Elementary Geometric and Algebraic Topology

office: 713 Van Vleck
e-mail: laurentiu.maxim@gmail.com
office hours: Mo, We, 3:00PM - 4:00PM.

CLASS SCHEDULE: MoWeFr 11:00AM - 11:50AM, VAN VLECK B139.

CLASS HOMEPAGE: http://www.math.wisc.edu/~maxim/552s14.html

DESCRIPTION:

Basic homotopy theory, Fundamental group, Seifert-Van Kampen theorem, Classification of surfaces, Covering spaces and their classification, Simplicial homology and applications.

TEXTBOOK:

• James R. Munkres: Topology (2nd edition)

GRADE:

Your course grade will be based on homework (30%), one midterm (30%), and a final exam (40%).
The midterm exam is scheduled on March 10, in class. The final will be a take-home exam.

HOMEWORK:

Homework will be assigned regularly and will be the main source of problems appearing in the exams.
Once the homework is posted, you'll have exactly a week to complete it and hand it in.
Late homework will not be accepted.

• HW 1: Basic homotopy theory. Fundamental group. (due February 10)
• HW 2: More homotopy theory. Retractions. Fundamental group. (due February 21)
• HW 3: Van Kampen's theorem. (due March 3)
• HW 4: Classification of surfaces. (due March 31)
• HW 5: Covering spaces. (due April 14)
• Final Exam (takehome) (due May 12)