Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Concordia University

Fall 2008

STAT 249: Probability I

T 18:00-20:15, H 603 (SGW), 3 credits

 
Instructor: Lea Popovic
Office: LB 921-29 (SGW)
Phone: (514) 848-2424 Ext 5854
email: lpopovic@mathstat.concordia.ca 

Office Hours: TBA

Course Outline

This is a first course in probability and a prerequisite for a course in statistics. The course will cover:
  • How the rules of probability quantify chance
  • Discrete random variables and their distributions
  • Continuous random variables and their densities
  • Computing expectation and probability by conditioning
  • Multivariate probability distributions
This course will provide you with the main tools for calculating probabilities and thinking about randomness. It will also cover a number of examples, and it will give a background for understanding statistics.
Students will be expected to understand all of the main concepts and to connect them in order to solve problems. The best way to learn the material, in addition to coming to lectures, is to read the text and do lots of problems from the book.

Prerequisites

Linear algebra and calculus

Text

"Mathematical Statistics with Applications" by D.D. Wackerly, W.Mendehall III, and R.L. Scheaffer (Duxbury Press, 2007.)

Grading

  • Homework 10% - approximately 5 homework sets, once every other week
  • Midterm Exam 20% - in the 7th or 8th week of class
  • Final Exam 70% - covering entire course material
OR    Final Exam 100% - covering entire course material

Rules

Homework problems are assigned in class, and are due approximately a week after they have been assigned (exact dates on the website). Hand in your homework on time at the beginning of class, as late homeworks will not be accepted.
Students are encouraged to work together on homework. However, each student must write up the homework set their own.
I will answer basic questions over email within a day or two (not instantaneously), but for clarifications of material please come to office hours.
There will me no make-up midterm or final exam. The time for the final exam will be announced by the Concordia examination office. In case of special circumstance (approved by university regulations) you must contact me before hand.

Dates

Midterm exam: Oct 21 , Withdrawal date: Nov 4

Homework Schedule      Lecture Schedule