Cornell Math - MATH 661, Fall 2003
MATH 661
Knots and Braids
(Fall 2003)
Instructor: Tara Brendle
The course will give a basic introduction to the theory of knots and braids. We will cover a selection of the following topics, as time permits: the Alexander polynomial, the Jones polynomial, the Arf invariant, Dehn surgery on 3-manifolds, coverings and branched covers, representations of braid groups, and the Markov theorem for braids. The course is open to all graduate students. No background in algebraic topology is required (though some background in basic point-set topology is assumed).