UnitLevel 4Postgraduate

MTH4113 Low-dimensional topology

Faculty of Science

MTH4113 Low-dimensional topology is a level 4, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Science. It isn't offered in 2021. It has no prerequisites.

Credit points
6
Offered in 2021
Not offered
Assessment
Exam 60%
and 1 other task

This is the 2021 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.

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Requisites

Before MTH4113

No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.

After MTH4113

No unit lists MTH4113 as a prerequisite in the 2021 handbook.

Enrolment rules

PROHIBITION: MTH5113

PREREQUISITE: MTH3130

COREQUISITE: Enrolment in the Master of Mathematics.

Equivalent units

The same content under another code. Only one of them counts.

Overview

The study of low-dimensional topology is the study of spaces of dimensions 2, 3, and 4, including the study of surfaces and their symmetries, knots and links, and structures on 3 and 4-manifolds. It has applications to mathematical fields such as geometry and dynamics; it also has modern applications to fields such as microbiology, physics, and computing. The unit will cover core concepts in low-dimensional topology such as surfaces and the mapping class group, descriptions of 3-manifolds by Heegaard splittings and Dehn fillings, cobordism in 4-dimensions. Additional topics may include prime and torus decompositions of 3-manifolds, knot and link invariants, contact and symplectic structures on manifolds, foliations, 3-manifold geometries, and applications to mathematical physics.

Offerings in 2021

The 2021 handbook lists no offerings for MTH4113.

Assessment

  • In-semester assessment
    40%
  • Examination (3 hours and 10 minutes)Threshold hurdle
    60%

Learning outcomes

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

  1. 1

    Formulate complex mathematical arguments using ideas from low-dimensional topology.

  2. 2

    Apply sophisticated tools of low-dimensional topology to tackle novel problems, for example, to distinguish or classify new spaces, etc.

  3. 3

    Communicate mathematical concepts and arguments.

  4. 4

    Apply critical thinking to judge the validity of mathematical reasoning.

Workload and teaching

  • Lectures36 hours
  • Applied sessions11 hours
  • Teaching approachActive learning
  • 3 hours of lectures
  • 1-hour tutorial and
  • 8 hours of independent study per week

Active learning will occur in lectures and applied classes.

Contacts

Chief Examiners
Associate Professor Jessica Purcell
Unit Coordinators
Associate Professor Jessica Purcell

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for MTH4113?

MTH4113 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.

When is MTH4113 offered?

MTH4113 has no offerings listed in the 2021 handbook.

Does MTH4113 have an exam?

Yes. The exam is worth 60% of the final mark, alongside 1 other task.

More details

Credit points
6
Level
4
Study level
Postgraduate
Faculty
Faculty of Science
Organisational unit
School of Mathematics
Type
Coursework
EFTSL
0.125
Student contribution
SCA Band 1
Study abroad
Available