Math 261: Algebraic Topology 1

This will be a standard 1-semester course in algebraic topology. Topics to be covered include:

• cutting and pasting
• the fundamental group
• covering spaces
• singular homology and its basic properties
• simplicial and cellular homology
• Euler characteristic

There will be lots of examples and applications to help students learn the material.

The text will be chosen from:

1. Marvin J. Greenberg: Algebraic Topology. (This book is out of print. There is a revised version by Greenberg and Harper, which I do not like and will not use.)
2. A. Hatcher: Algebraic Topology (Available from Amazon or by free download from Hatcher's web site.)