Topology is a relatively young and very important branch of mathematics which studies properties of objects which are preserved through deformations, twistings, and stretchings, but not tearing. This book is well suited as preparation for students who plan to take a course in algebraic topology but also for advanced undergraduates or beginning graduates to just find out what topology is all about. The book has more than 200 problems, plenty of examples, and over 200 illustrations.

The text is lively, and well-motivated, encouraging reader's interest and progress.

Klappentext

Topology is a relatively young and very important branch of mathematics, which studies the properties of objects that are preserved through deformations, twistings, and stretchings. This book deals with the topology of curves and surfaces as well as with the fundamental concepts of homotopy and homology, and does this in a lively and well-motivated way. This book is well suited for readers who are interested in finding out what topology is all about.

Inhalt
1 Topology of Curves.- 2 Topology of Surfaces.- 3 Homotopy and Homology.- Appendix A: Topological Objects in Nematic Liquid Crystals.- A.1. Nematics.- A.2. Disclination in the Nematic.- A.3. Disclination and Topology.- A.4. Singular Points.- A.5. What Else Is There?.