Algebraic Topology, by Hatcher Professor Alexandru I. Suciu Topology and Geometry, by Bredon

MATH 7221 · Topology 2

Fall 2011

* Course Information

Course:   MATH 7221 -- Topology 2
Web site:   https://web.northeastern.edu/suciu/MATH7221/top2.fa11.html
Instructor:   Prof. Alex Suciu  <a.suciu@neu.edu>
Time and Place:   Tue. and Th. from 5:50pm to 7:20pm, in 544 Nightingale Hall
Office Hours:   Mon, Tue, Wed 4:40-5:30pm, in 435 LA
Prerequisites:   MATH 5121 Topology 1 or equivalent
Textbook:   Algebraic Topology by Allen Hatcher, Cambridge University Press, 2002
Supplement: Topology and Geometry, by Glen Bredon, Springer-Verlag, GTM #139, 1997.
Grade:   Based on problem sets, exams, and class participation

* Course Description

This course provides an introduction to the concepts of Algebraic Topology, with an emphasis on homological methods, and with applications to problems in homotopy theory, geometry and combinatorics. It consists of three inter-connected parts:
1. Homology Theory and CW Complexes
We will start with simplicial complexes and simplicial homology, after which we will proceed to singular homology, homological algebra (exact sequences, axioms), Mayer-Vietoris sequence, CW-complexes and cellular homology, calculation of homology of cellular spaces, and homology with coefficients.
2. Cohomology Theory
Cohomology groups, universal coefficients theorems, Bockstein homomorphism, Künneth formula, cup and cap products, Hopf invariant, Borsuk-Ulam theorem, Brouwer and Lefschetz fixed-point theorems.
3. Manifolds and Duality
Orientability, Poincaré duality, Lefschetz duality, Alexander duality, Euler class, Gysin sequence, intersection form, and signature.
For more information, see some older syllabi, from 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, and 2010. You may also want to look at some past qualifying exams in Topology, based in part on the material covered in this course.
As a computational aide, I recommend using the Simplicial Homology package, which runs under GAP, or the Simplicial Complexes package, which is part of Macaulay2.

* Homework Assignments

Homework Due date Section Page Problems
1 September 22 Hatcher 2.1 131-132 4, 5, 6, 9, 23, 30
2 October 4 Hatcher 2.1 132-133 16, 17, 18, 19, 26, 29
3 Oct 18 Hatcher 2.2 155-158 4, 10, 26, 28, 29, 33
4 November 1 Hatcher 2.2 156-157 9(a)-(c), 12, 13(a), 19, 20&21, 22&23
5 November 10 Hatcher 2.2 159 40, 42, 43
Hatcher 3.A 267 2, 3
Hatcher 3.B 280 1 (for homology)
6 November 22 Hatcher 3.1 206 13
Hatcher 3.2 228 1, 6, 10, 11, 18
7 December 13 Hatcher 3.3 257-259 3, 4, 5, 10, 24, 25


Department of Mathematics  Office:  435 Lake Hall  Messages:  (617) 373-2450 
Northeastern University Phone:  (617) 373-3899 Fax:  (617) 373-5658
Boston, MA, 02115  Email:  a.suciu@neu.edu Directions

Home Started:  June 17, 2011
Last modified:  December 3, 2011
www.northeastern.edu/suciu/MATH7221/top2.fa11.html