This is the course information website for Math 341: Topics in Geometry.
All other material for the class will be posted on the Moodle page.
Meeting times: MWF 2:40-3:30pm, Eliot 207.
Office hours: M 3:40-4:30pm, Tu 2-3pm, Th 1:30-3:30pm; you can also make an appointment or stop by my office. If my door is open, you are welcome in. My office is a safe space to ask questions.
Text: Lectures on Polytopes - Günter M. Ziegler.
You might also find the following texts helpful:
Course description: This course is an introduction to polytopes (higher dimensional versions of polygons), focusing on their combinatorial properties.
Participation: I expect you to actively engage in conversations in class by asking questions and participating in classroom discussions.
Homework: will be posted on Moodle and will be due at the beginning of class on Wednesdays. Late homework may be accepted for partial credit, depending on extenuating circumstances, but you must talk with me.
Solutions should be written neatly or typeset (preferably using LaTeX. Resources are available here). and should use complete sentences. An ideal solution is written as an explanation meant for other students in the class. Please order and staple your solutions.
Each problem in the homework receives a two-component grade. The first component is mathematical content, and it is graded according to the following scale:
The second component is mathematical writing and it is graded on a 0-2 scale.
Collaboration policy: I encourage you to work on homework together, this is a great way of learning. But YOU MUST WRITE UP YOUR OWN SOLUTIONS INDEPENDENTLY. For total disclosure, write the names of your collaborators and tutors.
Final project: will be due at the end of the term. The project is on the topic of your choice (related to polytopes), I will provide a list of possible topics later in the term. The project will entail a written document and an in-class presentation.
Important dates:
You will be assigned two presentations from your classmates to review.
Grades: Your grade will be based on your performance on the homework, final project (including the proposal), and class participation.
Technology: The use of electronic devices (computers, cell phones, tablets, etc) is not allowed in the classroom without my authorization. Talk to me if you have a specific reason for needing to use technology (for example, note taking).
Academic honesty: As noted above, for homework you should write your own solutions and disclose your collaborators. The internet is a great source of information about mathematics; you are welcome to search information about the material of the course online, but you should not search for solutions to specific problems in the homework.
Accommodations: If you have a documented disability requiring accommodations please let me know as soon as possible and make sure I get the official notification from Disability Support Services (DSS). I cannot provide accommodations after an assignment has been turned in or within 24 hours of an exam. If you have an undocumented disability you should contact DSS, and I can help you navigate that process.
A final remark: Learning and understanding mathematics requires engaging with the material several times. You might not get what is happening on the first try. Struggling with the material is normal, and maybe even expected.
By doing the reading, actively participating in class, explaining your ideas and insights, listening to your peers, spending time working on the homework, reviewing the material, and talking to me, you will increase your understanding. Use the resources available!