Algebraic Topology I

MATH 50323

Spring 2014

 

 

 

Course Web Site:         http://faculty.tcu.edu/gfriedman/stats

Instructor:                    Greg Friedman

e-mail:                         g.friedman@tcu.edu

Office:                         309 Tucker Technology Center

Phone:                         X6343

Office Hours:              Please see my schedule for official office hours. If you can’t make it at the official times, feel free to drop by at any time – I’m usually available most afternoons. We can also make a specific appointment for another time, or you can ask questions by e-mail at any time

Class Schedule:            TTh 12:30-1:50, Winton-Scott 147

Final Exam:                 Tuesday, May 6, 11:30-2:00

 

Prerequisites:               Students are expected to be proficient in basic algebra

 

Required Text:             Algebraic Topology by Allen Hatcher (available for purchase in traditional book form or for free at http://www.math.cornell.edu/~hatcher/AT/ATpage.html )

 

 

Asking questions:        Ask questions in class! It helps me know what needs to be explained better, and it makes classmates grateful that someone had the courage to ask. You are also encouraged to ask questions before class, after class, in my office hours, by e-mail, over telegraph, and every other possible way. Don't be shy!

 

 

Course Policies and Procedures

 

 

Exams: There will be two in-class midterm exams, tentatively scheduled for February 20 and April 3. The final exam will be on Tuesday, May 6 at 11:30 AM.

 

Problem assignments: Homework problems will be assigned via the course website at http://faculty.tcu.edu/gfriedman/algtop/algtop-hw.pdf . Problems will be assigned following each class session and will be due at the beginning of class the following Thursday (unless otherwise noted). This gives you the opportunity to ask questions about homework problems during the first part of the week. Please take advantage of this. In particular, PROBLEMS SHOULD NOT BE LEFT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE. Problems often require several days of contemplation. This is normal.

 

Collaboration: You may discuss homework problems with others and are encouraged to come to me for help at any time. You may collaborate on homework problems, BUT solutions must be written up individually. In other words, you may work in groups in attempting to solve problems, but you must write up solutions on your own and demonstrate your own mastery of the solution. It is imperative that you learn the material for yourself; there will be no collaboration on exams. Late problem sets will not be graded.

Grading: Your final average will be determined approximately as follows: 32% for the final exam, 19% for each midterm, and 30% for homework. Grades may be curved at the end of the semester, but a cumulative average of 90% or above guarantees at least an A-, a cumulative average of 80% or above guarantees at least a B-, a cumulative average of 70% or above guarantees at least a C-, and a cumulative average of 60% or above guarantees at least a D-.

On Concepts: On exams and homework you will be tested not just on your ability to perform calculations but also on your understanding of concepts discussed in class and in the book. Therefore, it is important for you to read the material in the text (which you will be responsible for) and to study your notes from class.

Attendance: Attendance is not required, but it is expected. You are responsible for all material and information from all class sessions, for handing in all homework in time, and for taking all quizzes and exams at the appointed times. If you plan to miss a quiz or exam, even with a University Excused Absence, you are responsible for letting me know as far in advance as possible. In the event of an emergency that prevents you from attending a quiz or exam, please contact me as soon as reasonably possible.

Make-ups: In the event that you will be unable to take an exam or quiz on time, a written excuse is required in advance. Even if you have a university excuse, you must notify me yourself. I expect to be notified in advance except in the case of serious emergency, and in all cases I expect to be contacted as soon as reasonably possible. Excuses may also be given to hand in homework late, again provided that a reasonable request is made in advance or proof of emergency situation is presented. Failure to abide by this policy may result in loss of course credit.

 

 

Course Schedule and Syllabus

 

Syllabus: We will cover most of Chapters 1 and 2 of Hatcher, as well as some preliminary material from Chapter 0.

 

Week

Start Date

Special

1

Jan. 13

 

2

Jan. 20

Jan. 20 – MLK Day

3

Jan. 27

4

Feb. 3

 

5

Feb. 10

6

Feb. 17

Exam 1

7

Feb. 24

8

Mar. 3

9

Mar. 10

Spring Break!

10

Mar. 17

11

Mar. 24

12

Mar. 31

Exam 2

13

Apr. 7

14

Apr. 14

April 18 – Good Friday

15

Apr. 21

 

16

Apr. 28

April 30 – last day of classes

17

May 5

Final Exam, Tuesday, May 6, 11:30-2:00

 

 

University Policies

 

 

Statement of Disability Services at TCU

Disabilities Statement : Texas Christian University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 regarding students with disabilities.  Eligible students seeking accommodations should contact the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities in the Center for Academic Services located in Sadler Hall, 11.  Accommodations are not retroactive, therefore, students should contact the Coordinator as soon as possible in the term for which they are seeking accommodations. Further information can be obtained from the Center for Academic Services, TCU Box 297710, Fort Worth, TX 76129, or at (817) 257-7486.
                                

Adequate time must be allowed to arrange accommodations and accommodations are not retroactive; therefore, students should contact the Coordinator as soon as possible in the academic term for which they are seeking accommodations.  Each eligible student is responsible for presenting relevant, verifiable, professional documentation and/or assessment reports to the Coordinator.  Guidelines for documentation may be found at http://www.acs.tcu.edu/DISABILITY.HTM.

Students with emergency medical information or needing special arrangements in case a building must be evacuated should discuss this information with their instructor/professor as soon as possible.

Academic Misconduct:

**Academic Misconduct (Sec. 3.4 from the Student Handbook) –Any act that violates the academic integrity of the institution is considered academic misconduct. The procedures used to resolve suspected acts of academic misconduct are available in the offices of Academic Deans and the Office of Campus Life and are listed in detail in the Undergraduate Catalog (Student Policies>Academic Conduct Policy Details; http://catalog.tcu.edu/undergraduate/). Specific examples include, but are not limited to:

Netiquette: Communication Courtesy Code

All members of the class are expected to follow rules of common courtesy in all email messages, threaded discussions and chats.  If I deem any of them to be inappropriate or offensive, I will forward the message to the Chair of the department and the online administrators and appropriate action will be taken, not excluding expulsion from the course. The same rules apply online as they do in person.  Be respectful of other students.  Foul discourse will not be tolerated.  Please take a moment and read the following link concerning "netiquette".

All students are expected to have a tcu.edu e-mail address and to check it regularly.