Math 461: Topology I

Fall 2008

MWF 2:20-3:20pm in S2 145
R 1:15-2:40pm in S2 144

Office Hours for the Final:
I will be in my office the following times over the weekend and on Monday. As always if you want to meet, but can't make the scheduled times, let me know and we can try to work something out.

Sunday, December 14th, 11:00am - 4:00pm.
Monday, December 15th, 11:00am-12:30pm and 3:20pm - 5:30pm.
Tuesday, December 16th, 9:00am - 10:30am.

Welcome! This semester I am teaching Math 461, Topology I. This is the official course website. You'll find all the information you need for the class on this website.

Course Information:

Key Dates:

First Day of Class: Monday, August 25th
First Midterm: Thursday, September 25th
Second Midterm: Thursday, October 30th
Third Midterm: Thursday, December 4th
Last Day of Class: Friday, December 12th
Final Exam:

Grading:

The grades in the class will consist of three midterms, a final exam, and homework. There will be a homework assignment almost every week. In general it will be assigned on Wednesday and due the following Monday. The breakdown of the grade will be approximately

Homework: 40%
Midterms: 10% for each
Final Exam: 30%

I reserve the right to alter that breakdown as the semester progresses. As of right now, it is probable that at least one of the midterms will be a take home exam. If you have a conflict with the time for any midterm, let me know as soon as possible. If you don't let me know at least two days before the exam, you will not be given a makeup.

Help and Office Hours:

I will hold office hours:

MW 10:50-11:50am
T 9:00-10:00am
F 3:30-4:30pm

and by appointment in my office LN2235. Please contact me by e-mail at dwyer@math.binghamton.edu or see me after class if you want to make an appointment. I will answer your email within 24 hours. In addition to my regular office hours, I will hold extra office hours before the midterms and the final.

Homework Assignments:

Homework 1 due Monday, September 8th.
Homework 2 due Wednesday, September 17th.
Homework 3 due Friday, October 17th.
Homework 4 due Monday, November 17th.
Homework 5 due Tuesday, November 25th.

Midterms:

First Midterm Take Home, due Friday, September 26th.
Second Midterm Take home, due Friday October 31.

Final Exam: The final exam is an oral exam by appointment. Here is a tenative list of questions you should be able to answer for the final.

Final Exam Oral, by appointment.

Textbook: Topology, 2nd Edition, by James R. Munkres.

There are quite a few introductory topology texts out there, and many of them are excellent. I personally also like

Topology and its applications, by William Basener

Introduction to Topology, 2nd edition, by Gamelin and Greene

First Concepts in Topology, by Chinn and Steenrod
among others. You're welcome to use any alternate text as a supplement if you want, but the official text is the one to the left.

Interesting Links: This is just a list of interesting links, including some essays giving descriptions of topology.

What is Topology? by Robert Bruner from Wayne State University.
What is Topology? by Neil Strickland from the University of Sheffield.
A History of Topology which gets a little technical.
Fun Math Facts, a webpage hosted by the Harvey Mudd Mathematics Department.
In space, do all roads lead to home?. This is an article about the shape of the universe by Janna Levin, who is a Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Barnard College of Columbia University.

Back to Chris Dwyer's Math Home Page.
Binghamton University Mathematical Sciences Department

Math 461: Topology I

Fall 2008

MWF 2:20-3:20pm in S2 145R 1:15-2:40pm in S2 144

MWF 2:20-3:20pm in S2 145
R 1:15-2:40pm in S2 144