INSTRUCTOR: Sasha Voronov
OFFICE: VinH 324
PHONE: (612) 624-0355
E-MAIL ADDRESS: voronov@umn.edu. You are welcome to use e-mail to send questions to me.
INTERNET: All class announcements and assignments will be posted on the class homepage http://www-users.math.umn.edu/~voronov/8301-19/ and NOT handed out in class.
OFFICE HOURS: Mon 3:35-4:25, Wed 12:20-1:10, Thu 2:30-3:20, or by appointment.
TEXT: Basic Algebraic Topology, 1st or 2nd edition, 2014-15, by Anant R. Shastri (available for purchase at the bookstore and on the Internet; also on reserve and online in the Math Library). The Library pretends to have online versions of the 1st and 2nd editions, but both links lead to the 2nd one. The 2nd edition corrects a few errors and makes a few changes in exercises. Online copy through the Library. Updated corrections are available online at
http://www.math.iitb.ac.in/~ars/algtoperr.pdf.
I will be giving homework using the 2nd edition.
CONTENT: In the Fall, my goal is to cover the first five chapters of Shastri's book. This will provide basics of algebraic topology, including cell complexes, covering spaces, fundamental group, homology, degree of a map, topological manifolds, and classification of compact surfaces.
PREREQUISITES: Some point-set topology and abstract algebra. On the other hand, expect to learn some additional material and catch up on your own. In other words, there may be occasional gaps between what you learned in your previous courses and I assume you to know. In particular, you should be comfortable with connectedness, compactness, Hausdorfness, (co)kernels of linear maps, as well as groups, rings and linear algebra.
GETTING HELP:
GRADING: Based on your homework (60%) and final exam (40%). Class participation may be taken into account. Grades will be assigned on a curve. I expect you to put enough hard work to earn grades not lower than a B. The curve does not exclude the possibility of everybody getting A's, though, but this happens rather rarely.
IMPORTANT DATES:
September 4: First class meeting.
September 16: First homework due.
November 28-29: Thanksgiving Break.
December 11, 12:20-2:20 p.m.: Final exam in Kolthoff Hall 134.
Page created on 9/4/2019. The info about ouor grader is added on 9/16/19. Office hours changed 10/01. Th Final Exam date added 11/24. The Final Exam room added 12/3