2019 Advanced topics in Geometry G1

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Academic unit or major
Graduate major in Mathematics
Instructor(s)
Kalman Tamas 
Class Format
Lecture     
Media-enhanced courses
Day/Period(Room No.)
Fri5-6(H117)  
Group
-
Course number
MTH.B507
Credits
1
Academic year
2019
Offered quarter
3Q
Syllabus updated
2019/3/18
Lecture notes updated
-
Language used
English
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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 knots, links, their genus and fibredness, overview of knot Floer homology Definitions and properties
Class 2 Alexander polynomial (infinite cyclic cover, Rolfsen’s surgical view、Seifert matrix), Seifert's theorem Definitions and properties
Class 3 Neuwirth's theorem, Fox calculus Definitions and properties
Class 4 Kauffman’s state model、Conway skein relation, grid diagrams Definitions and properties
Class 5 combinatorial definition of knot Floer homology, its degree and Euler characteristic Definitions and properties
Class 6 d^2=0 and invariance, outline of Floer homology in general Definitions and properties
Class 7 Morse functions, Morse lemma, sublevel sets, Heegard splittings Definitions and properties
Class 8 gradient flow, transversality, moduli spaces and their orientations Definitions and properties

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

Homework assignments (100%)

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) and complex analysis (Riemann mapping theorem).

Other

I welcome any questions regarding this course.

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