MATH 312: Fall 2009

Math 312: Differential Geometry
Fall 2009
Professor Megan Kerr

Office: SCI 372
Phone: X3144
or email (preferred)

(last modified Sept. 7, 2009)

| syllabus | weekly assignments |

Textbook: Differential Geometry and its Applications, J. Oprea

Class meetings: TWF: 9:50 -- 11:00 in SCI 364

Office hours: Mon 9 -- 10, Tues. 3:30 - 4:30, Wed. 11:00 - 12:00 and Thurs. 2:30 - 3:30.

I encourage you to arrange your schedule (work, etc.) so that you are able to come to some of my office hours.

Homework:

Weekly problem sets are the bread and butter of this course. These problems will be both fun and challenging. Assignments will be posted Wednesdays on the MATH312-01-F09 conference. Solutions are due at the beginning of class each Wednesday (or under my door, prior to class).
Homework problems marked with a star (*) must be worked out entirely on your own. For the unstarred problems in each assignment, I encourage you to spend a portion of your time working with other students in a study group of about 2 or 3. To learn mathematical reasoning, you will need periods of concentrated individual study, but it is also important that you spend time talking about the subject. You will learn the material better and faster. Explaining the material to someone else tests your understanding.
Since it is important that you learn how to correctly express mathematics yourself, always write your own versions of the solutions to homework problems, even if the details were worked out in your study group. For complete honesty, just note on your paper that the solution was a group effort but your own write-up.
Your lowest homework score for the semester will be dropped. In addition, you will be allowed one late homework, due one week from the due date. Use it wisely. Other than that exemption, late homework will not be graded.

Honor Code:

On homework, collaboration is expected and encouraged. You should feel free to talk to other students while you are in the process of thinking about a problem. However, you should write up your solutions by yourself without outside assistance.
On exams, no help should be given or received.

Exams:

Two (in class) midterm exams: Friday, October 9 and Friday November 6.
A take-home final exam will be distributed Friday December 11, due Wednesday December 16.

Grades:

Homework
Hourly Exams
Final Exam
Total

40 points
20 points each
20 points
100 points

Disabilities:

Students with disabilities who will be taking this course and may need disability-related accommodations are encouraged to make an appointment with me as soon as possible. Also, they should visit the the Pforzheimer Learning and Teaching Center to register for support services.

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Math 312: Differential Geometry Fall 2009 Professor Megan Kerr