MATH 304

ELEMENTS OF KNOT THEORY

Credit Hours: 3 · Undergraduate Upper-Level

Introduction to the mathematical theory of knots. Techniques to distinguish knots from one another, Reidemeister moves, mod-p colorings, knot determinants, knot polynomials, Seifert surfaces, Euler characteristic, knot groups, and untying knots in four dimensions. We will also discuss open problems in knot theory.

Prerequisites & course information

Short Title: ELEMENTS OF KNOT THEORY Department: Mathematics Grade Mode: Standard Letter Course Type: Lecture Distribution Group: Distribution Group III Credit Hours: 3 Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students. Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level Prerequisite(s): MATH 221 or MATH 354 or MATH 355 Course URL: math.rice.edu

Sources

Course catalogue ↗2026–2027