STAT 418, Section 4: Probability

The Pennsylvania State University, Spring 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

Website:  Visit the Statistics Department's course page, http://www.stat.psu.edu/courses/  

Required Work:
  1. Weekly homework assignments.
  2. Weekly, in-class, quiz assignments.
  3. A final examination (to be held during the week of May 3 - 7).

Homework: Homework problems will be assigned weekly and collected at the beginning of class on the following Tuesday. By Wednesday, solutions to selected homework problems will be placed on-line for review by students. (Students are advised to photocopy their homework papers in preparation for a quiz each Thursday.) Late submission of homework assignments will not be accepted, regardless of reason. However, only your highest 10 (of the total 14) homework scores will count toward your final grade. but not collected. Answers to some homework assignments are posted on the course web page. The exams will reflect closely the homework assignments, so it is advantageous to do your homework diligently.

Quiz assignments: There will be a 10-minute quiz each Thursday, starting January 22nd, at the beginning of class. Each quiz will consist of one problem based upon the topics covered in class or on homework problems assigned the previous week. For example, the quiz given on Thursday, February 12, will be based upon material covered during the period February 2 -- 6, and especially upon the homework collected on Tuesday, February 10. There are no make-up quizzes, regardless of reason. However, only your highest 10 quiz scores will count towards your final grade. Quizzes are ``closed-notes,'' but you will need 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 during the week of May 3 - 7. 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:        40%
Final Exam: 40%

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%

Course Rules:
1. No late or make-up homework assignments will be given for ANY reason.
2. No late or make-up quiz assignments will be given for ANY reason.
3. 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.
4. Students are responsible for all announcements and supplements given within any lecture.
5. 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.
6. If you need to leave class early then please sit in the rear and leave as quietly as possible.
7. All cell phones and pagers shall be turned off before you enter the classroom.