Syllabus

Topology - Mathematics 460 - Fall 2003

Class Meetings: MWF 11:30-12:25, Mosher 2.

Text: There is no required textbook. I will hand out class notes, as well as post them on the class website at www.rnaimi.oxy.edu/topology/classnotes/index.htm. I will also occasionally assign homework problems from the book by V. Prasolov, Intuitive Topology.  This is a good book, and I encourage you to purchase it, but you don't have to; I will give handouts containing the assigned problems. If you do end up buying the book, make sure to resist the temptation to look at the solutions before turning in homework (I'll just trust you on this). I also recommend James R. Munkres, Topology, which is an excellent textbook.

Homework: HW will be assigned in every class meeting, due the next class meeting. I will not collect HW; instead, we will work together on the HW problems in class. But, because we won't have time to cover every problem in class, you are strongly encouraged to work with your classmates or get help from me or the CTL on problems you can't do. Doing HW is essential to learning mathematics—there is no way around it. You must take it seriously, and should expect to spend at least two to three hours every other day on it!

Quizzes: There will be a ~30-minute quiz roughly every other week (dates will be announced ahead of time).

Final : The final exam will be on Tuesday December 9, 1:00-4:00 PM. Please make sure you do not have any time conflicts with this date and time (or any early travel plans), as I do not give early or late finals!

Make-ups: No make-up exams will be given. If you miss a quiz with a valid excuse (e.g., a medical reason), and provide documentation for it, that quiz will simply not count for you—instead, your other quizzes and final exam will count proportionally more. This policy does not apply to the final exam.

Extra Credit Problems: On each exam there may be one or more challenging problems designated as extra credit problems. They do not carry any points; but, in borderline cases, they may help you earn a higher grade.

Grading: I use a "curve" for grades, but in a small class such as ours, the curve will necessarily be somewhat subjective: I will determine it according to the overall performance of the class, the material covered, exams, homework, etc. But you are guaranteed a grade of at least A- for 90% or higher, B+ for 87% or higher, B for 83% or higher and so on (every ten points). A score of 95% or higher guarantees you an A. Your total number of points for the semester will be computed according to the table to the right.

Attendance and Participation 5% Quizzes 60% Final 35%

Attendance: It counts towards the grade: two points per class meeting, one point if you are late, zero if absent.  You are responsible for everything that goes on in every class meeting, such as announcements, handouts, taught topics that are not in the class notes, etc.  This means even if you miss a class for a valid reason, it is your responsibility to contact me and find out what you missed.

E-mail: When necessary, I will make announcements via the class mailing list, instead of in the classroom. You are expected to check your email at least once a day. You are encouraged to use our class email list, math460-L@oxy.edu, to send messages to everyone in the class.

Academic Honesty: I feel strongly about protecting honest and hard-working students against unfair and dishonest actions sometimes committed by a few. I don't give warnings; I refer all suspicious cases to the Judicial Examiner without hesitation.

Students with learning disability: you are welcome to see me and the CTL to arrange for any special needs.