‘18.901: Introduction to Topology’

Table of contents

  1. Course Info
  2. Realistic Prerequisites
  3. Subject Matter
  4. Course Staff
  5. Lectures
  6. Problem Sets
  7. Exams
  8. Resources
  9. Grading
  10. Advice to Future Students

Course Info

Class Size 26
Hours/Week 9.0 (13 responses)
Instructors Beibei Liu
Overall Rating 5.6/7.0

Realistic Prerequisites

  • Students found 18.100X,18.701, and proof-writing experience helpful for this course.

Subject Matter

  • Most thought the content was theoretical, foundational, and useful.

Course Staff

  • The professor was approachable and helpful.

Lectures

  • Students found the lectures interesting and helpful, but occasionally too fast.
  • Some referred to the lecture notes more than the lecture content.

Problem Sets

  • Psets were straightforward and the lectures prepared them well for the material.
  • Students spent anywhere from 3-4 to 8-10 hours on psets per week.

Exams

  • The exams were considered stressful and difficult to finish based on time pressure.
  • Students wished practice exams were posted.
  • Students spent a few hours preparing for exams, but did not feel prepared.

Resources

  • The textbooks Topology by Munkres and Algebraic Topology by Hatcher were used in this course.
  • Students referred to course notes by previous instructors.

Grading

  • Students felt that grading was fair and transparent.

Advice to Future Students

  1. “This class is very interesting and worth taking!”
  2. “Go to lectures!”