Schafer-Rosenberg RIT on differential and algebraic topology

Subject:

This RIT will deal with topics in algebraic topology related to the study and classification of smooth manifolds. This replaces last year's RIT on non-commutative geometry and L²-cohomology.

References to get started:

M. Kervaire and J. Milnor, Groups of homotopy spheres. I, Ann. of Math. (2) 77 (1963), 504-537. (Incidentally, there never was a part II.)
See also the earlier paper: J. Milnor, On manifolds homeomorphic to the 7-sphere. Ann. of Math. (2) 64 (1956), 399-405.

Meetings:

Meeting for Spring 2004 will be held Tuesday afternoons at 3:30 PM, room MTH 2300, starting February 3, 2004. We expect participating students to take turns presenting the material; the faculty advisers will be available to help and to explain the tricky points.

Faculty Advisers:

James Schafer, room 2112 (phone 55164); Jonathan Rosenberg, room 2114 (phone 55166) or 1106 (phone 55059)

Possible Undergraduate Projects:

Please inquire with the directors.