Math231A: Algebraic Topology

[Syllabus updated]

Time: 12:00-1:15 pm, Monday-Wednesday

Place: Science Center 304

Instructor: Fan Ye, fanye@math.harvard.edu

Course Assistant: Greg Wong gregwong@college.harvard.edu

Office Hours: 

Fan Ye, SC 505H, MW 1:15-2:15pm

Greg Wong M 8-9:30 pm Leverett Dining Hall, Th 3-4:30 pm math lounge

Main References: 

Lectures on Algebraic Topology by Haynes Miller, Chapters 1-3.

Algebraic topology by Allen Hatcher, Chapters 2-3.

Other suggested references: W. Fulton: Algebraic Topology; E. Spanier: Algebraic Topology; Greenberg and Harper: Algebraic Topology: A First Course

Prerequisites: An undergraduate-level understanding of topology. An undergraduate may look at Basic Topology by M. A. Armstrong.

Tentative Course Outline: 

• Weeks 1-4: Singular Homology
• Weeks 5-8: Computational methods
• Weeks 9-14: Cohomology and duality