MATH 4270/5270 COURSE SYLLABUS

Fall 2016

No Textbook for this Course

Prerequisites: This is an advanced, theory-based course.  Math 3460 and 3110 are required prerequisites; Math 4250 is strongly recommended but not required.

Purpose: This course is intended to provide advanced undergraduates with additional experience in proof techniques while also giving them extensive exposure to topological spaces.  Topics covered include fundamental axioms of the real line, basic cardinality theory, and elementary point set topology, including separation axioms, connectedness, and compactness.

OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course, students will have developed an understanding of: 
1. fundamental properties of the real line, 
2. countable and uncountable sets, 
3. examples of topologies, 
4. separation axioms,
5. compact sets, 
6. continuity and homeomorphisms 
7. first and second countability;

REQUIREMENTS: In general, you are expected to 
1. attend class lectures and work with your assigned small group, 
2. read and study class assignments and solve assigned problems, 
3. ask questions in class when unsure of any concept or unclear on any assigned problem; 
4. meet regularly with your assigned small group and with me; 
5. take all announced exams (including the final) on the day they are scheduled
6. present assigned homework problems regularly in class. 

Grading:  We will cover the material presented in the class notes available on my home page.  There will be approximately three in-class exams. Each week there will be a short definitions and theorem quiz.  You will be assigned homework problems, and you will be assigned a small group to work with.  Most of these problems will be presented to the class, but some may be turned in.   You are expected to work with the people in your small group.  You are expected to be familiar all of the proofs presented in the class text and the homework.  You will be asked to reproduce all or portions of some proofs on the exams.  

CLICK HERE FOR PRESENTATION GUIDELINES

It is very important that you be present for the in-class presentations; consequently, I will take roll each day.  Every four unexcused absences will automatically lower your final grade by one letter.

If you are enrolled in Math 4270, your quiz grades will count 10%, presentations will count 15%,  and exams will count 75% of your final grade. 

Graduate Students:  Graduate students will be assigned to their own small group or groups.  These groups will meet with me on a regular basis; ideally, we should find an extra weekly meeting time for this.  Graduate students will be assigned the more challenging homework exercises for presentation, and there will be a take-home component to all graduate exams.  In addition, graduate students  must also write a short paper on a topology topic and making a poster presentation on this topic at the end of the semester. Quizzes will count 10%, presentations will count 10%,  and your paper/poster presentation will count 10%, and exams will count 70% of your final grade.

A standard grading scale will be used on all graded work: 90-100 --- A, 80 - 89.5 --- B, etc. Particular grades are not curved; there will be an end-of-semester curve on exams based upon class performance.  (The curve is separate for graduate and undergraduate students.)  I use the +/- grading scale for graduate students, but not for undergraduate students.

The notes provided are designed so that you must read and work through the presented examples in order to work the exercises. 

Problem assignments and small group assignments will be made in advance and emailed to you.  You are expected to work as many homework problems as you can in addition to those you are presenting, and you are expected to collect corrected solutions to all homework problems since these will serve as your study guide for the exams.  Presenters are strongly encouraged to use Power Point, MS Word, or some other electronic medium as the basis for their presentations and are encouraged to post the corrected presentations in a place where others in class may access them.  Likewise, corrected copies of homework that is turned in should also be distributed.

If you are not able to take a quiz or exam at the scheduled time, you must schedule a makeup time.  Except for medical or family emergencies, the scheduled makeup time cannot be more than two weekdays after the quiz or exam. 

I usually return an exam or quiz no more than two class days after it is given.  It is your responsibility to monitor your progress in the course.  I strongly recommend you actively ask questions in class or come to my office regularly to discuss your progress.  I will be happy to suggest strategies for helping you succeed, but no strategy provides a quick-fix. Do not wait until the last few weeks of class to try improving your grade. 

THERE ARE NO OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXTRA CREDIT IN THIS COURSE.

IMPORTANT:  It is Department policy not to grant withdrawals after the withdrawal deadline has passed, unless circumstances have arisen which make it impossible for you to complete the course.  Late withdrawals must be approved by the Department Chair and often require documentation for the extenuating circumstances.

 To retain the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship eligibility, you must earn a cumulative TELS GPA of 2.75 after 24 and 48 attempted hours and a cumulative TELS GPA of 3.0 thereafter.  A grade of C, D, F, FA, or I in this class may negatively impact TELS eligibility. If you drop this class, withdraw, or if you stop attending this class you may lose eligibility for your lottery scholarship, and you will not be able to regain eligibility at a later time.For additional Lottery rules, please refer to your Lottery Statement of Understanding form (http://www.mtsu.edu/financial-aid/forms/LOTFOD.pdf) or contact your MT One Stop Enrollment Counselor (http://www.mtsu.edu/one-stop/counselor.php).

An incomplete will be given only in accordance with the University Policy.  If you have a disability that may require assistance or accommodation, or you have questions related to any accommodations  for testing, note takers, readers, etc., please speak with me as soon as possible. Students may also contact the  Office of Disabled Students Services (898-2783) with questions about such services. 

Important dates:                                  

September 5 --- Labor Day Holiday (No Classes)

September 4 --- Last day to drop without a grade         October 26 --- Last day to drop with a "W"

October 8 - 11 --- Fall Break                                            December 1 --- Study Day (No Classes)                        

December 2 - 8 --- Finals Week

FINAL EXAM (Poster Presentation Day)   ---    Tuesday December 6      10:30 AM --- 12:30 PM