Algebraic Topology I
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.