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Syllabus For Math 131

This course is an introduction to topology. It will cover fundamental topological concepts like topological spaces, continuous maps, compactness, connectedness and separation axioms in the first part. In the second part, it will introduce algebraic invariants of topological spaces such as the fundamental group. The prerequisites are some experience with abstract mathematics. The textbook is Topology by Munkres. There will be weekly homework assignments, one midterm exam, and a take-home final exam. Grades will be based on homework, a midterm, and a final exam.

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224 views1 page

Syllabus For Math 131

This course is an introduction to topology. It will cover fundamental topological concepts like topological spaces, continuous maps, compactness, connectedness and separation axioms in the first part. In the second part, it will introduce algebraic invariants of topological spaces such as the fundamental group. The prerequisites are some experience with abstract mathematics. The textbook is Topology by Munkres. There will be weekly homework assignments, one midterm exam, and a take-home final exam. Grades will be based on homework, a midterm, and a final exam.

Uploaded by

cgo1114
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Math 131: Introduction to Topology

Fall 2016

Content: This course will have two parts, roughly corresponding to the two parts of our text. In the first,
well introduce the fundamental definitions of topological spaces and continuous maps, and study related
notions such as compactness, connectedness and separation axioms. In the second, well begin the study of
topological spaces via their algebraic invariants, such as the fundamental group.
Prerequisites: Basically, some familiarity with abstract, proof-based mathematics. Math 122 would be
nice, especially since the notion of a group will appear in the second half of this course, but is not strictly
speaking necessary. If youre unsure of your background, glance over sections 1-7 of Chapter 1 of Munkres;
you dont need to know everything in those sections but the language and ideas should not be foreign to
you.
Text: The only required text will be Topology by Munkres. Well be covering (roughly) Chapters 2, 3 and
4 from Part I, and Chapters 9, 10, 11 and 13 from Part II.
Course Assistants: We have two CAs: Ashvin Swaminathan (aaswaminathan@college.harvard.edu)
and Carlos Albors-Riera (carlosalborsriera@college.harvard.edu) who will hold weekly sections (see
below) and office hours, and grade homework (ditto).
Sections: We will set up two weekly sections to go over material from lecture and homework (one will probably be during Math Night in the Leverett DH; http://math.harvard.edu/undergrad/mathnight.html).
These are highly recommended, for several reasons: even if you dont need help with specific problems on
the current PSet, its a chance to ask general questions about course material (or related issues that may
not be dealt with in the lectures); its also a chance to get to know the CAs and your fellow students and
learn their perspectives.
Homework: There will be weekly homework assignments posted on this webpage. Doing these is essential
if you hope to get something out of the course, and on behalf of Ashvin and Carlos let me implore you not
to get in the habit of turning in homework late.
The homework assignments will be due Wednesday each week; hopefully we can get them posted a week
before the due date.
Exams: We will have one in-class midterm exam at the end of the first unit of the course, and a take-home
final, due at the end of reading period.
Grading: Course grades will be based on your homework (60%), the midterm (15%) and the final exam
(25%).
Academic Integrity: The course policy on collaboration is simple: you should by all means talk about
and work together on assignmentsthis is encouraged, in factbut you should write up the assignments on
your own.

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