I am attending first year graduate school in about three weeks and one of the courses I am taking is an introduction to smooth manifolds. Unfortunately, my topology knowledge is minimal, limited to self study. Besides some basic topological definitions, are there specific areas where I should become acquainted with? I have heard multivariable calculus is a 'prerequisite' for the study of smooth manifolds — is this from an intuition perspective, and if so, what parts and to what degree of rigor are they referring?
Thank you. (My apologies if this is a repeat question, by the way — I could not find it)
Best Answer
You will need
Depending on your book of choice everything else will probably be developed in the course of said book, see the other answers for some suggestion. The basics in topology you'll need will likely be known to you, once you really covered the above list. Spivak's calculus on manifolds comes to my mind.