Math 560/730

This semester we will study a variety of topics in knot theory and low-dimensional topology, including:

Knot and link invariants including Vassiliev invariants, invariants of plane curves and connections to contact topology, braids, 3-manifolds (Heegaard splittings, surgery), and homeomorphisms of surfaces.  There is no required textbook, but much of the course material can be found in Knots, Links, Braids, and 3-Manifolds, by Prasolov and Sossinsky.

Graded assignments: there will be biweekly homework assignments and an end-of-semester paper or presentation.

Prerequisites: Knowledge of point-set topology and the fundamental group and a semester of abstract algebra, or permission of the instructor.

Lecture notes, homework assignments, and articles mentioned in class are available on our Canvas page.