Math 121:  Introduction to Topology

Syllabus

In this course we introduce the basic notions in topology.

Instructor: Ko Honda

  • Office: MS 7919
  • E-mail: lastname at math dot ucla dot edu 
  • URL: http://www.math.ucla.edu/~honda
  • Office hours: Mon 1pm and Fri 11am

TA: Chi-Hao Wu, chwu93 at math dot ucla dot edu, office hours Th 11am-1pm

Class Meetings: Every week there will be three hours of lecture as well as one hour of discussion.  

  • Lectures: MWF 2-2:50 pm @ MS 5118
  • Discussion section: Th 2-2:50pm @ Boelter 9436

Topics

  1. Metric and topological spaces
  2. Completeness, compactness, connectedness, continuity
  3. Fundamental group, covering spaces, applications
Textbook: Gamelin and Greene, Introduction to Topology, 2nd Ed., Dover

Prerequisite: Math 131A or equivalent


REQUIREMENTS:  You are responsible for carefully reading the following and being aware of all the requirements.  Please ask questions about anything you don't understand.
 

Classroom Expectations

I want you to enjoy this class, but please respect my right to teach and your classmates' rights to learn.
  • Please refrain from disruptive behavior (such as unnecessary talking).
  • Laptop/tablet use is restricted to taking notes.  Your cell phones must be turned off (this in particular means you cannot use your cell phones in class).  Also no reading non-class materials during class.
Grading System
  • Weekly HW: 25%
  • Midterm: 25%
  • Final Exam: 50%
Homework: HW assigned each week will be due by the end of the following Monday (if Monday is a holiday, then Wednesday), on Gradescope.  For example, the HW assigned on Mon 1/8, Wed 1/10, and Fri 1/12 are due on Wed 1/17 since Mon 1/15 is a UCLA holiday; the HW assigned on Wed 1/17 and Fri 1/19 are due on Mon 1/22.  See the class schedule.
  • We will NOT grade the entire HW; rather a subset of the HW will be chosen and graded. 
  • You may work with others, consult other textbooks, and look up resources online (although I don't recommend it) but the HW you turn in must be written by you, in your own words, and you must cite your sources used and your collaborators. Any HW without proper attribution or not written in your own words will be considered plagiarized and will automatically receive a 0, and you may be subject to disciplinary action depending on the severity of the infraction.
  • Please pay attention to your writing:  The solutions you submit must be clean (i.e., no rambling discussions and the logical order should be clear) and complete.  Even if you have the right idea, if we do not understand what you write, points will be taken off.

Midterms:  There will be one in-class midterm exam during the quarter (Monday, February 12).  No makeup midterms will be given.  Any absence on a midterm will result in a score of 0, unless excused.  In case of an excused absence, the final exam grade will replace the midterm grade that is missed.  It is your responsibility to let me know in advance if you will be absent for a legitimate reason, so I can excuse you.  In case of an emergency (e.g., sudden illness), please supply some documentation afterwards (e.g., doctor's note).  If you have any conflicts with the midterm, please come talk to me about it within the first two weeks of class.

Final Exam:  Monday 3/18, 8am-11am

Academic Integrity
The instructor strongly adheres to the University policies regarding academic integrity violations, and will strictly enforce these rules. You are encouraged to review the UCLA Student Conduct Code.

Students with Disabilities 

Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a disability is required to register with the Center for Accessible Education (CAE).

WARNING:  The course syllabus provides a general plan for the course; deviations may become necessary. 

Last modified:  January 3, 2024.