STAT/MATH 418, Section 003: Probability
The Pennsylvania State University, spring 2007
Course Syllabus
Instructor:
Bing Han
Room 333, Thomas Bldg.
Tel: 863-3374
hanbing@stat.psu.edu
Meeting times & place:
T. A.:
Hyang-Min Lee
Room 316, Thomas Bldg.
863-3238
hul145@psu.edu
M W F 03:35P - 04:25P, 118 THOMAS
Office hour:
TBA
Textbook:
A First Course in Probability, 7th edition, by S. Ross, published by Prentice Hall
Course Website: www.stat.psu.edu/~hanbing/418
Course Description:
Intro to fundamental probability theory, including combinatorial analysis (preparation), axioms of
probability, conditional probability, Bayes theorem, independence, random variables and distribution
theory, expectation and correlation, limit theorems, covering the main parts of Ch1~Ch8 in the
textbook.
Content
Textbook
Estimated # classes
Combinatorial analysis
Ch1
3
Basic concepts of probability
Ch2~Ch3
8
Random variable and
Ch4~Ch6
15
distribution
Expectations
Ch7
6
Limit theorems
Ch8
4
Review and exercises
4
Homework & Quiz:
Homework problems will be assigned in each lecture and collected on the following Monday’s lecture.
Late homework will not be accepted.
There will be about 4 to 6 in-class quizzes. It will be given at the end of important chapters. All
quizzes are close book, close notes. The worst one quiz will be dropped from the final grades.
Exams:
Two midterms: one is at the end of Ch3 and the other is at the end of Ch6. The final examination is a
comprehensive one. In each exam, you can bring a double-sided formula sheet, and use calculator.
Grading policy:
Students are required to provide the solution of problems in enough details and in professional way.
The final grade will be calculated as follow:
Homework:
15%
Quizzes:
15%
Midterms:
30%
Final:
40%
Special notices: Students are responsible for all of the announcements made in class or by course
email. Email list is provided through Penn State online course manage system (ANGEL). So please
update your email address, and check your email frequently.
Integrity Statement: See http://www.science.psu.edu/academic/Integrity/index.html for details.