Course Main Page; Math/Stat 395 A; PROBABILITY-II; Winter 2009
Instructor: Elizabeth Thompson
Email: eathomp at u.washington.edu
Time: MWF 8.30-9.20;
Place: Thomson 325
ALL INFORMATION IS CURRENTLY PROVISIONAL
Announcement:
Always check the Schedule.
It contains links to many things.
If you cannot click on any link, it probably means it is old
stuff, not yet updated for 2009. If you think this is an error, please
email me.
Office Hours (probable)
Tues 2.00-3.30, Friday 10.00-11.30.
Or, email me for an appointment, or see me briefly after class (not Mondays).
Course text
The book is Sheldon Ross, A first course in Probability, Prentice-Hall (2006)
I will use the Seventh edition (2006). However, there is very little
difference from the sixth edition (or even earlier editions?).
If you are using a
different edition, it is your responsibility to make sure you are doing the
right reading/exercises/homeworks.
MATH/STAT 395 basically covers Chapters 5, 6, and 7 of Ross, but not 7.8,
and plus section 9.1 (but not in that order). The
schedule and class notes and homeworks
define the detailed syllabus.
Provisionally, homeworks are due Wednesday, before class.
Late homeworks will not be acccepted, except in exceptional circumstances.
Otherwise it is too hard on the grader, and delays homework returns for all.
Note your Homework grade is based on a "drop one"; i.e. best (n-1) out of n
where n probably is 8 or 9.
Homeworks listed on the web page are not final until one week before the
due date.
Minimum standards for written work
Your homework must be easily readable.
Show your work and justify your answers.
Your name must be indicated clearly.
Staple your homework pages together in the correct order.
Exams and Grading
There will be two midterms, one in week 5 and the other in week 8 (see
schedule).
- Homework 27% (based on best n-1 out of n).
- Class participation and effort: 3%
- Midterm-1: 20%: Info for Feb 6 midterm
- Midterm-2: 20%
- Final exam: 30%
If due to illness or other genuine emergency you
miss one midterm, your score will be figured from the other midterm and
your final.
Your overall score will be converted to a grade via a monotone increasing
but non-linear function.
Grades will surely range from 2.0 to 4.0.
The top scoring students will obtain a 4.0 grade.
If you score less than 50% you will likely get below a 2.0.