Topics in Geometry and Topology
Instructor: Dr. Eric
Rowell. email: rowell@math.tamu.edu,
webpage: www.math.tamu.edu/~rowell. Office Blocker 510B
Place and Time: BLOC 605AX MWF 10:20-11:10am.
Course Objectives: In
this course you will develop geometric and topological intuition
through a hands-on approach to major elementary results in geometry and
topology. Although proofs of many theorems will be presented, the
emphasis will be on understanding the concepts intuitively. You will
learn to think
geometrically and understand topological arguments. The format of the
class
will be approximately 50% lecture and 50% group activities.
Text: Jeffrey Weeks: The Shape of Space (2nd edition):
ISBN-13: 978-0824707095.
Grading: The grading will be based on journals
(40%) that the students will turn in periodically (approximately every
3 weeks), class participation
(10%), a
final project that will be written (40%) and presented (10%). The
journals will be on specific prompts, much like ordinary homework
problems,
and are graded equally on effort and correctness. For example a
correct, 1 word answer will get at most 1/2 credit, whereas a
well-thought-out but inconclusive explanation of an attempted solution
will not be given a
0. The writing project will be turned in twice: once as a rough draft
(25%) and again as a final draft (15%). You must pass the writing component of the course to pass the course.
Exams: There are no exams. There is NO in-class final exam.
Research Project: The writing project will be a
research
paper of 5-10 pages
on a topic in geometry or topology: you should choose.
You may include images, figures
and indented/block quotes, but these do not count towards the page
constrants (so an 11 page paper with lots of images. might be ok, but a
5 page paper with images might not be). Moreover, the works
cited/bibliography does not count towards the page constraints.
Homework/Journal Entries: Prompts for journal entries will be given in class, which will be collected and graded as described above.
Course Policies: Late homework and make-ups for missed exams will only be guaranteed for a university approved excuse in writing, other situtations (interviews etc.) will be considered on a case-by-case basis, but must always be supported with documentation. Wherever possible, students should inform the instructor before an exam or major assignment is missed. Consistent with University Student Rules, students are required to notify an instructor by the end of the next working day after missing an exam. Otherwise, they forfeit the right to a make-up.
An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do. Copying work that was done by others is an act of scholastic dishonesty and any instance of it will be prosecuted according to University Student Rules.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact Disability Services, currently located in the Disability Services building at the Student Services at White Creek complex on west campus or call 979-845-1637. For additional information visit http://disability.tamu.edu.
Writing Project/Plagiarism:
Your Writing Project should be the product of your own research.
This means you should cite references properly (use any standard format
you choose). See this page
by Prof. Gregory of Washington and Lee University for a description of
plagiarism (which should be avoided, as it is heavily penalized).
Long quotes (4+ standard lines) should usually be indented/blocked, but
remember these do not count towards your page constraints. I
reserve 5% of the writing project grades to reward good and interesting
writing. At least 3 sources must be cited, and at least 2 must be
static (i.e. unchanging, unlike Wikepedia). Help is available for
general writing questions at The
University Writing Center.
Copyright Policy: All printed materials disseminated in class or on the web are protected by Copyright laws. One photocopy (or printout from the web) is allowed for personal use. Multiple copies or sale of any of these materials is strictly prohibited.
Key Dates (tentative):
Journal Entry Assignments: