The goal of second-semester algebraic topology is to introduce the machinery of modern homotopy theory. Topics include homotopy groups, fibrations and cofibrations, the major theorems (Hurewicz, Whitehead, Blakers-Massey, Freudenthal), Eilenberg-Maclane spaces, classifying spaces, and calculations with the Serre spectral sequence. Further topics will be discussed as time permits.

Course Information

Here is the course syllabus.

The course textbook is Hatcher's "Algebraic topology." It is available from the bookstore or can be found online on the author's webpage.

This semester we will be covering topics in chapter 4, but our coverage will not be directly from the text. Here is a link to a rough outline of topics that are covered on a day-to-day basis.

Homework

• Problem set 1, due Wednesday, January 28.
• Problem set 2, due Wednesday, February 4.
• Problem set 3, due Wednesday, February 11.
• Problem set 4, due Wednesday, February 18.
• No problem set due Wednesday, February 25.
• Problem set 5, due Wednesday, March 4.
• Problem set 6, due Wednesday, March 11.
• Problem set 7, due Wednesday, March 25.
• Problem set 8, due Wednesday, April 1.
• Problem set 9, due Wednesday, April 8.
• Problem set 10, due Wednesday, April 15.

Contact information

If you have questions or comments, please contact me. My contact information is as follows:

• By email: tlawson (at) math.umn.edu
• By phone: 5-6802
• By foot: Vincent Hall 323