted.