The Pennsylvania State University, Spring 2009

STAT 418, Section 2: Probability

Course Syllabus

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

Textbook: A First Course in Probability, seventh edition, by S. Ross.

Required Work:
1. Weekly homework assignments.
2. Two mid-term examinations, scheduled for February 10 and March 24.
3. A comprehensive final examination, to be held during the week of May 4-8.
4. Full attendance at classes.
5. Regular reading of The Centre Daily Times and The New York Times.

Homework: Each weekly homework assignment will be collected at the beginning of class on the following Tuesday. Late assignments will not be accepted, regardless of reason, but only your highest 13 homework scores will count toward your final grade.

Mid-term Examinations: Two closed-book, mid-term exams will be given. Exam 1 will be given on February 10, and Exam 2 will be given on March 24. If you wish, you may bring to each mid-term exam a calculator and one 8.5 x 11-inch page of formulas or notes.

Final Examination: The final examination is mandatory, closed-book, and comprehensive. The examination will be held during the week of May 4-8. All students are required to bring their PSU ID card to the exam. You may also bring to the exam a calculator and one 8.5 x 11-inch page of formulas or notes.

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%

Grading policy: Overall scores will be calculated using the following scheme:


Assignments Weight Date
Homework Problems 25% Weekly
Mid-term Exam 1 20% February 10
Mid-term Exam 2 20% March 24
Final Exam 35% May 4-8


Course Rules:
1. No late or make-up homework assignments will be given for ANY reason.
2. No late or make-up mid-term exams will be given for ANY reason. If you miss an exam, you should provide a valid reason IN WRITING to the instructor. Once the instructor has approved your explanation, the weight of your next exam will be combined with the weight of the missed exam (e.g., if you miss mid-term exam 1 then your weight on mid-term exam 2 will be 40%).
3. Considerations for early final examinations will be allowed to students with direct conflicts due to other required university activities. Directors of those programs 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. You are expected to attend all lectures and are required to take all exams, so it is your responsibility to know the exam dates.
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 of the classroom and depart as quietly as possible.
7. Please turn off all cell phones and pagers before entering the classroom.