# Instructor Insights

## Course Overview

This page focuses on the course 18.904 Seminar in Topology as it was taught by Dr. Andrew Snowden in Spring 2011.

Seminar in Topology is an undergraduate math seminar. As with all such seminars, the majority of lectures for this class are given by the students as part of their coursework. Students also write a final expository paper. This particular seminar serves as an introduction to algebraic topology at an advanced undergraduate level.

Additional information and resources related to MIT's undergraduate math seminars and teaching mathematical communication are available on the MathDL Mathematical Communication website.

## Course Outcomes

### Course Goals for Students

- To develop mathematical communication skills, including writing and presenting
- To become acquainted with algebraic topology

## Instructor Insights

I think the key to learning how to give a good math talk is practice. It’s all about just doing it.

—Dr. Snowden

In the following pages, Dr. Andrew Snowden discusses specific aspects of his experience leading this course.

- Helping students learn to present mathematics
- Helping students learn to write mathematics papers
- Conveying mathematical content through student lectures
- Customizing a prescribed course structure
- Adapting the course in response to student feedback

## Curriculum Information

### Prerequisites

- 18.901 Introduction to Topology

### Requirements Satisfied

- CI-M in Mathematics
- 18.904 can be applied toward a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, but is not required.

### Offered

Every spring semester

## The Classroom

- Student talks and practice talks took place in this classroom, which seats 35.

## Student Information

### Breakdown by Year

The students were a mix of sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

### Breakdown by Major

All students were math majors.

### Enrollment Cap

Enrollment in undergraduate math seminars is limited to 12 in order to give students ample opportunity to present. Preference is given to mathematics majors. Beyond that, priority is given to students who have not taken the course before and to students who are closer to degree completion.

## How Student Time Was Spent

During an average week, students were expected to spend 12 hours on the course, roughly divided as follows:

## In Class

3 hours per week

- Attendance was expected at three class sessions each week, for 50 minutes per session.
- Students presented six times each, for 25 minutes per presentation.

## Out of Class

9 hours per week

- Presentation preparation
- Problem sets
- Final paper

## Semester Breakdown

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No classes throughout MIT
Class session
Final paper milestone
No class session scheduled
Problem set due

## Course Team Roles

### Lead Instructor (Dr. Andrew Snowden)

Creating the syllabus and other course materials, coordinating the course, helping students with presentation preparation, providing feedback, grading.

### Communication Instructor (Susan Ruff)

Working with the lead instructor to brainstorm about course structure and materials, give feedback at practice presentations, develop a rubric for the final paper, and give feedback on paper drafts.