Classical and Modern Geometries
Math 323S
Professor
Hubert Bray
bray@math.duke.edu
189 Math-Physics Building (919)757-8428 (mobile)
Office
Hours: Mondays, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., or by appointment. Please
email me if you are coming after 5:30 p.m. so that I will know not to leave
early.
Text: A Survey of Classical and Modern Geometries by Arthur Baragar.
Objectives:
In this class we will study the geometries of the plane, the sphere,
and hyperbolic space. We will also focus on the historical
and axiomatic development of these three geometries.
Students will also be given opportunities to practice their oral
presentation skills.
Readings and Discussions: You
will be asked to complete regular reading assignments and to be ready
to discuss these readings in class. You are responsible for all
of the material whether it is discussed in class or not. Some
problems will be assigned for discussion on the following day.
Students will be randomly asked to present their answers to these
problems, so be prepared. Class attendance will be counted as
part of the grade for the course.
Homework: Assignments will be made weekly.
Honor
Code: Cooperation on homework is allowed, and the exchange of
ideas is encouraged, but copying solutions from others or allowing
others to copy from you will be considered a violation of the Honor
Code.
Exams: Two exams will be given, the first on
Thursday, October 5, and the second on Tuesday, November 14. Let
me know right away if you have an excused conflict with these
dates. There will not be a final exam.
Projects:
Each student will write a paper and give a 30 minute presentation
during the last three weeks of the semester. The paper is due on
the last day of class. An abstract and outline of your project
will be due on Thursday, October 26.
Grade: The grade for the course will be based on
1) 20%: Attendance and class participation
2) 20%: Homework
3) 20%: Exam #1
4) 20%: Exam #2
5) 20%: Presentation and Paper