2023 Advanced topics in Geometry H1

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Academic unit or major
Graduate major in Mathematics
Instructor(s)
Kalman Tamas 
Class Format
Lecture    (Face-to-face)
Media-enhanced courses
Day/Period(Room No.)
Fri5-6(M-112(H117))  
Group
-
Course number
MTH.B508
Credits
1
Academic year
2023
Offered quarter
4Q
Syllabus updated
2023/9/14
Lecture notes updated
-
Language used
English
Access Index

Course description and aims

We will cover important subjects in low-dimensional geometric topology, such as knots, links, three-manifolds, the Alexander polynomial, and Morse theory, all with a view toward developing Floer homology. Floer homology is central to modern topology and related fields, with many manifestations. In this course we concentrate on Heegaard Floer homology and its applications.

Student learning outcomes

We aim to prepare students for research in low-dimensional topology.

Keywords

knots, links, three-manifolds, Alexander polynomial, genus and fibredness, Morse theory, Floer homology

Competencies that will be developed

Specialist skills Intercultural skills Communication skills Critical thinking skills Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

regular lecture course

Course schedule/Required learning

  Course schedule Required learning
Class 1 compactness via broken flow lines, gluing, Morse complex Definitions and properties
Class 2 equivalence of Morse homology and singular homology Definitions and properties
Class 3 symplectic geometry, Lagrangian submanifolds, action functional Definitions and properties
Class 4 pseudoholomorphic curves, Lagrangian intersections, Maslov index Definitions and properties
Class 5 Heegaard diagrams, spin^c structures Definitions and properties
Class 6 lHeegaard Floer homology of a closed three-manifold Definitions and properties
Class 7 d^2=0, invariance, the original definition of knot Floer homology Definitions and properties

Out-of-Class Study Time (Preparation and Review)

To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.

Textbook(s)

No textbook

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Survey papers by Juhasz (arXiv:1310.3418) and Manolescu (http://arxiv.org/abs/1401.7107), plus online lecture notes by Hutchings (http://math.berkeley.edu/~hutching/teach/276-2010/mfp.ps).

Assessment criteria and methods

based on homework assignments

Related courses

  • MTH.B202 : Introduction to Topology II
  • MTH.B301 : Geometry I
  • MTH.B302 : Geometry II

Prerequisites (i.e., required knowledge, skills, courses, etc.)

Basic algebraic topology (homology, cohomology, and the fundamental group), complex analysis (Riemann mapping theorem), and the previous quarter of this class.

Other

I preserve the right to change the listed topics. If the audience overlaps with the same course from last year, then I definitely will change topics. Possible alternatives are, for example, the Homfly polynomial and more advanced development of Heegaard Floer theory.

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