T: Differential Geometry - 52444 - MATH 439 - 001 & Introduction to Differentiable manifolds MATH 536
(Spring 2022)

Instructor: Dimiter Vassilev     Office :  SMLC, Office 326  Email: vassilev@unm.edu 

The class is hybrid: T 8:00-9:15 SMLC 352 & Th 8:00-9:15 on Microsoft Office Teams. You need to be registered for the course with a @unm.edu email. Any other email will disable features of Microsoft Teams.

Office Hours: Wednesday 10am-11am and 2pm-3pm on MS Teams.

Textbook: Introduction to Geometry and Topology, ISBN 9783034809825/ 3034809824, Ballmann, Werner (free on the UNM network)
Supplemental books:

  1. Baez J., Muniain J., Gauge Fields, Knots and Gravity
  2. Lafontaine J., An Introduction to Differential Manifolds (free on the UNM network)
  3. Hamilton M., Mathematical Gauge Theory, (free on the UNM network).
  4. Lee J., Introduction to smooth manifolds, (free on the UNM network).

Description: The main goal of the course is to familiarize you with topological and geometric notions and structures through a gentle introduction to some topics motivated by physics and geometry. Specific topics will include basic topology, smooth manifolds, vector field and their flows, differential forms, Stokes theorem, DeRham theory, Lie groups and algebras, Riemannian and semi-Riemannian metrics, vector and fiber bundles, connections. Some applications will be given to Maxwell's Equations and the Yang-Mills Equation. I will assume that you have taken Linear Algebra and Calculus III, preferably also MATH431. However, I will spend time on basic topology.

Please note the following guidelines for the course:


Grades: The final grade will be determined using the homework (100 pts), one midterm exam (100 pts) and a final exam (100 points).  The Final Exam score will replace the midterm score if the latter is lower than the Final Exam score. There will be different expectations based on the registration in MATH439 or MATH536.


Final exam:  check the Final Examination Schedule. Students having conflicts with this exam schedule must notify the appropriate instructor before April 4.


Homework:  The homework will be posted in the class OneNote notebook. The Homework will be due the following Thursday and will be submitted through MS Teams. Instructions on how to submit can be found at Help inserting a printout in the homework  (Web view). You can work together on the homework, but you have to write up your own solutions in your own words. To help the grader, please write your solutions up neatly and clearly and staple the sheets.   It is best if you work and discuss the problems together and with me as questions arise. The highest 10 homeworks will be counted.

Missed Exams:  Make-up exams can be arranged for exams missed with a VALID excuse (illness, family emergency, active participation in scholarly or athletic activities), and ONLY if prior notice is given. 
Academic Honesty. Please note the Regents' Policies: "Academic dishonesty" includes, but is not limited to, dishonesty in quizzes, tests, or assignments; claiming credit for work not done or done by others; hindering the academic work of other students; misrepresenting academic or professional qualifications within or without the University; and nondisclosure or misrepresentation in filling out applications or other University records. Each student is expected to maintain the highest standards of honesty and integrity in academic and professional matters. The University reserves the right to take disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal, against any student who is found guilty of academic dishonesty or who otherwise fails to meet the expected standards. Any student judged to have engaged in academic dishonesty in course work may receive a reduced or failing grade for the work in question and/or for the course.

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COVID information. UNM Administrative Mandate on Required Vaccinations 
UNM requires COVID-19 vaccination and a booster for all students, faculty, and staff, or an approved exemption (see: UNM Administrative Mandate on Required Vaccinations)Proof of vaccination and booster, or a medical, religious, or online remote exemption, must be uploaded to the UNM vaccination verification site. Failure to provide this proof may result in a registration hold and/or disenrollment for students and disciplinary action for UNM employees. Booster Requirement: Individuals who received their second dose of a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine on or before June 15, 2021, or their single dose of a Johnson & Johnson vaccine on or before October 15, 2021, must provide documentation of receipt of a booster dose no later than January 17, 2022. Individuals who received their second dose of a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine after June 15, 2021 or who received their single dose of Johnson & Johnson after November 15, 2021 must provide documentation of receipt of a booster within four weeks of eligibility, according to the criteria provided by the FDA (6 months after completing an initial two-dose Moderna vaccine, 5 months after completing the Pfizer sequence, and 2 months after receiving a one-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine). International students: Consult with the Global Education Office. Exemptions: Individuals who cannot yet obtain a booster due to illness should request a medical, religious, or online remote exemption (which may have an end date) and upload this to the vaccination verification site. Medical and religious exemptions validated in Fall 2021 (see your email confirmation) are also valid for Spring 2022 unless an end date was specified in the granting of a limited medical exemption. Students must apply for a remote online exemption every semester.
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