This seminar provides a glimpse of two sister geometries that have recently earned a central role in mathematics interacting with other areas. Side by side, we will discuss basics of symplectic and contact manifolds, some key submanifolds (lagrangian and legendrian) and the toric subclasses (symplectic and contact), which have gained prominence as testing grounds for other theories.
Objective
By giving half-hour talks about each geometry, typing short notes for those talks and participating in talks by others, each participant will have the opportunity to get acquainted with the landscape of symplectic and contact worlds, expand their command of geometry and topology, and develop presentation and collaboration skills.
Literature
The Seminar webpage (under learning materials) contains a list of references and further information.
Prerequisites / Notice
Prior knowledge of differential geometry and algebraic topology is required. Details of the seminar organization will be discussed in the first meeting.
Performance assessment
Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again)
Performance assessment as a semester course