MA4J2, Three-Manifolds
Winter 2011

Course Description

An introduction to the geometry and topology of three-dimensional manifolds, a natural extension of MA3F1 (Introduction to Topology) which is a prerequisite.

Schedule

The schedule has a planned list of topics, organized by lecture. Links to example sheets will be posted week-by-week.

Instructor and Marker

Name Building/Office E-mail Phone Office Hours
Saul Schleimer 35/B2.14 s dot schleimer at warwick dot ac dot uk 024 7652 3560 See webpage.
Sara Maloni 35/B2.39 s dot maloni at warwick dot ac dot uk N/A N/A

Class meetings

Activity Led by Time Building/Room
Support class Maloni Monday 10-11am 35/B3.01
Lecture Schleimer Tuesday 12-1pm 35/B3.03
Scribe meeting Schleimer Wednesday 11-11:30am 35/B2.14
Lecture Schleimer Thursday 12-1pm 35/B3.03
Lecture Schleimer Friday 3-4pm 35/B3.03

Reference materials

Several students (Winstel, Pressland, Kitson, and Scott) have prepared notes, with many lovely figures, for the course. Our two main references were:

Three-dimensional manifolds (Chapters 1-2, 3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-12, Exercises 1 and 2), by Marc Lackenby and
Notes on basic 3-manifold topology, by Allen Hatcher.

Other useful references include:
3-manifolds, by John Hempel.
Knots and links, by Dale Rolfsen.
The theory of normal surfaces, by Cameron Gordon, typeset by Richard Kent.
The geometries of 3-manifolds, by Peter Scott.
Three-dimensional geometry and topology, by William Thurston.
Topology of 3-dimensional fibered spaces, by Herbert Seifert.

Example sheets

See the schedule for the example sheets.

Exam

The exam will be 85% of your mark. The exam will be closed book.

Assessed work

Assessed work will be 18% of your mark. 2% (at most) may be earned every week (starting the second week) you turn in a single worked exercise. Note that 85 + 18 = 103.

Homework solutions must be turned into Sara Maloni at the beginning of the support class. No late work will be accepted. Please include your name, the date, and the problem you are solving at the top of the page. Solutions typeset using LaTeX are preferred. Please limit your solution to one piece of paper -- if you find you need more space, write out a complete solution and then rewrite with conciseness in mind.

Mistakes

Please tell me in person, or via email, about any errors on this website or made in class. I am especially keen to hear about mathematical errors, gaffes, or typos made in lecture or in the example sheets.