Text
. Algebraic Topology by Allen
Hatcher. This text is available at the Washington University bookstore
and all standard on-line bookstores. It can
also be downloaded from Allen
Hatcher's web page. See also Corrections
and Additions.
As is suggested by the title, Mathematics 443 is an introduction to
algebraic topology. We will discuss
the fundamental group, covering spaces, homology and cohomology. We
plan to cover the material
described in chapters 0-3 of the textbook.
Prerequisites
. Math 441 and basic algebra (eg, 430), or permission
of the instructor.
Instructor
. Professor Rachel Roberts
Send email to Prof. Roberts at roberts@math.wustl.edu.
Office . Cupples I 106, 935-8527
Office
Hours.
M 10:15-11:45am and F 4-5:30pm
TA
Office Hours. Paul
Koester is the TA for this course. His office hours are W 5-6pm and F
11am-noon in Cupples I, room 112A.
And don't forget to check out his posted homework solutions!
Meeting
Time and Place.
MWF 12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m., Cupples II, 200
Homework. There
will be weekly homework sets, due Mondays by 5pm. Homework due dates
will be strict; however, I will drop the two lowest homework scores.
You may work with classmates on the homework. However, you must write up your answers individually, and credit your collaborators.
Although
I encourage you not to refer to other texts in the solving of homework
problems, you may do so as long as you list all references used.
The more
problems you work through the better!!! I encourage you to do more than
just the problems assigned as homework.
Exams
. There will be two exams: an in-class midterm on
March 21 and a final on May 11, 10:30am-12:30pm.
Grading System . Your grade will be based on the following.
Homework |
30% |
Midterm Exam |
30% |
Final Exam |
40% |
Students taking the course with the "Credit/No Credit" ("Pass/Fail") grading option must earn a grade of "D" or better to receive a "pass".
Any students taking the course on an "audit" basis should talk with the instructor to determine what criteria will be used to award a grade of "successful audit."