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Overview

Basic properties and foundational results of differential geometry and semi-Riemannian geometry, manifolds, tangent vectors and vector fields, covariant derivatives, geodesics and curvature.

Basic properties and foundational results of differential geometry and semi-Riemannian geometry, manifolds, tangent vectors and vector fields, covariant derivatives, geodesics and curvature.

About this paper

Paper title Differential Geometry
Subject Mathematics
EFTS 0.0833
Points 10 points
Teaching period Semester 1 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $696.55
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Restriction
MATH 401-412
Limited to
BA(Hons), BSc(Hons), PGDipArts, PGDipSci, MA (Thesis), MSc, MAppSc, PGDipAppSc, PGCertAppSc
Contact

Mathematics 400-level programme coordinator: Dr Fabien Montiel.

Teaching staff

Dr Florian Beyer

Paper Structure

Main topics (19 lectures, 50 min each):

Lectures 1-5:

  • Charts.
  • C-infinity-atlas.
  • Differentiable structures.
  • Differentiable manifolds
  • Basic examples.

Lectures 5-9:

  • C-infinity functions.
  • C-infinity curves.
  • Tangent vectors.
  • Tangent vector spaces.
  • Derivations.
  • Directional derivatives.
  • Coordinate bases.

Lecture 9:

  • Co(tangent)-vectors.
  • Co(tangent)-vector spaces.
  • Dual bases.

Lectures 9-10:

  • Semi-Riemannian forms.
  • Orthonormal bases.
  • Riemannian and Lorentzian forms.

Lectures 10-12:

  • (Co)tangent bundle.
  • (Co)tangent vector fields.
  • Semi-Riemannian (Riemannian, Lorentzian) metrics.
  • Semi-Riemannian (Riemannian, Lorentzian) manifolds.

Lectures 12-14:

  • Levi-Civita connection.
  • Levi-Civita Theorem.

Lectures 15-17:

  • Vector fields along curves.
  • Velocity field.
  • Covariant derivatives.
  • Parallel transport.
  • Geodesic equations examples.

Lectures 18-19:

  • Introduction to curvature.
Teaching Arrangements

19 lectures (50 minutes each).

Tutorials: Weekly drop-in sessions for help with assignments.

 

Textbooks

To be confirmed.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Critical Thinking, Interdisciplinary Perspective, Lifelong Learning.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the study of this paper, students are expected to:

  • Understand fundamental approaches in differential geometry.
  • Know important properties of manifolds, covariant derivatives and curvature.
  • Understand how to rigorously proof theorems in differential geometry.
  • Understand the power of working with geometric concepts by means of examples.
Assessment details

3 written assignments (40% of total mark)

Exam (60% of total mark)

Overview

Basic properties and foundational results of differential geometry and semi-Riemannian geometry, manifolds, tangent vectors and vector fields, covariant derivatives, geodesics and curvature.

Basic properties and foundational results of differential geometry and semi-Riemannian geometry, manifolds, tangent vectors and vector fields, covariant derivatives, geodesics and curvature.

About this paper

Paper title Differential Geometry
Subject Mathematics
EFTS 0.0833
Points 10 points
Teaching period Semester 1 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Restriction
MATH 401-412
Limited to
BA(Hons), BSc(Hons), PGDipArts, PGDipSci, MA (Thesis), MSc, MAppSc, PGDipAppSc, PGCertAppSc
Contact

Mathematics 400-level programme coordinator: Dr Fabien Montiel

Teaching staff

Associate Professor Florian Beyer

Paper Structure

Main topics (19 lectures, 50 min each):

Lectures 1-5:

  • Charts.
  • C-infinity-atlas.
  • Differentiable structures.
  • Differentiable manifolds
  • Basic examples.

Lectures 5-9:

  • C-infinity functions.
  • C-infinity curves.
  • Tangent vectors.
  • Tangent vector spaces.
  • Derivations.
  • Directional derivatives.
  • Coordinate bases.

Lecture 9:

  • Co(tangent)-vectors.
  • Co(tangent)-vector spaces.
  • Dual bases.

Lectures 9-10:

  • Semi-Riemannian forms.
  • Orthonormal bases.
  • Riemannian and Lorentzian forms.

Lectures 10-12:

  • (Co)tangent bundle.
  • (Co)tangent vector fields.
  • Semi-Riemannian (Riemannian, Lorentzian) metrics.
  • Semi-Riemannian (Riemannian, Lorentzian) manifolds.

Lectures 12-14:

  • Levi-Civita connection.
  • Levi-Civita Theorem.

Lectures 15-17:

  • Vector fields along curves.
  • Velocity field.
  • Covariant derivatives.
  • Parallel transport.
  • Geodesic equations examples.

Lectures 18-19:

  • Introduction to curvature.
Teaching Arrangements

19 lectures (50 minutes each).

Tutorials: weekly drop-in sessions for help with assignments.

 

Textbooks

To be confirmed.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Critical Thinking, Interdisciplinary Perspective, Lifelong Learning.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the study of this paper, students are expected to:

  • Understand fundamental approaches in differential geometry.
  • Know important properties of manifolds, covariant derivatives and curvature.
  • Understand how to rigorously proof theorems in differential geometry.
  • Understand the power of working with geometric concepts by means of examples.
Assessment details

Three written assignments = 40% of total mark

Exam = 60% of total mark

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