MTH 434/534: Differential Geometry
Winter 2020

Announcements,   Homework

Tevian Dray

Office hours: MWF 2:15–2:45 PM & F 10:30–11:30 in Kidder 298A (and by appt)

Phone: (541) 737-5159

Email:

Class Meetings:

MWF 3–3:50 PM in Bexl 416

Text:

Barrett O'Neill, Elementary Differential Geometry (2nd edition)

Web Site: http://math.oregonstate.edu/~tevian/onid/MTH434

Check the announcements page frequently.

Course Evaluation:

There will be (roughly) weekly homework (30% of grade), a midterm (30%), and a final (40%).

Course Description:

This course is a traditional introduction to curves and surfaces in 3-dimensional Euclidean space.

Although there is considerable overlap with the alternate version of this course that discusses other dimensions and signatures, this version does not do so, and therefore does not provide quite as good preparation for a course in general relativity such as MTH 437/537. (The alternate sequence, including MTH 437/537, will likely next be offered in 2021.)

A partial list of course goals can be found here.

Prerequisites:

The formal prerequisites for MTH 434 are MTH 255 and MTH 342; MTH 311 is not required, although it does significantly develop mathematical maturity. However, the real prerequisite is a certain amount of scientific maturity, rather than background in a particular area; a working knowledge of multivariable calculus and linear algebra should be sufficient.

Students not meeting the formal prerequisites will need to contact the instructor to request an override.

Students with Disabilities:

Accommodations are collaborative efforts between students, faculty and Disability Access Services (DAS). Students with accommodations approved through DAS should contact me prior to or during the first week of the term to discuss accommodations. Students who believe they are eligible for accommodations but who have not yet obtained approval through DAS should contact DAS immediately. Further information is available on the DAS website.