This course is a second course in algebraic topology, and assumes as background 18.905 or an equivalent course on homology and cohomology. This course covers the fundamentals of homotopy theory, spectral sequences, characteristic classes, and cohomology operations.

Some basic questions about the course can be answered by the course syllabus.

There is no specific course textbook that you need to purchase. Here are some available online textbooks:

• Algebraic Topology, by Allen Hatcher.
• A concise course in algebraic topology, by J. P. May. (PDF link)
• Spectral Sequences in Algebraic Topology, by Allen Hatcher.

It's worth noting that OpenCourseWare has a series of lecture notes and assignments from the 18.906 course given by Mark Behrens last year. The course this year will not be precisely the same, but covers some of the same material.

Assignments

There will be weekly problem sets posted here. The course has no final exam.

Problem set 1. (Due February 14.)

Problem set 2. (Due February 21.)

Problem set 3. (Due February 28.)

Problem set 4. (Due March 7.) (Correction Feb. 28) Alternate question 2.

Problem set 5. (Due March 14.) (COMPLETELY new version March 7; old version is still here.)

Problem set 6. (Due March 21.)

Problem set 7. (Due FRIDAY, April 6.) (Multiple total corrections, April 2.)

Problem set 8. (Due April 11.)

Problem set 9. (Due April 18.)

Problem set 10. (Due April 25.)

Problem set 11. (Due May 2.)

Problem set 12. (Due May 9.)

Contact information

I can be contacted as follows.

• By email: tlawson (at) math.mit.edu
• By phone: 3-4385
• By foot: Room 2-171