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Unit outline_

MATH3961: Metric Spaces (Advanced)

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal day] - Remote

Topology, developed at the end of the 19th Century to investigate the subtle interaction of analysis and geometry, is now one of the basic disciplines of mathematics. A working knowledge of the language and concepts of topology is essential in fields as diverse as algebraic number theory and non-linear analysis. This unit develops the basic ideas of topology using the example of metric spaces to illustrate and motivate the general theory. Topics covered include: Metric spaces, convergence, completeness and the Contraction Mapping Theorem; Metric topology, open and closed subsets; Topological spaces, subspaces, product spaces; Continuous mappings and homeomorphisms; Compactness Connectedness Hausdorff spaces and normal spaces. You will learn methods and techniques of proving basic theorems in point-set topology and apply them to other areas of mathematics including basic Hilbert space theory and abstract Fourier series. By doing this unit you will develop solid foundations in the more formal aspects of topology, including knowledge of abstract concepts and how to apply them. Applications include the use of the Contraction Mapping Theorem to solve integral and differential equations.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Mathematics and Statistics Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
An average mark of 65 or above in 12cp from the following units (MATH2X21 or MATH2X22 or MATH2X23)
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
MATH4061
Assumed knowledge
? 

Real analysis and vector spaces. For example (MATH2922 or MATH2961) and (MATH2923 or MATH2962)

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Daniel Daners, daniel.daners@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final exam
Written responses including mathematical arguments.
60% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Assignment Assignment 1
Written work
12.5% Week 05
Due date: 24 Mar 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 03 Apr 2023
Two weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO8
Online task Quiz
multiple choice, short answer, some written respones
15% Week 08
Due date: 19 Apr 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 19 Apr 2023
50 Minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Assignment 2
Written work
12.5% Week 11
Due date: 12 May 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 22 May 2023
Two weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8

Assessment summary

  • Assignments:  There are two assignments. Each must be submitted electronically, as one single typeset or scanned PDF file only, via Canvas by the deadline. Note that your assignment will not be marked if it is illegible or if it is submitted sideways or upside down. It is your responsibility to check that your assignment has been submitted correctly and that it is complete (check that you can view each page). Late submisions will receive a penalty. A mark of zero will be awarded for all submissions more than 10 days past the original due date.
  • Quiz: One quiz will be held online through Canvas. The quiz is 40 minutes and has to be submitted by the closing time of 23:59 on the due date. The quiz can be taken any time during the 24 hour period before the closing time.
  • Final Exam: If a second replacement exam is required, this exam may be delivered via an alternative assessment method, such as a viva voce (oral exam). The alternative assessment will meet the same learning outcomes as the original exam. The format of the alternative assessment will be determined by the unit coordinator

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Representing complete or close to complete mastery of the material.

Distinction

75 - 84

Representing excellence, but substantially less than complete mastery.

Credit

65 - 74

Representing a creditable performance that goes beyond routine knowledge and understanding, but less than excellence.

Pass

50 - 64

Representing at least routine knowledge and understanding over a spectrum of topics and important ideas and concepts in the course.

Fail

0 - 49

Not meeting the learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Definition and basic examples of metric spaces including normed vector spaces. Limits and continuity, the topology of metric spaces. Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO8
Week 02 Topological notions: closed sets, interior, closure, boundary, derived set. Simple examples and common constructions of topologies. Topologically equivalent metrics. Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO8
Week 03 Convergence of sequences, sequential characterisations of closed sets in metric spaces, local bases, first countable topological spaces, uniqueness of limits and introduction to separation axioms. Sequential characterisation of continuity. Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO8
Week 04 Cauchy sequences and the completeness of metric spaces, uniform converbence Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO8
Week 05 The contraction mapping theorem and applications: Existence and uniqueness of solutions to ordinary differential equations. Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO8
Week 06 Uniform continuity, extension of uniformly continuous functions on dense subsets with applications, compact topological spaces Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8
Week 07 properties of continuous functions on compact sets, Lindelöf spaces and compactness in metric spaces Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8
Week 08 Characterisations of compact metric spaces and examples. Separable, second countable spaces Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8
Week 09 Initial and final topologies and applications, connected topological spaces Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO8
Week 10 Connected components, continuous functions on connected sets, path connected sets Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO8
Week 11 Normal spaces and the Urysohn lemma, Tieze Extension Theorem, Baire's theorem Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8
Week 12 Nearest point projections, orthogonal projections in Hilbert spaces. Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8
Week 13 Orthonormal systems and abstract Fourier series in Hilbert spaces, revision. Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Explain and apply the foundational ideas of point set topology
  • LO2. Construct metric topologies, define open/closed sets of the metric spaces, and identify and explain the relationships between these and continuity and other properties of the metric space.
  • LO3. Find and prove properties of several important classes of sequences in metric spaces
  • LO4. Explain how knowledge from fundamental theorems of topological spaces and continuous mappings can be used to prove mathematical results
  • LO5. Demonstrate a broad understanding of important concepts in topology and exercise critical thinking to identify and use concepts to analyse examples and draw conclusions
  • LO6. Solve problems about differential equations using the contraction mapping theorem
  • LO7. Apply the concepts of separable spaces and separation properties in both simple and complex examples.
  • LO8. Write proofs and apply the theory of metric spaces to problems in topology.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The unit was completely revised for 2022, and further adjustments will be made for 2023

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

General Laboratory Safety Rules

  • No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances
  • A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory
  • Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories
  • In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door
  • First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory
  • As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.