Mathematics 5010-001: Introductory Probability
University of Utah, Summer 2003

  • Time and Place. MWF 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. LCB 121
  • Text. A First Course in Probability, Ross, Prentice Hall, Sixth Edition
  • Prerequisites. Math 1260 or 2210
  • Instructor. Davar Khoshnevisan

Brief Course Description

This is a first course in undergraduate probability. It requires a solid knowledge of Calculus (I, II, III), and covers standard material such as combinatorial problems, random variables, distributions, independence, conditional probability, expected value and moments, law of large numbers, and the central limit theorem.

Grading

There are weekly assignments assigned during the lectures (40%), four midterms (the best three count for 20% each). The midterm exams are not comprehensive. The grading curve follows. Further refinements to the grade (e.g., A-, B+, etc.) are made in accord with the fine details of the student's individual performance.
%-age 86-100 76-85 61-75 51-60 0-50
Grade A BC DE

Exams

The highest three midterm scores, out of the four, make up 60% of the student's grade in the course. The lowest midterm score is dropped. There are no make-up tests in this course, and the midterms are not comprehesive.

Homework (web link )

Homework is assigned during the lectures, and has assigned due dates. The lowest two homework scores are dropped, and the remaining scores make up 40% of the student's final grade in this course. The homeworks are generally a mixture of theoretical (theorem/proof; about 30% of the exam), and computational problems. The only way to keep up with the pace of this course is to solve, at the very least, the assigned homework problems in a timely fashion. Late homework is not accepted.

Tentative Lecture Schedule

May 12.1.1, 1.2, 1.3 Jun 2.3.4 Jul 2.6.1, 6.2
May 14.1.4 Jun 4.3.4 Jul 4.Independence day
May 16.1.5, 2.1, 2.2 Jun 6.4.1, 4.2 Jul 7.6.3
May 19.2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 Jun 9.4.3 Jul 9.6.4, 6.5
May 21.2.5 Jun 11.4.4 Jul 11.6.7
May 23.3.1, 3.2 Jun 13.4.5 Jul 14.Midterm Exam 3
May 26.Memorial day Jun 16.4.6 Jul 16.7.2, 7.3
May 28.3.3 Jun 18.4.7, 4.8 Jul 18.7.4
May 30.Midterm Exam 1 Jun 20.Midterm Exam 2 Jul 21.7.6
Jun 23.5.1, 5.2 Jul 23. 8.2
Jun 25. 5.3, 5.4 Jul 25. 8.3
Jun 27. 5.5, 5.6 Jul 28. 8.3
Jun 30. 5.7 Jul 30. Midterm Exam 4

Seeking Help

To find help, the students are encouraged to visit the instructor during the designated drop-in office hour ( web link), schedule an appointment (web link), or visit the fine (no-cost) tutoring center (web link ) of the department of mathematics. The tutoring center is centered at the T. B. Rushing Undergraduate Student Center in the basement of LCB.

Drop/Withdrawal Dates (Catalogue Information)

web link

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The Americans with Disabilities Act ( web link) requires that reasonable accomodation be provided for students with physical, sensory, cognitive, systemic, learning, and psychiatric disabilities. For further details, contact the instructor at the beginning of the term.

Disclaimer
© 2003 by the Dept of Math. University of Utah