MATH 3210

Manifolds and Differential Forms

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2025-2026 Catalog.

A manifold is a type of subset of Euclidean space that has a well-defined tangent space at every point. Such a set is amenable to the methods of multivariable calculus. After reviewing some relevant calculus, this course investigates manifolds and the structures they are endowed with, such as tangent vectors, boundaries, orientations, and differential forms. The notion of a differential form encompasses such ideas as area forms and volume forms, the work exerted by a force, the flow of a fluid, and the curvature of a surface, space or hyperspace. We re-examine the integral theorems of vector calculus (Green, Gauss, and Stokes) in the light of differential forms and apply them to problems in partial differential equations, topology, fluid mechanics, and electromagnetism.

Prerequisites a semester of linear algebra (MATH 2210, MATH 2230, MATH 2310, or MATH 2940) and a semester of multivariable calculus (MATH 2220, MATH 2240, or MATH 1920), or equivalent.

Distribution Requirements (MQL-AG, OPHLS-AG), (SMR-AS)

Last 4 Terms Offered 2025FA, 2024FA, 2023FA, 2022FA

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