MAT 362: Differential Geometry of Surfaces

Spring 2007


Instructor. C Denson Hill, Math Tower 2-113.
E-mail: dhill@math.sunysb.edu
Lectures: Tu/Th: 12:50-2:10, in Harriman 115.


Office Hours. To be arranged.


Course Description. The foundation of differential geometry is the concept of curvature. The course will focus on understanding this and related concepts very clearly, both geometrically and computationally, for the case of surfaces in Euclidean space. For this, you'll need a solid background in multivariable calculus and linear algebra. We hope to give some idea of how curvature is understood in higher dimensions; this is the basis of Riemannian geometry and General Relativity.


Prerequisites. MAT 205 (Calc III) and MAT 210 (Linear Algebra).


Text. M. do Carmo, Differential Geometry of Curves and Surfaces, Prentice-Hall. NOTE: A reputable used book seller where students can get the international (paperback) version for a reasonable price is here.


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.

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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