Geometry and topology questions

This page collects the most important information on the area of specialization "Geometry and topology", especially on possible topics for master's theses for all students of mathematics. It should be noted that geometric topics play a role in the specialization algebra as well, in particular in the field of algebraic geometry and geometric group theory. The information is sorted according to (current) study programmes. In addition, you can find a list of possible supervisors and lists of examples of topics for bachelor, master's and doctoral theses from the area of geometry and topology.

In the master programme "Geometry and topology" is one of 7 main areas of specialization. You have to choose one of these 7 areas and the chosen main area of specialization results from the completion of the compulsory module group "basic courses in the area of specialization ...". The further modules of the master programme can be divided into courses from the chosen area of specialization and courses from other areas of specialization.

The basic courses in the specialization "Geometry and topology" consists of 4 compulsory modules:

• First, in the module differential geometry the methods of multidimensional differential and integral calculus known of open subsets of Rn, known from the basic courses, are expanded to more general objects, socalled manifolds, in the course "Analysis on manifolds". The focus is on operations that can be defined independently of the choice of coordinates, whereby the analysis gets a geometric viewpoint. This course can be taken by all students in the master programme. The immediately following course "Riemannian geometry", where the analytic methods are applied to geometric problems, forms the second part of the module.
• The module Lie groups is based on the analysis of manifolds and therefore should be completed (if possible immediately) after it. Here diifferential geometry and algebra are linked and the most important application is the theory of symmetries.
• The module algebraic topology is independent of the two preceding modules and therefore can be chosen by all students in the master programme. It deals with assigning objects (numbers, groups, vector spaces etc.) to topological spaces in order to make them distinguishable. 
• On the one hand, you have to complete the introductory seminar on one of the courses "Analysis on manifolds", "Lie groups", and "Algebraic topology" in the module "Seminars: Geometry and topology" (further introductory seminars can be chosen as advanced courses, their attendence is in any case highly advisable). On the other hand you have to complete two seminars. The offer of seminars in the area of geometry and topology is limited, a coordination of the seminars with the area of the master's thesis may be advisable but is not required and will often not be possible.

The offer of advanced courses for the master programme is closely linked to the research interests of the faculty members in this research area and restricted by budgetary constraints. Apart from differential geometry and topology, links to functional analysis (infinite-dimensional differential geometry, algebras of generalized functions, partial differential equations of geometric origin), algebra (Lie groups, Lie algebras and representation theory, algebraic geometry), and theoretical physics (general relativity) are topics of advanced courses.

The research interests of the faculty members play an important role in the question of topics for master's theses. In any case it is advisable to start thinking about possible topics and a supervisor at an early stage of the master programme. (The standard study period of 4 semesters is short.) When looking for a supervisor and a topic, you should also take into account whether you intend to do the doctoral programme based on the master programme. In this case the choice of a topic is more delicate and the connection to research should be stronger. Otherwise a broader range of topics is possible.

As usual at the faculty of mathematics, there is no real difference between advanced courses for the master programme and courses for the doctoral programme in the specialization "Geometry and topology". The recognition of courses for the doctoral programme will be specified individually in an agreement ("Dissertationsvereinbarung"). In particular it is irrelevant for the recognition whether a course  is announced with a course number for mathematics (25XXXX) or for the doctoral programme (44XXXX). You can find general information on the doctoral programme on the web pages of the SSC mathematics and the Center of Doctoral Studies of the University of Vienna.

The research interests of the individual faculty members play a much larger role in the choice of a topic and supervisor for a doctoral thesis than for a master's thesis. The topics are usually related to the (more or less) immediate research area of the supervisor. Therefore it does not make sense to give global information on these questions. It is worth mentioning that hardly any research on topology is carried out at our faculty but there are definitely topological aspects in many areas of differential geometry. Otherwise we primarily refer to the web pages of the single faculty members, which contain information on their research interests.

• since 2011: Professor of Mathematics at the University of Vienna
• 1991: PhD University of Mathematics

I am interested in the study of geometric structures and of differential operators naturally associated to such structures. My main focus is the class of parabolic geometries that contains examples like conformal structures and CR structures and many others. Crucial input for the study of these structures is provided by theory of Lie groups and Lie algebras and their representations, so my research involves a mix of geometric, algebraic, and analytic techniques. I am particularly interested in applications of these geometric structures to other areas of mathematics and of theoretical phyiscs, for example to complex analysis, the geometric theory of differential equations, and general relativity. For more information, please visit my homepage .

• 1956 Born in Innsbruck, Austria. Austrian citizen. Married, three children
• 1974 - 80 Studies at the Universities of Innsbruck and Paris
• 1980 - PhD in Paris with Teissier and Douady on the semi-universal deformation of singularities
• 1980 - 88 Assistent professor at the University of Innsbruck
• 1982 - 84 Visiting Brandeis and Northeastern University
• 1988 - Habilitation
• 1988 - 2007 Associate Professor at the University of Innsbruck
• 1992 - 94 Visiting Professor at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
• 2007 - present Professor at the University of Vienna, on extended leave from the University of Innsbruck
• 2015 Chaire Jean Morlet, Aix-Marseille University und CIRM, Spring 2015

My field of interest is the interplay between geometry and algebra, more precisely, algebraic geometry and commutative algebra. Within this area, we look at singularities (points where varieties do not look like a manifold) and at infinite dimensional geometry (for instance, spaces of power series solutions to algebraic equations). Apart from this, we study algebraic functions and power series, a field which has strong connections to combinatorics (lattice walks), commutative algebra (Henselization and étale topology) and complex analysis (holomorphic functions). Through our FWF-research project we are able to support interested students in their Master's or PhD studies. For more information, see my homepage.

• since 2004: a.o.Univ.Prof., University of Vienna
• 2001-2004: PostDoc, University of Innsbruck
• 1999-2001: PotDoc, Colorado School of Mines
• 1994-1999: computer system administrator, University of Vienna
• 1993: Dr.rer.nat., University of Vienna Research

My main interest is in the analysis of partial (or pseudo-) differential equations with a strong motivation from models of wave propagation in physics, geophysics or mechanics. I am studying non-classical solution concepts required due to singularities (in the sense of non-smoothness) typically with methods based on functional and Fourier analysis.

• Since 2001: Associate Professor, University of Vienna
• 2004: START-Prize
• 2003: ÖMG-Prize
• 2001: Visiting Scientist, University of Southampton
• 1996: PhD, University of Vienna
• Study of Mathematics and Physics, University of Vienna

The overarching theme in my mathematical research interests is the connection to the fundamental theories of physics. Ultimately, my goal is to gain a deeper understanding of the mathematical foundations of physics and to contribute in my research to furthering this understanding. This has driven the choice of my fields of interest towards Functional Analysis, Differential Geometry, and Partial Differential Equations. An additional unifying theme is my interest in low regularity situations and in conceptual developments that help to extend the validity of analytic or geometric approaches beyond the smooth setting. Concretely, I work on linear and nonlinear theories of generalized functions, geometric analysis, Lorentzian geometry, and applications to the study of singularities in General Relativity. For more information, see my homepage.

• as of 2018: Professor of Complex Analysis at University of Vienna
• 2007: START-Prize
• 2001-2002: J.L. Doob Research Assistant Professor UIUC
• 2000-2001: Postdoc KTH
• 2000: Ph.D. University of California, San Diego

In the analysis of several complex variables, the geometrical properties of boundaries of domains and the analytical properties of the domains themselves play a crucial role. My main interest is in the interplay between the geometry of real objects in complex space and properties of functions and maps which satisfy the "tangential Cauchy-Riemann equations", usually dubbed as "CR-geometry". The theory has many connections to the theory of PDEs, algebraic geometry, dynamical systems. For a list of current research projects, papers, and so on, please consult my homepage. 

• as of 2003: Associated Professor, University of Vienna
• 2016: Ars Docendi (Austrian National Award in University Teaching)
• 2000: PhD (Mathematics, sub auspiciis praesidentis), University of Vienna
• 1996: MSc (Physics), University of Vienna

My current research interests are focused on issues of regularity in geometry and questions such as: How does low differentiability of basic quantities such as e.g. a (semi-)Riemannian metric change the geometric properties that usually hold in the "smooth world". Main motivations come from Mathematical General Relativity especially the singularity theorems and exact solutions such as impulsive gravitational waves. There are strong connections with analysis (generalised functions), metric geometry (Alexandrov spaces) and, of course, mathematical physics. For further information please visit my homepage.

• currently: Professor, University of Vienna
• 2006: START Prize of the Austrian Science Fund (FWF)
• 1999: Prize of the Austrian Mathematical Society
• 1997: Ludwig Boltzmann Prize of the Austrian Physical Society
• 1996-1997: Postdoc, Department of Mathematics, RWTH Aachen, Germany
• 1995: PhD University of Missouri, Columbia, US

My current research area concerns mathematical physics and dynamical systems. I am interested in direct and inverse spectral theory and connections with completely integrable nonlinear wave equations (soliton equations). For more information please visit my homepage.

ssc.mathematik@univie.ac.at