TuTh 10:00 - 11:15 AM, LGRT 1334
University of Massachusetts AmherstCourse description and textbooks
This course is a high-paced introduction to Topological Data Analysis (TDA), a fast-evolving field that focuses on identifying and analyzing the shape (topology) of data. TDA provides tools and concepts to analyze and understand complex high-dimensional datasets. The course aims to discuss essential methods, aiming for a robust understanding and application of these concepts. It'll focus on the theoretical aspects of TDA.
Prerequisites: Students should have a strong background in linear algebra (Math 235) and mathematical proofs (Math 300 or CS 250). Familiarity with metric and vector spaces will be essential. Further familiarity with point-set topology and elementary algebraic topology (Math 671) will be beneficial, though these topics will be quickly reviewed in the course.
Textbooks: "Computational Topology for Data Analysis" by Tamal Dey and Yusu Wang, "Computational Topology" by Herbert Edelsbrunner and John Harer. Other supplementary sources will be provided during the semester.
Various resources for this class are available at the shared Dropbox folder (see the link in the welcome email).
Contact and office hours
The best way to contact me is via my UMass email (inanc.baykur@). Always include "Math 790" in the subject line of your emails, and please do not expect me to see your messages or reply to them in the evenings or on the weekends.
Office hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 2:30-3:15 PM ET at LGRT 1326. Or by appointment (contact me in advance) Tuesdays 3:15-4:00 PM ET.
Teaching assistant:
Porter Morgan
TA office hour (via Zoom): Mondays 2-3 pm or by appointment. See the class email / contact Porter for the Zoom link.
Grading and homework
90% participation and assignments + 30% final presentation. The final percentile typically goes into the standard letter scale:
| [93-120] A | [90-93) A- | [87-90) B+ | [83-87) B | [80-83) B- | [77-80) C+ |
| [73-77) C | [70-73) C- | [67-70) D+ | [63-67) D | [60-63) D- | [0-60) F |
Assignments: There is likely to be 4-5, more or less biweekly homework assignments. Assignments will include answering questions raised during lectures, elaborating on ideas, proofs, and algorithms, and researching both theoretical and applied aspects of TDA on specific topics proposed by the instructor. No late homework will be graded (partially or fully).
I encourage you to discuss the assigned problems with each other and work in groups. Please list the names of all individuals you discussed each problem with. You must independently write up your answers.
Homework submission: All homework assignments will be submitted through
Gradescope.
Make sure that your username and student ID is entered correctly in Gradescope; they should match what you have in Spire. (This is essential for your grades to be transferred without any issues.) When submitting your homework, make sure you correctly indicate where your answer to each problem is in your PDF file. If you do not, or if you mark it incorrectly, the default assumption for the grader will be that you do not have the answer to that question.
Final presentations:
These will consist of a short in-class presentation on a topic we agree on at the end of the semester. Some may delve more into the theoretical aspects, some may be about applications, and some may be more hands-on coding projects. I'll need to see how the class evolves and need to find out more about the backgrounds and interests of the enrolled students before suggesting the topics and formats.
Important notes
Please refrain from using laptops, iPads, smartphones, cell phones, etc. during our regular lectures, as they can distract not only yourself but also those around you.
Final presentations cannot be rescheduled to accommodate travel plans.
UMass Accommodation Statement: The University of Massachusetts Amherst is committed to making reasonable, effective, and appropriate accommodations to meet the needs of students with disabilities and help create a barrier-free campus. If you have a disability and require accommodations, please register with Disability Services (161 Whitmore Administration Building; phone 413-545-0892) to have an accommodation letter sent to your faculty. Information on services and materials for registering are also available on their website: www.umass.edu/disability.
UMass Academic Honesty Statement: Since the integrity of the academic enterprise of any institution of higher education requires honesty in scholarship and research, academic honesty is required of all students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Academic dishonesty is prohibited in all programs of the University. Academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to: cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and facilitating dishonesty. Appropriate sanctions may be imposed on any student who has committed an act of academic dishonesty. Instructors should take reasonable steps to address academic misconduct. Any person who has reason to believe that a student has committed academic dishonesty should bring such information to the attention of the appropriate course instructor as soon as possible. Instances of academic dishonesty not related to a specific course should be brought to the attention of the appropriate department Head or Chair. Since students are expected to be familiar with this policy and the commonly accepted standards of academic integrity, ignorance of such standards is not normally sufficient evidence of lack of intent.