Instructor. Michael Anderson, Math 4-110.
E-mail: anderson@math.sunysb.edu, Phone: 632-8269.
Lectures: MW: 2:30-3:50, in Physics P129.

Office Hours. Tu/Th/F 2-3pm, and by appointment.

Course Description. This course is an introduction to Ricci flow, primarily centered on Ricci flow on 3-manifolds, but also discussing topics and results valid in all dimensions. The list of topics we hope to cover includes:

• Statement/meaning of Thurston geometrization conjecture/theorem.
• Ricci flow: what it is and why use it?
• Short-time existence/Ricci-Deturck flow, harmonic coordinates.
• Basic ideas and techniques in Hamilton's sphere theorem.
• Singularities, blow-ups, Gromov compactness theorem.
• Introduction to Perelman's ideas and work.

Prerequisites. A basic knowledge of Riemannian geometry, at the level of MAT 568 for example. You should definitely know for instance what Ricci curvature is.

Source Material. There are many recent textbooks on Ricci flow, including texts by Ben Chow and Dan Knopf, Peter Topping, and others as well. However, we will not be following one particular text.

Assignments. TBA (Possibly presentations of certain topics to the class).

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. They will determine with you what accomodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation is confidential.
Students requiring 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