STAT/MATH 414
Introduction to Probability Theory
Spring 2009

SCHEDULE: MWF 9:05-9:55 AM in 201 Thomas

INSTRUCTOR: David Hunter

OFFICE HOURS: Mondays 10:00-11:00 and Wednesdays 1:00-2:00

ASSISTANT: Lucia Tabacu, 301 Thomas Building, 863-2314, lmt203@psu.edu
OFFICE HOURS: Thursdays 9:00-11:00

REQUIRED TEXT: Hogg, Robert V. and Tanis, Elliot A. (2006). Probability and Statistical Inference, seventh edition. Pearson Prentice Hall.

COURSE WEBSITE: The link to this page (which serves as the official course syllabus) is http://www.stat.psu.edu/~dhunter/414/

GRADING: The final score in this course will be calculated as a weighted average of the overall homework score (30%), the two in-class midterms (20% each), and the final exam (30%).

• Homework (30%): There will be 12 weekly homework assignments, each consisting of somewhere around 10 problems. The grader will carefully grade 2 of the problems, each worth 5 points, and scan the remaining problems to ensure that they are finished. The remaining problems are worth a total of 10 points. Thus, each homework will earn up to 20 points. At the end of the semester, the lowest 2 homework grades will be dropped, so there are 200 points possible during the semester. Homework is due by the beginning of class each Friday (except midterm exam Fridays). No late homework will be accepted for any reason. If you cannot be in class on Friday, you are encouraged to turn in your homework early or have a friend turn it in for you. My mailbox is in 325 Thomas building. Do not turn in any homework directly to the grader; all homework must be turned in to me.
• Midterm exams (20% each): There will be two midterm exams on dates to be announced. The midterms will take place in class on Fridays and there will be no homework assignments due during weeks in which midterms occur. These exams will be closed-book and closed-notes. The second midterm will not be comprehensive; i.e., it will cover only the period of time between the two midterms.
• Final exam (30%): The comprehensive final exam will take place at the registrar-designated time and place during the week of May 4-8. Like the midterms, it will be closed-book and closed-notes. Unlike the midterms, it will cover the entire semester and not merely the period after the second midterm. No rescheduled final exams will be allowed except for those mandated by the Penn State registrar because of conflicts. This means that you must attend the final exam and should under no circumstances make end-of-semester travel arrangements before knowing your final exam schedule.

OTHER GRADING NOTES:

• Some of the homework problems may require the use of the statistical software called R, which may be downloaded for free from www.r-project.org.
• Solution sets for the homeworks will be provided; login to the course ANGEL page to access them. You are strongly encouraged to learn how to do any homework problems you had trouble with, either by reading the solutions, discussing them with colleagues in the course, or asking questions of the grader or me. This is especially important in this course, where solving problems is absolutely essential to learn the material. I am happy to devote some class time to answering homework questions as necessary.
• Don't overlook office hours (mine or the grader's) as a great opportunity to discuss homework, both past and present. You do not need an appointment to show up to office hours; simply walk in!
• Each exam will include at least two problems taken directly from the homework assignments. This is intended to reward those who are conscientious about making sure they can solve all of the homework problems.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: All Penn State and Eberly College of Science policies regarding academic integrity apply to this course. See http://www.science.psu.edu/academic/Integrity/Policy.html for details.

Of particular relevance to this course are the following policies:

• On homework assignments, you are allowed and indeed encouraged to work with other students in the class. However, each student must turn in his/her own work, and in no case is it ever acceptable to simply copy directly from another person's work.
• On exams, each student must complete his/her own work without aiding or receiving aid from anyone else in any way. Examples of infractions that will result in disciplinary action are listed under "Categories of infractions" on the ECOS academic integrity page.