Topics in Topology: Contact and Symplectic Topology

An intro to Contact topology. Contact geometry is a type of geometry existing in all odd dimensions, closely tied to symplectic geometry with numerous relationships to 3-manifold theory, complex geometry, and math physics. This course covers the basic geometric properties of general contact manifolds and symplectic fillings, focus on contact 3-manifold theory, including Legendrian Time permitting, we discuss Legendrian contact homology, confoliation theory, high-dimensional contact geometry, or other topics.