Modern differential geometry encompasses a wide array of techniques and results. Beginning with an overview of smooth differential manifolds (including coordinates, vector fields, tangent bundles, differential forms, tensors) we will then discuss Riemannian manifolds (those for which metric notions such as length, volume, etc. are defined), connections (leading to Hessian and Laplacian), exponential map, geodesics, submanifolds, and curvature. Examples on space forms, Lie groups and symmetric spaces will be emphasized.
A significant part of the remainder of the course will study the effects curvature has on geometry and topology. In particular, this includes the linear theory of de Rham theorem and Hodge theory of harmonic forms, Bochner principles, and the non-linear theory on applications of second variational formula for geodesics and minimal sub-manifolds.