Math 436
Section 500
Introduction to Topology
Spring 2018

Course description
This three-credit course covers the notions of topological spaces; product spaces and quotient spaces; metric spaces; separation axioms; continuity, convergence, connectedness, and compactness; and possibly additional topics if time permits.
Course objective
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 for this section of the course is Topology Without Tears by Sidney A. Morris. This book is available as a free pdf download from the author’s website.
Prerequisites
The official prerequisites for this course are Foundations of Mathematics (Math 220) and Several Variable Calculus (Math 221 or Math 251 or Math 253). The essential background is some exposure to writing mathematical proofs (which Math 220 provides).
Meeting time and place
The course meets in room 164 of the Blocker building on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons from 12:40 to 1:30.
Since January 15 is the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, the class first meets on Wednesday, January 17. The final class meeting of the semester is on May 1, a Tuesday that is redefined as a Friday.
Exams and grades
There will be examinations in class on February 23 (Friday) and April 11 (Wednesday). The comprehensive final examination will be on May 4 (Friday) from 10:30 to 12:30. Each of these three examinations counts for 25% of the course grade. Homework/classwork counts for the remaining 25% of the course grade. 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/436-2018a/
Office hours
During the Spring 2018 semester, my office hour in Blocker 601L is on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 3:00 to 4:00. I am available also by appointment.
The best way to contact me is via email to boas@tamu.edu. Telephone messages can be left at the Department of Mathematics, 979-845-7554.