MAT 568: Differential Geometry

Fall 2010


Instructor. Michael Anderson, Math 4-110.
E-mail: anderson@math.sunysb.edu, Phone: 632-8269.
Lectures: Tu/Th: 12:50-2:10, in Harriman 115.


Office Hours. MWF 2-3pm, and by appointment.


Course Description. This semester course will cover basic issues in Riemannian geometry: metrics, geodesics, connections and curvature. Both conceptual and computational aspects (examples) will be emphasized. This will allow a number of possible directions to pursue in the following semester, MAT 569. (The topic for 569 in Spring 11 will be decided at the end of this semester by your vote and instructor's recommendation).

The syllabus is most of the main topics in Chapters 1-6 of Petersen's text. The presentation of this material in the lectures will often be quite different than that in the text.


Prerequistes MAT 530 and 531, or the equivalent.


Text. Peter Petersen, Riemannian Geometry, Springer Verlag.
This text should be in the bookstore, and you will need it for the assignments.

There are many other good texts on this subject. Some other sources you might like to look at are:

These and many others are in the Library.


Assignments and Grading. There will be occasional reading assignments from the text, and several homework assignments. The course grade is based on your work on these assignments.
Assignments will appear on this page during the course of the semester.


Homework 1, Due 12 October, you can find here (PDF).
Homework 2, Due 28 October, is here (PDF)
Homework 3, Due 2 Dec is here (PDF)

Americans with Disability Act. If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability that may impact your course work, please contact Disabled Student Services in ECC (Educational Communications Center) Building, Room 128, (631) 632-6748, webpage at: DSS. They will determine with you what accomodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation is confidential.

Students who require assistance during emergency evacuation are encouraged to discuss their needs with their professors and Disabled Student Services. For procedures and information, go the following website: http://www.ehs.sunysb.edu/fire/disabilities/asp, here