Math 340

Intro Probability, Fall 09
Class Number: 16182
Location: CR 5119
MW 12:30PM-1:45PM

Dr. B. Al Sethuraman
( http://www.csun.edu/~asethura )

Office Information
Office: Room 126, Santa Susana Hall (red brick building by the bookstore).
Office Hours: MW 11:00AM-12:15PM
Telephone: 818-677-2701.
Fax: (818)-677-3634.

Email: al.sethuraman@csun.edu

HW1 due Sep 9th

HW2 due Sep 21st

HW3 due Oct 5th

HW4 due Oct 12th

HW 5 due Nov 2nd: Exercises 3.4, p. 217 of the text: Problems 1, 3, 5, 7, 9.

HW6 due Nov 11th

HW 7 due Nov 23rd: Section 3.3, page 202, Problems 4, 5, 17, 18; and Section 4.1, page 275, Problems 11, 13

HW 8 due at t = infinity: Section 5.1, page 340, Problems 1, 3, 7, 9; and Section 5.2, page 354, Problems 3, 5, 11

Text: Probability, by Jim Pitman, Springer.

Syllabus: The course will provide an overview of probabilty. The syllabus for this course consists of sample spaces, probability rules, independence, conditional probability, Bayes' Theorem, discrete and continuous random variables and distributions (e.g. binomial, Poisson, geometric, normal, exponential, uniform), expectation, moment generating functions, joint distributions, and central limit theorem.

Exams: There will be two midterm exams, and a final exam. The dates for the midterm exams will be announced at least one week in advance. The final is on DEC 14th from 12:45 PM to 2:45 PM.

Homework: Homework will be assigned as we go along.  Homework will be collected and a select number of problems will be graded.  You will not be told in advance which problems are to be graded.    The due dates for each homework set will be announced as we go along.  No late homework submissions will be accepted. Homework is a very useful tool for learning the material in this class, and should be taken very seriously.   It will be worth 15% of the course grade.

Background Material: Basic combinatorics from High School, along with Calculus.  There will be some multi-variable calculus involved, but the required material will be reviewed and can be picked up easily.

Grading: The course grade will computed based on the following percentages: Each of the two midterms will be worth 25%, your homework will be worth 15%,  and the final will be worth 35%.   

Makeup Exams: Make up exams will only be given for dire situations, for which you have either received permission from me in advance, or, if it is an emergency, if you are supported by thorough documentation. Please be aware that even if one student has to take a make up exam, then my workload is doubled and my schedule is completely thrown off, so please request make ups only for serious situations.

Good Luck!  Probability is a charming subject, and I hope that you will enjoy the course!