Manifolds (MAT510)
An introduction to smooth manifolds and related concepts in differential geometry.
Course description for study year 2025-2026. Please note that changes may occur.
Course code
MAT510
Version
1
Credits (ECTS)
10
Semester tution start
Autumn
Number of semesters
1
Exam semester
Autumn
Language of instruction
English
Content
This course gives an introduction to smooth manifolds and related concepts in differential geometry. A brief review of essential preliminaries will be provided, including fundamental elementary concepts like sets, maps, groups and algebras. The basics of point-set topology will be covered, followed by a presentation of smooth maps, directional derivatives and tangent vectors in Euclidean space that will be apt to generalise to smooth manifolds. The notion of a smooth manifold will be introduced, with a plethora of familiar (and perhaps not so familiar) examples. Many important related concepts like smooth maps, diffeomorphisms, tangent spaces, differentials, smooth curves, submanifolds, vector fields, integral curves, Lie groups and Lie algebras will also be developed.
Learning outcome
After completing this course, the student should understand how familiar concepts from differential calculus in Euclidean space are subsumed by the framework of smooth manifolds. In particular, the student should be able to state key definitions, perform simple calculations on smooth manifolds and work out detailed properties in examples.
Required prerequisite knowledge
Recommended prerequisites
Exam
Form of assessment | Weight | Duration | Marks | Aid |
---|---|---|---|---|
Written exam | 1/1 | 4 Hours | Letter grades | Basic calculator specified in general exam regulations, Compilation of mathematical formulae (Rottmann), |
Written exam is with pen and paper
Course teacher(s)
Head of Department:
Bjørn Henrik AuestadMethod of work
5-6 hours lecturing and problem solving per week.
Overlapping courses
Course | Reduction (SP) |
---|---|
Mathematical Modelling (MAT500_1) | 10 |