Algebraic Topology I



Instructor: Peter Ozsváth
phone: (212) 854-4757
email: petero@math.columbia.edu
office: 620 Mathematics
office hrs: Monday 10:30-11:30; or by appointment.

Round table leader: Thomas Peters
email: tpeters@math.columbia.edu
Roundtable: Thursdays, Math 528 from 5-6.



The course:

This is an introduction to algebraic topology. I will basically follow Allen Hatcher's Algebraic Topology. This book is available online, as well. Topics will include: fundamental group, covering spaces, homology, cohomology, homotopy groups. Additional reading:


Announcements:

I will not be able to make my usual office hours on Monday, Oct 26th. They will be on Wed, Oct 28th instead at 10:30. (Or, of course, by appointment.) The Midterm will be on Nov 4th.

Grading:

The course grade is calculated as follows:

Homework:

  • Homework 1: Hatcher Chapter 1: Section 1.1: 17, 18 Section 1.2: 3, 4, 6, 9, 14, 16. Due Friday, Sept 25th at 5pm.

  • Homework 2: Hatcher Chapter 1: Section 1.3: 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24. Due Friday, Oct 2nd at 5pm.

  • Homework 3: Hatcher Chapter 2: Section 2.1: 4, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 20, 21, 23. Due Friday, Oct 16th at 5pm.

  • Homework 4: Hatcher Chapter 2: Section 2.2: 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 19, 21, 34, 36. Due Friday, Oct 30th at 5pm.

  • Homework 4: Hatcher Chapter 3: Section 3.1: 3, 7, 8, 9, 12 (further problems will go in Homework 5) Due Friday, Nov 20th at 5pm.

  • Homework 5: Hatcher Chapter 3: Section 3.2: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 11 Due Friday, Dec 4th at 5pm.


    Midterm Exam:

    The midterm exam will be an in-class exam on Nov 4th. It will cover fundamental group and homology.