STAT 418, Section 1: Probability

The Pennsylvania State University, Fall 2004

Course Syllabus

 

General description of the course: An introduction to the fundamentals and axioms of probability.

Textbook:  A First Course in Probability, sixth edition, by S. Ross, published by Prentice Hall

Required Work:
  1. Weekly homework assignments.
  2. Weekly, in-class, quiz assignments.
  3. A final examination, to be held on Monday, Dec. 13th, in 102 Thomas Bldg., 6:50 - 8:40 p.m.

Homework assignments: Homework problems are assigned weekly and will be collected at the beginning of class on the following Monday. On each Wednesday afternoon, solutions to selected homework problems will be placed on-line for review by students. (Students are advised to retain photocopies of their homework papers in preparation for a quiz each Friday.) Late submission of homework assignments will not be accepted, regardless of reason; however, only your highest 10 (of the total 15) homework scores will count toward your final grade.

Quiz assignments: There will be a ten-minute quiz each Friday, starting September 10th, at the beginning of class. Each quiz will consist of one or more problems based upon the topics covered during the previous week in class or in the corresponding homework assignment. For example, the quiz given on Friday, September 17, will be based upon material covered during the period September 6 - 10, and especially upon the homework collected on Monday, September 13. There are no make-up quiz assignments, regardless of reason. However, only your highest 10 quiz scores will count toward your final grade. Quiz assignments are ``closed-notes,'' but you may use your textbook and a calculator. Solutions to the quiz will also be placed on-line by Friday afternoons.

Final Examination: A comprehensive final examination will be held on Monday, December 13. The final exam will reflect closely the homework assignments, so it is advantageous to do your homework diligently. You should bring to the final examination:
  1. A single 8.5 x 11 inch sheet of formulas or notes, written on one side only,
  2. A calculator, and,
  3. Your PSU student ID card.

Grading policy: The final grade will be calculated as follows:
Homework:  20%
Quizzes:       30%
Final Exam: 50%

Final Grades: Final grades will be determined as follows:
A   : 94-100%,    A- : 90-93%
B+ : 88-89%,      B   : 84-87%,    B- : 80-83%,
C+ : 78-79%,      C   : 70-77%
D   : 60-69%
F    :   0-59%

Other Course Procedures:
1. Considerations for early final examinations will be allowed to students with direct conflicts due to other required university activities (chess team, athletics, field trip, Blue Band trip, etc.). Obviously, the director of that program must provide a valid letter requesting that the student be excused from the exam.
2. Students are responsible for all announcements and supplements given within any lecture.
3. Integrity Statement:  All Penn State and Eberly College of Science policies regarding academic integrity apply to this course.  See http://www.science.psu.edu/academic/Integrity/index.html for details.
4. If you need to leave class early then please sit in the rear and leave as quietly as possible.
5. All cell phones and pagers shall be turned off before you enter the classroom.