Algebraic Topology



Instructor: Peter Ozsváth
phone: 609-258-4222
email: petero@math.princeton.edu
office: 1106
office hrs: Fri 10-11AM

Grader: Daniel Vitek
Office Hours: Mon 4-5PM


The course:

This is an introduction to algebraic topology, mostly following Allen Hatcher's Algebraic Topology. (Primarily Chapters 1-3.) This book is available online, as well. We will start with fundamental group and covering spaces, and then go on to singular homology and cohomology. We might make a little digression into differential topology at some point. Some background (for example, some group theory and point set topology) will be filled in as needed. Additional reading:


Announcements:

Relevant announcements will appear here.

Grading:

The course grade is calculated as follows:
Homework constitutes a fairly small fraction of the grade. However, it will be impossible to do well on the exams without the working knowledge acquired by doing homework. Homework will be given once a week or two.

Assignments:

  • Homework 1 due Mon, Feb 20th at 11AM.
    Chapter 0. p 19: 6, 10, 17
    Chapter 1.1 pp 38-39: 3, 17
    Chapter 1.2 pp 52-55: 7, 8, 22
    .

  • Homework 2 due Mon, Mar 6th at 11AM.
    Chapter 1.3 pp 79: 4, 6, 10, 12
    Chapter 2.1 p 131: 11, 12, 15, 20.

  • Homework 3 due Mon, Mar 27th at 11AM.
    Chapter 2.2: 2, 8, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 28.

  • Homework 4 due Wed, Apr 12th at 11AM.
    Chapter 3.1 p 204: 3, 5, 8, 9
    Chapter 3.2 p 228. 2, 3, 6, 7, 11

    Midterm Exam:

    There was an in-class midterm exam on Wed, Mar 15th which covered fundamental group and homology, up to Section 2.2 of Hatcher's book.

    Final Exam:

    There will be a take-home final exam.