Instructor
Professor Shelly Harvey
Herman Brown 446
Phone: x3659
svhvevlvlvy at rice dot edu (take out "v")

Course Information
Class meets: MWF 10am -- 10:50am in HB 423
Office Hours: Mon 1-2pm, Tues and Thurs 2-3pm
Recitation: Monday 6-7pm (HB 427)
Webpage: http://math.rice.edu/~shelly/300f09/
All homework and reading assignments can be found on OWL-Space
Teaching Assistant: Carolyn Otto (cvovtvtvo at rice dot edu, take out "v")

Textbook
Knot Theory by Charles Livingston (required)

Other useful references
The Knot Book by Colin Adams (book, includes a lot of open problems)
Knot Knotes by Justin Roberts (notes found at http://math.ucsd.edu/~justin/Papers/knotes.pdf, slightly more advanced than Livingston or Adams)

Course Description
Knot theory is the study of smooth simple closed curves in 3-dimensional space. Knot theory is a large and active research area of mathematics that employs advanced techniques of abstract algebra and geometry. It is an essential tool in the study of 3 and 4-dimensional manifolds. The purpose of this course is to learn the basics of knot theory. We will learn how to formalize knots and learn techniques to distinguish them from one another. We will also discuss open problems in knot theory. Some topics we may discuss are Reidemeister moves, mod-p colorings, knot determinants, knot polynomials, Seifert surfaces, Euler characteristic, knot groups, and untying knots in 4-dimensions. The course will be mostly self-contained and will have an emphasis on careful proof writing.

Homework and Exams
Homeworks will be assigned every Wednesday and will be due the following Wednesday in class (or before class) unless otherwise stated; they will be posted on OWL-Space (use your netid to log in). Homework solutions must be legible. You must show all of your work for full credit. Late homework will receive at most 1/2 credit. There will be one midterm and a final exam. Good mathematical exposition will be counted on both exams and homework.

Grades
Your grade in the class will be based on the following weights:
Homework: 35%
Presentation 5%
Midterm:25%
Final Exam: 35%

Disability Support
Any student with a documented disability needing academic adjustments or accommodations is requested to speak with me during the first week of class. All discussions will remain confidential. Students with disabilities need to also contact Disability Support Services in the Ley Student Center.