Introductory Topology II (Math 752) — Spring 2018

Professor: Autumn Kent, 615 Van Vleck Hall, email

Lecture times & location:
                                                TR 1:00-2:15 in VAN VLECK B325

Office hours: Thursday 2:30-3:30, by appointment, or drop by and see if I'm available.

Official syllabus.

The textbook

The textbook is Algebraic Topology, by Allen Hatcher.

We will cover most of chapters 3 and 4.

Midterms and Final

There will be a take-home midterm and a take-home final.

Midterm — due TUESDAY, MARCH 13.

Final — due THURSDAY, MAY 10.

Grades

There will be a take-home midterm, a take-home final, and biweekly homework assignments.

Students will receive an A if, based on the performance on the exams and homework, I believe that you are able to pass the department qualifying exam in topology. In the past, this has correlated roughly to a performance of 70% clear and correct responses on assignments.

A student will receive a B if they work and it is evident that they will not pass the qualifying exam.

A student doing little to no work will receive an F.

Homework

Homework will be collected roughly every two weeks. The assignments may change slightly as we move along.

Homework 5 (due Thursday, 5/3/2018). 4.3: 1, 3, 10, (may add more)

Homework 4 (due Thursday, 4/19/2018). 4.1: 12, 15, 16; 4.2: 1, 8, 9, 15, 31, 32.

Homework 3 (due Thursday, 4/5/2018). 3.3: 29, 32, 33; 4.1: 2, 3, 4, 8, 11.

Homework 2 (due Tuesday, 2/20/2018). 3.2: 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11, 18.

Homework 1 (due Thursday, 2/8/2018). 3.1: 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11

Welcoming message

As a diverse group, the Mathematics Department strives to foster an open and supportive community in which to conduct research, to teach, and to learn. In accordance with these beliefs and § 36.12 of the Wisconsin Statutes, the Mathematics Department affirms that all community members are to be treated with dignity and respect and that discrimination and harassment will not be tolerated. We further commit ourselves to making the department a supportive, inclusive, and safe environment for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors, regardless of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, pregnancy, or any other aspect of identity. For more information, refer to https://www.math.wisc.edu/climate

I am firmly committed to promote an anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels safe and welcome. As such, you are expected to treat your instructor and all other participants in the course with courtesy and respect. Your comments to others should be factual, constructive and free from harassing statements. Students need to contribute in intelligent, positive, and constructive manners within the course.

Disability

Your success is important to me. Reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities is a shared faculty and student responsibility. Students are expected to inform me of their need for instructional accommodations by the end of the third week of the semester, or as soon as possible after a disability has been incurred or recognized. I will work either directly with you or in coordination with the McBurney Center to identify and provide reasonable instructional accommodations. Disability information, including instructional accommodations as part of a student's educational record, is confidential and protected under FERPA.

Mental Help

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning. These might include strained relationships, anxiety, high levels of stress, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, or loss of motivation. University Health Services is here to help with these or other issues you may experience. You can learn about the free, confidential mental health services available on campus by calling 608-265-5600 or visiting uhs.wisc.edu. Help is always available.

There are several options for confidential support, counseling, and medical services for student victims of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence on and off the UW-Madison campus. Student victims also have options for reporting to campus and/or law enforcement. For information about all of these options, please visit https://uhs.wisc.edu/assault/sa-resources.shtml

Academic Integrity

Students in this class have the right to expect that their fellow students are upholding the academic integrity of this University. Academic dishonesty is a serious offense at the University because it undermines the bonds of trust and honesty between members of the community. On homework assignments, academic dishonesty involves using someone else's work without attribution (see the homework section for details). On quizzes and exams, academic dishonestly includes but is not limited to: looking at another students' work, making use of a disallowed reference during an exam, looking at a cellphone for any reason (even if it's just to check the time) during an exam, or not following the stated policies for take-home exams.

The math department treat all incidents of academic dishonesty very seriously. For instance, the consequences for cheating on an exam may range from automatically failing the course to suspension or expulsion. We will not hesitate to initiate disciplinary procedures should such a case arise. For more information, refer to https://www.students.wisc.edu/doso/academic-integrity/