[Note: For the MAT 4710 syllabus, please go here.]
Prerequisites: Introduction to Real Analysis (MAT 3220).
Text: Our primary reference will be Topology (2nd Edition) by James R. Munkres ISBN: 978-0-131-81629-9 (used cost approx. $22 -- you can go to Bookfinder.com for prices. It seems this text is more-or-less out of print. However, it is easy enough to find PDFs of our text.
Supplementary Texts: Here are a few inexpensive supplementary texts...Web Page: My webpage is located here:
https://BillCookMath.com
and
our course webpage is located here: https://BillCookMath.com/index.html?page=./courses/math4710-spring2025.
Meeting times: We meet Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays from 10:00am until 10:50am in Walker 314.
Final Exam: We will have final project presentations (tentatively in our usual classroom) during our final exam period. Our final exam period is Wednesday, May 7th from 8:00am until 10:30am.
Lecturer:
| Name: | Dr. William (Bill) Cook | |
| Office: | Walker Hall 345 | |
| Office Hours: |
Monday, Wednesday, & Friday at 8:00am-9:00am & 11:00am-12:00pm (Other times by appointment) |
|
| Phone: | (828) 262-2367 | |
| Email: | cookwj@appstate.edu | |
| Webpage: | https://BillCookMath.com |
Technology: You are welcome to use any technology at your disposal to complete out of class assignments. Calculators and other computer technology will not be allowed on exams or quizzes. This includes cell phones. Your cell phone should never be out during an exam or quiz.
Course topics:
The course catalog says, "A study of the basic concepts of general topological spaces
including such topics as metric spaces, continuous functions, connectedness, product
spaces, and compactness."
We will start off by reviewing basic set theory and covering some possibly unfamiliar
(less than basic) bits of set theory. Then we will look at topological spaces,
metric spaces, connectedness, compactness, and other topics (time permitting).
I plan to cover almost all of the first 3 chapters of Munkres' text as well as parts
of chapters 4 & 5. We may grab some selected topics from the rest of the text
as well.
A tentative course schedule can be found at:
https://BillCookMath.com/courses/math4710-spring2025/schedule.html.
Grades: Your term grade will be based on the results of your tests and final presentation as well as your scores on quizzes and homework and class participation. Here is more information about the individual components of your grade:
Tests: There will be three tests: Set Test (15%), In-the-Midst Term Exam (20%), & Almost Final Exam (20%). While the tentative schedule may list dates, these are like the rest of the schedule - tentative. The actual dates will be negotiated/announced in class. My current plan is to have (in class/timed) portions for the first two tests. It is likely that all tests will have take home portions.
Homework & Quizzes: I will regularly assign sets of homework problems to be turned in for a grade. We may have a few quizzes (if needed). I encourage you to work on your homework with your classmates. However, you must write up your solutions yourself. Do NOT merely copy your collaborators work and turn it in as your own. The homeworks (and quizzes) will make up 30% of your term grade.
Participation & Final Presentations:
Instead of having a final exam we will have final presentations. Everyone will pick a topic to present (this topic will have to be approved and should be something related to what we covered in class). I will require that you create a nice handout to go with your presentation and then
present your topic during the final exam period.
Also, I except you to come to class and participate in discussions. I may periodically ask (especially grad students) to present a homework problem. Participation as well as your final presentation and handout will make up 15% of your term grade.
Here are the components of the term grade with their weights:
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Differences between 5710 and 4710: This course is dual listed with Mat 4710. We have the same meeting times. However, your exams will include extra problems (most likely given as additional take-home portions of the exam) and most homework assignments will include additional problems just for 5710 students. In addition, your presentations and presentation handouts will be held to a higher standard. (Don't you feel special?) 5710 Online? I plan to record each class and make the recordings available soon after each period. If you would like to attend live via Zoom, please let me know. I should be able to set that up (given some lead time). Seated/timed exams? Presentations? We will negotiate these issues as corresponding dates approach.
Attendance: Don't miss class. If you miss class, you are responsible for the material covered during your absence. If you miss a quiz, test/exam, or workshop, you must bring in documentation proving that your absence is excusable or otherwise receive a zero. If a make-up quiz/test/exam is granted, it must be made up before the next quiz/test/exam.
Help! If you need help, please come to my office hours. If you are in Walker Hall and my office door is open, please feel free to stop by and ask questions – even if it's not during my posted office hours.
Fine Print: Copies of the academic integrity code, disability services information, religious observance policies can be found at https://academicaffairs.appstate.edu/resources/syllabi-policy-and-statement-information.