Math 545 Algebraic Curves & Riemann Surfaces Fall 2022
Welcome to Math 545!
I can be reached at benw@wustl.edu for non-mathematical questions regarding the course, and in office hours to talk about math. Your first go-to for math questions should be the class Piazza found on Canvas.
Timings
Lecture: 10-11 MWF, location Wrighton 201
Office hours: 9-10 W + 11-12 F, Cupples 204B
Resources
The two main resources for the course are Fulton's Algebraic Curves (out of print, freely available here) and my notes for some sections of the course (available here).
The course is also heavily influenced by the textbook Algebraic Curves & Riemann Surfaces by Rick Miranda.
You might compare the notes from this course (more of a complex geometry emphasis), this course and this course.
We will cover some additional topics involving curves, likely including:
Moduli of curves (notes, more notes, even more notes)
Here is the anthology of final papers submitted by students.
Assessment
Participation - presenting 3 examples in class, contributing to discussion, attendance (30%)
Homework - roughly every two weeks due at 11:59pm CT on Sundays (30%)
Self-reflections - roughly every two weeks due at 11:59pm CT on Sundays (10%)
Final or Paper - take-home exam from 8:00am CT 12/16 - 8:00am CT 12/17 or final paper on a topic inspired by the course due 11:59pm CT on 12/18. You should let me know your topic if writing a paper by 12/9 (30%)
Piazza bonus points: Each time you post a (mathematical!) question or answer on Piazza, you will receive 1 bonus point. These count as 1 point towards your overall homework score up to a maximum of 20 points. For example, if you dropped 15 points on homework throughout the semester and asked 5 questions on Piazza, your score for homework would be as if you only dropped 10 points. The deadline for Piazza points is 11:59pm the day before the final.
Attendance: You are permitted six unexplained absences without penalty. After that you will drop 1% for each missed class with a maximum of 10% deduction. If you have to miss a class email ahead explaining your absence and, if a legitimate conflict, no absence will be c0unted.
Dropped scores: I will drop the lowest homework score and allow for two missed self-reflections. Because of this and the Piazza bonus points I don't allow for makeups under any circumstances.
Resurrection final: We will use a resurrection final in this course. This means that we will calculate two grades: G1 = grade calculated as above, and G2 = grade calculated with homework counting 0% and final exam / paper counting 70%. Your final grade will be max(G1, G2).
Virtual testing: I will offer a virtual option for the final in circumstances such as quarantine due to sickness or potential exposure to covid-19.
Grading scale: I will use a 'European' grading scale throughout the course, where 70% is an A, 60% is a B+, 50% is a B, 40% is a C. There are no 'minus' grades in this course, and I will award an A+ for scores exceeding 90%. The consequence of this is that exams will require more creative thought and that you might not have time to answer all questions. A pass in the class is a C or higher, a high pass (if available) is 70% or higher.
Syllabus
