Math 9052B/4152B - Algebraic Topology
Winter 2015

• Lectures: MWF 11:30 - 12:20 in room MC 108.
• Course web page: http://www.math.uwo.ca/~mfrankla/Math9052.html
• Instructor: Martin Frankland
  • Email: mfrankla(at)uwo.ca
  • Office: MC 129
  • Office hours: Tue 4:30 - 5:30, Wed 3:30 - 4:30
• Textbook: Allen Hatcher, Algebraic Topology. Published by Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-79540-0. The book is available online on Hatcher's website. It is also available at the campus bookstore.
• Prerequisites: Group Theory (Math 3120) and General Topology (Math 4121 or the former Math 3132), or permission of the instructor.

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  LECTURE LOG AND HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS

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  Course outline

  

  The course in an introduction to algebraic topology. Broadly speaking, algebraic topology studies spaces and shapes by associating algebraic invariants to them. We will start with the fundamental group, covering spaces, and some applications. Then we will discuss homology and its applications. Lastly, we will discuss cohomology.

  The course material corresponds roughly to Chapters 0, 1, and 2 of Hatcher, plus a bit of Chapter 3. See a tentative list of topics on the course calendar.

  Important dates

  • Mon January 5: First lecture.
  • February 16-20: Reading Week. No lectures.
  • Sat March 7: Drop date.
  • Fri April 3: Good Friday. No lecture.
  • Wed April 8: Last lecture.
  • Mon April 27: Final exam.

  Course Policies

  Overall grading

  Your course grade will be calculated as follows.

  • Homework: 40%
  • Oral presentation: 30%
  • Final exam: 30%

  There will be no extra credit.

  Homework

  Homework will be assigned approximately every two weeks.

  Update 3/27/2015: For those registered in Math 4152, Homework 6 is optional. If you do turn it in, then the best 5 of your 6 homework grades will count. For those registered in Math 9052, all 6 assignments are mandatory.

  Late homework will not be accepted. Homework can be submitted in advance if needed.

  The Lecture Log also lists suggested practice problems, which will not be collected.

  Medical accommodations

  If you are unable to meet a course requirement due to illness or other serious circumstances, you must provide valid medical or other supporting documentation to the Dean's Office as soon as possible and contact me immediately. It is your responsibility to make alternative arrangements with me once the accommodation has been approved. In the event of a missed final exam, a "Recommendation of Special Examination" form must be obtained from the Dean's Office.

  As possible arrangement, a homework grade could be dropped. There will be no make-up homework.

  For further information, please consult the following:

  • Faculty of Science policy on missed course work
  • University policy on medical accommodation

  Academic integrity

  Working on homework with your peers is allowed, in fact encouraged. However, each student must write their own solutions. Handing in solutions suspiciously similar to those of other students, online sources, or textbooks will be considered an instance of cheating. Solutions must give credit to people and sources that have helped.

  Scholastic offences are taken seriously and will not be tolerated. For more information, please consult the University policy on scholastic discipline.

  Accessibility

  Please consult Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) regarding accessibility services on campus. Please contact me if you require material in an alternate format or other accommodations to make this course more accessible to you.

  Back to Martin Frankland's home page.