RIEMANNIAN GEOMETRY - 2021/2

Module Overview

The module introduces the subject of manifolds of dimension greater than two, with particular emphasis on manifolds which admit a metric which enables the measurement of distance. The course begins with the introduction of manifolds and metrics, with illustrative examples such as spheres, hyperbolic spaces, and Lie groups. The course continues with geodesics, isometries, covariant derivatives, the Levi Civita connection, and concludes with curvature and its properties.

Module provider

Mathematics

Module Leader

GUTOWSKI Jan (Physics)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

MAT2047

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• 
  Manifolds and Vector Fields: (2.5 weeks) Abstract manifolds, with examples such as spheres and Lie groups. Tangent vectors and vector fields, integral curves. The vector field commutator and its geometric interpretation. Jacobi identity. Lie derivatives.
  


• 
  Metrics, geodesics and isometries: (2.5 weeks) Metrics and pull-back Metrics, with examples. Isothermal co-ordinates. Derivation of geodesic equations. Examples of isometries and application to solving the geodesic equations.
  

• 
  Covariant Derivative: (3 weeks) Affine connections, torsion, Christoffel symbols, the Levi-Civita connection. Parallel transport with application to geodesics.
  


• 
  Curvature: (3 weeks) Curvature tensor, algebraic and geometric properties of Riemann curvature. Ricci tensor and scalar. Low dimensional examples, relation to Gauss curvature of surfaces in 3 dimensions. Curvature of hypersurfaces and Einstein manifolds.
  

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate

• The ability to understand and formulate statements about the geometry of various surfaces in higher dimensional space.


• A knowledge of the subject, important definitions, and concepts.


• The ability to apply this knowledge to the analysis of unseen problems in the tests and the examination.

• 
  One two hour examination (the best three answers out of four questions contribute to the exam mark) at the end of Semester 2; worth 80% of the module mark.
  


• 
  One in-semester test, worth 20% of the module mark.
  

Module aims

• Introduce students to the geometry of manifolds of dimension greater than two, with the added feature of a metric on the manifold.
• Introduce the students to the concepts of a covariant derivative and connection and their implications.
• Analysis of the above new concepts in the setting of examples like hypersurfaces, homogeneous spaces, and projective spaces.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

Be an introduction to the core ideas in Riemannian geometry, concentrating in particular on metric, covariant derivative, and curvature and how they can be used to identify properties and types of manifolds.

 

The learning and teaching methods include:

• 
  2x1 and 1x1 hour lectures per week, for 11 weeks, with typeset notes to complement the course, and Q+A opportunities for students.
  


• 
  4 dedicated lectures for example classes to discuss aspects of the examples and their solution.
  

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: MAT3044

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.