Topology, by Munkres
  Professor Alexandru I. Suciu
 
Algebraic Topology, by Hatcher
MATH 5121 · Topology 1
Spring 2011

* Course Information

Course:   MATH 5121 · Topology 1
Web site:   www.math.neu.edu/~suciu/MATH5121/top1.sp11.html
Instructor:   Prof. Alex Suciu,   < a.suciu@neu.edu >
Time and Place:   Tue & Th 5:50–7:20 pm, in 145 RY
Office Hours:   Tuesday & Friday 11:40am-12:40pm, Thursday 4:40-5:40pm, in 441 Lake Hall
Prerequisites:   MATH 5101 (Analysis 1), MATH 5111 (Algebra 1)
Textbooks:   Topology (2nd Edition) by James R. Munkres, Prentice Hall, 2000
Algebraic Topology by Allen Hatcher, Cambridge University Press, 2002 (also here)
Grade:   Based on problem sets, class participation, and possibly a final exam

* Course Description

This course provides an introduction to the concepts and methods of Topology. It consists of three inter-connected parts.
1. Topological Spaces and Continuous Maps
This part of the course serves as a quick introduction to General Topology. The objects of study are topological spaces and continuous maps between them. Key is the notion of homeomorphism, which leads to the study of topological invariants. The main properties that are studied are connectedness, path connectedness, and compactness, as well as their "local" versions. We also introduce several constructions of spaces, including identification spaces.
2. Fundamental Group and Covering Spaces
This part of the course is a brief introduction to the methods of Algebraic and Geometric Topology. It starts with Poincaré's definition of the fundamental group of a space, and various methods to compute it, such as the Seifert-van Kampen theorem. It proceeds with the classification of surfaces, and a detailed study of covering spaces. Applications include the Brouwer fixed point theorem, the Borsuk-Ulam theorem, and the Nielsen-Schreier theorem.
3. Simplicial Complexes and Simplicial Homology
Time permitting, this part of the course is a brief introduction to the methods of Combinatorial Topology and Homological Algebra. It starts with simplicial complexes and their realizations, and proceeds to simplicial homology groups, and ways to compute them. We will illustrate these techniques with concrete examples, and derive some applications.
For more information, including past exams and class projects, see these older syllabi, from 1998, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, and 2009. You may also want to look at some past qualifying exams in Topology, based in large part on the material covered in this course.

* Homework Assignments

Assignment Chapter Page Problems
Homework 1
Due Jan. 25
Munkres 2.16 92 4, 5
Munkres 2.17 101 13, 14
Munkres 2.18 111 8
Munkres 2.20 126 3
Homework 2
Due Feb. 3
Munkres 3.23 152 5
Munkres 3.24 158 8, 9, 10
Munkres 3.25 162 5, 6
Homework 3
Due Feb. 15
Munkres 2.22 144-145 2, 5
Munkres 3.26 170-172 1, 5, 8, 12
Homework 4
Due Feb. 24
Munkres 3.29 186 1, 3
Munkres 7.46 289 7, 8
Munkres 9.51 330 3(d)
Munkres 9.58 366 6
Homework 5
Due March 15
Munkres 9.52 335 3, 6, 7
Munkres 9.58 366 7
Hatcher 0 19 12
Hatcher 1.1 39 13
Homework 6
Due March 29
Munkres 9.53 341 1, 4, 6(b)
Munkres 9.54 348 8
Munkres 9.55 353 2
Munkres 9.57 359 3
Homework 7
Due April 7
Munkres 11.69 425 1, 3
Munkres 11.70 433 1, 2
Hatcher 1.2 53 4, 8
Homework 8
Due April 21
Munkres 11.74 454 3, 6
Munkres 13.79 483 3, 4
Hatcher 1.3 79 9, 10


Department of Mathematics  Office:  441 Lake Hall  Messages:  (617) 373-2450 
Northeastern University Phone:  (617) 373-4456  Fax:  (617) 373-5658
Boston, MA, 02115  Email:  a.suciu@neu.edu Directions

Home Started:  December 22, 2010
Last modified:  April 13, 2011
www.math.neu.edu/~suciu/MATH5121/top1.sp11.html