Math 244: Introduction to Probability Theory
Fall 2018 Course Syllabus
NJIT Academic Integrity Code: All Students should be aware that the Department of Mathematical Sciences takes the University Code on Academic Integrity at NJIT very seriously and enforces it strictly. This means that there must not be any forms of plagiarism, i.e., copying of homework, class projects, or lab assignments, or any form of cheating in quizzes and exams. Under the University Code on Academic Integrity, students are obligated to report any such activities to the Instructor.
Course Information
Course Description: Train students in the calculus of probability. Topics include basic probability theory in discrete and continuous sample space, conditional probability and independence, Bayes' theorem, random variables and their distributions, joint distribution and notion of dependence, expected values and variance, moment generating functions, parametric families of distributions including binomial, multinomial geometric, hypergeometric, exponential, gamma, normal.
Number of Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MATH 112 with a grade of C or better or MATH 133 with a grade of C or better.
Course-Section and Instructors
Course-Section |
Instructor |
Math 244-001 |
Professor S. Subramanian |
Office Hours for All Math Instructors: Fall 2018 Office Hours and Emails
Required Textbook:
Title |
Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists |
Author |
Walpole, et al. |
Edition |
9th |
Publisher |
Prentice Hall |
ISBN # |
0-321629116 |
University-wide Withdrawal Date: The last day to withdraw with a W is Monday, November 12, 2018. It will be strictly enforced.
Course Goals
Course Objectives: Train students in the calculus of probability. Topics include basic probability theory in discrete and continuous sample space, conditional probability and independence, Bayes' theorem, random variables and their distributions, joint distribution and notion of dependence, expected values and variance, moment generating functions, parametric families of distributions including binomial, multinomial geometric, hypergeometric, exponential, gamma, normal.
Course Outcomes: On successful completion student will be able to demonstrate understanding of:
- Discrete and continuous random variables and their cumulative distribution function.
- Random vectors, their joint distributions, and marginal and conditional distributions.
- The Bayes theorem, independence, expectation, and moment generating functions.
- Distributions such as binomial, multinomial, geometric, Poisson, normal, and gamma.
Course Assessment: Will be based on homework/quizzes, one midterm exam and one final exam.
Policies
DMS Course Policies: All DMS students must familiarize themselves with, and adhere to, the Department of Mathematical Sciences Course Policies, in addition to official university-wide policies. DMS takes these policies very seriously and enforces them strictly.
Grading Policy: The final grade in this course will be determined as follows:
Homework and Quizzes |
25% |
Midterm Exam |
40% |
Final Exam |
35% |
Your final letter grade will be based on the following tentative curve.
Attendance Policy: Attendance at all classes will be recorded and is mandatory. Please make sure you read and fully understand the Math Department’s Attendance Policy. This policy will be strictly enforced.
Homework and Quiz Policy: Students are expected to work on problems from the textbook, on topics covered in class. Homework assignments are due within a week unless announced otherwise by instructor. Late homework will not be accepted. Attendance at all quizzes and exams is mandatory.
Exams: There will be one midterm exam held in class during the semester and one comprehensive final exam. Exams are held on the following days:
Midterm Exam |
October 29, 2018 |
Final Exam Period |
December 15 - 21, 2018 |
The final exam will test your knowledge of all the course material taught in the entire course. Make sure you read and fully understand the Math Department's Examination Policy. This policy will be strictly enforced.
Makeup Exam Policy: There will be No make-up QUIZZES OR EXAMS during the semester. In the event an exam is not taken under rare circumstances where the student has a legitimate reason for missing the exam, the student should contact the Dean of Students office and present written verifiable proof of the reason for missing the exam, e.g., a doctor’s note, police report, court notice, etc. clearly stating the date AND time of the mitigating problem. The student must also notify the Math Department Office/Instructor that the exam will be missed.
Cellular Phones: All cellular phones and other electronic devices must be switched off during all class times.
Additional Resources
Math Tutoring Center: Located in the Central King Building, Lower Level, Rm. G11 (See: Fall 2018 Hours)
Further Assistance: For further questions, students should contact their instructor. All instructors have regular office hours during the week. These office hours are listed on the Math Department's webpage for Instructor Office Hours and Emails.
All students must familiarize themselves with and adhere to the Department of Mathematical Sciences Course Policies, in addition to official university-wide policies. The Department of Mathematical Sciences takes these policies very seriously and enforces them strictly.
Accommodation of Disabilities: Disability Support Services (DSS) offers long term and temporary accommodations for undergraduate, graduate and visiting students at NJIT.
If you are in need of accommodations due to a disability please contact Chantonette Lyles, Associate Director of Disability Support Services at 973-596-5417 or via email at lyles@njit.edu. The office is located in Fenster Hall Room 260. A Letter of Accommodation Eligibility from the Disability Support Services office authorizing your accommodations will be required.
For further information regarding self identification, the submission of medical documentation and additional support services provided please visit the Disability Support Services (DSS) website at:
Important Dates (See: Fall 2018 Academic Calendar, Registrar)
Date |
Day |
Event |
September 4, 2018 |
T |
First Day of Classes |
September 10, 2018 |
M |
Last Day to Add/Drop Classes |
November 12, 2018 |
M |
Last Day to Withdraw |
November 20, 2018 |
T |
Thursday Classes Meet |
November 21, 2018 |
W |
Friday Classes Meet |
November 22 - 25, 2018 |
R - Su |
Thanksgiving Recess |
December 12, 2018 |
W |
Last Day of Classes |
December 13 & 14, 2018 |
R & F |
Reading Days |
December 15 - 21, 2018 |
Sa - F |
Final Exam Period |
Course Outline
Week |
Lecture |
Sections |
Topic |
1 |
9/6 (R) |
2.1-2.3 |
Sample space, events, Counting |
2 |
9/10 (M) |
2.1-2.3 |
Counting – continued |
2 |
9/13 (R) |
2.4 |
Probability of an Event |
3 |
9/17 (M) |
2.5 |
Additive Rules |
3 |
9/20 (R) |
2.6 |
Conditional Probability, Independence |
4 |
9/24 (M) |
2.6 |
Product Rules |
4 |
9/27 (R) |
2.7-2.8 |
Bayes Rule |
5 |
10/1 (M) |
3.1 |
Concept of Random Variable |
5 |
10/4 (R) |
3.2 |
Discrete Probability Distributions |
6 |
10/8 (M) |
3.3 |
Continuous Probability Distributions |
6 |
10/11 (R) |
3.3 |
Continuous Probability Distributions -- continued |
7 |
10/15 (M) |
3.4-3.5 |
Joint Probability Distributions |
7 |
10/18 (R) |
3.4-3.5 |
Joint Probability Distributions -- continued |
8 |
10/22 (M) |
4.1-4.3 |
Mean and Variance of Random Variable |
8 |
10/25 (R) |
4.1-4.2 |
Review for Midterm |
9 |
10/29 (M) |
4.3 |
Midterm Exam, Monday, October 29, 2018 |
9 |
11/1 (R) |
5.1-5.2 |
Binomial Distribution |
10 |
11/5 (M) |
5.3 |
Hypergeometric Distribution |
10 |
11/8 (R) |
5.4 |
Negative Binomial Distribution |
11 |
11/12 (M) |
5.5-5.6 |
Poisson Distribution and Process |
11 |
11/15 (R) |
5.5-5.6 |
Poisson Distribution and Process -- continued |
12 |
11/19 (M) |
6.1-6.3 |
Continuous Uniform and Normal |
13 |
11/20 (T) |
6.1-6.3 |
Continuous Uniform and Normal - continued |
13 |
11/26 (M) |
6.4-6.5 |
Normal Approximation to Binomial |
14 |
11/29 (R) |
6.6 |
Gamma and Exponential distributions |
14 |
12/3 (M) |
7.1-7.3 |
Transformations and moment generating functions |
15 |
12/6 (R) |
7.1-7.3 |
Transformations and moment generating functions -- continued |
15 |
12/10 (M) |
|
Review |
Updated by Professor S. Subramanian - 9/1/2018
Department of Mathematical Sciences Course Syllabus, Fall 2018