The course Geometry, Topology and Applications will run in the summer semester of 2021. The course will introduce the use of geometry and topology for the description and analysis of shapes, structures and patterns in the real world, with a focus on biophysical systems. It will cover a combination of theory and examples, with geometric modelling and experimentation.
Topics covered over the semester will include: geometric and topological concepts such as packings, surface area and minimisation, curvature and minimal surfaces, genus, orbifolds and symmetry, knots and tangling, alongside numerous examples of spectacular shapes in nature, such as bicontinuous lipid membranes, butterfly wingscales and viruses. The course will also introduce the use of Surface evolver and Knotplot for energy minimisation of geometric structures as well as Houdini for visualisation purposes.
Students from mathematics, physics or biology are welcome.
Weekly online discussion: Tuesdays 10:15-11:45.
Weekly online exercise class: Thursdays 10:15-11:45.
Further information is available through the Moodle Course. Please contact me if you have any questions evans@uni-potsdam.de.
