Math 432: Set Theory and Topology

Spring 2017

Class info	Instructor info	Course material
Lecture: TueThu 11–11:20am in 143 Henry Admin. Deconfusion session: Tue 5-5:50pm in 145 Altgeld Emergency Info	Midterm 1: Feb 16 (Thu), 11–12:20pm in 143 Henry Admin. Midterm 2: Mar 30 (Thu), 11–12:20pm in 143 Henry Admin. Final exam: May 11 (Thu), 7–10:00pm in 143 Henry Admin.	Name: Anush Tserunyan Email: anush at illinois dot edu Office: 369 Altgeld Hall

Time and place: May 11 (Thu), 19:00–22:00 in 143 Henry Admin.
Coverage: Everything covered since the beginning of the semester up to compactness and equivalences between different definitions (inclusively).
How to study (in decreasing priority): Carefully review all of the definitions and theorems we've learnt in class, structure the material and write a summary for yourself. Do the optional Homework 13 [pdf], which contains problems on the most recent material. Review all homework problems.

Textbook: Kaplansky I, Set Theory and Metric Spaces, Second Edition, AMS Chelsea Publishing, 1957
Additional notes: A. Tserunyan, A quick introduction to basic set theory [pdf, last update: Feb 28 at 6:10pm]
What will be covered: Informal set theory, cardinal and ordinal numbers, and the axiom of choice; topology of metric spaces and introduction to general topological spaces

When is it due? Homework will be assigned each week and collected on Thursday in class before the lecture starts.
Will late homework be accepted? No. To deal with contingencies, the lowest homework score will be dropped (won't count towards the total homework percentage).
Can we work in groups? Yes, in fact, it is encouraged! But, after a group discussion of solutions to the homework exercises, each student has to write them on his/her own in his/her own words. If two solutions are too similar, they will be disqualified.
Homework format: Every homework assignment will consist of exercises from the textbook as well as not from the textbook (both equally mandatory). Occasionally, it will include writing a short essay with your reflection of specific aspects of the covered material.

Grading scheme: total grade = homework 10% + essays&attendence 3% + midterms 2 x 23% + final exam 41%
Where to look for your grades: All of your scores for homework and exams will be recorded on Moodle (learn.illinois.edu). Log in with your UIUC netID and click on Math 432.
Letter grades: The final letter grade will be assigned based on the overall percentage obtained by the above grading scheme. The overall percentages will be curved in the very end of the semester, but no exam (midterms and final) will be curved individually.
Letter grade distribution: Up to minor adjustments, the top 33% of students will get an A grade (including plus and minus), the middle 34% a B grade, and the bottom 33% a C grade and lower.
Grading disputes: Regularly check your homework and exam scores on Moodle to verify that they are correct. Any grading complaints must be submitted within two weeks of the due date or exam date of the grade in question.

Instead of holding office hours in my office, I will be holding weekly Deconfusion Sessions, during which I will just be in a classroom (to be posted above) for an hour and you can come ask questions or simply work on your homework. I encourage working in groups and having group discussions of problems. I will be there to help you when you get stuck. I strongly advise everyone to come even if they don't have any questions and even if they have fallen behind; the latter students can start reading the missed material and ask me questions about it while reading.
If you need to talk to me regarding other matters, email me to schedule an appointment.