Math 436
Introduction to Topology
Spring 2014

Course description
This three-credit course covers metric spaces; topological spaces; separation axioms; continuity, convergence, connectedness, and compactness; basic notions in homotopy theory; quotient spaces; and paracompactness.
Course objectives
By the end of the course, you should be able to
  • explain the fundamental concepts and theorems of topology;
  • construct topological examples and counterexamples; and
  • apply your knowledge to solve problems and prove theorems.
Textbook
The required textbook is the second edition of Elementary Topology by Michael C. Gemignani.
Prerequisites
The prerequisites for this course are Math 220 (Foundations of Mathematics) and Math 221 (Several Variable Calculus).
Meeting time and place
The course meets in room 223 of the Civil Engineering Building on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 2:20 to 3:35.
The first class meeting is on Tuesday, January 14; the last class meeting is on Thursday, April 24, because the final class day of the semester (Tuesday, April 29) is a redefined day on which students attend their Friday classes.
Exams and grades
There will be examinations in class on February 13 (Thursday) and April 3 (Thursday), each counting for 25% of the course grade. Homework, quizzes, and in-class work count for 25% of the course grade. There is no final examination; instead, you will write a term paper (due on April 25), worth 15% of the course grade. The remaining 10% of the course grade is based on an online journal that you will keep during the semester. Course letter grades are based on the standard scale (60% is passing, 70% or higher earns a C, 80% or higher earns a B, 90% or higher earns an A).
Course website
http://www.math.tamu.edu/~boas/courses/436-2014a/
Office hours
During the Spring 2014 semester, my office hour is on Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 2:30 to 3:30; I am available also by appointment. At the beginning of the semester, my office location is Milner 202, but I expect to move to the Blocker building later in the semester. Update: My new office, as of April 7, is Blocker 601L.
The best way to contact me is via email to boas@tamu.edu. Telephone messages can be left at the Department of Mathematics, 979-845-75543261.