Math 403: Theory of Probability
Spring 2009
- Instructor: L. Peterson
- Section information: Section
1, class number 11216, 12:30 P.M.-1:45 P.M., TuTh,
Witmer Hall, Room 307
- Prerequisites: Math
265 (Calculus III)
- Phone numbers: 777-4609
(office), 795-8984 (home), 777-2881 (Mathematics office)
- E-mail
address: lawrence.peterson@und.nodak.edu
- Office: 322 Witmer Hall
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Office hours:
| Mondays: | 1:00-1:50 P.M.
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| Tuesdays: | 2:00-2:50 P.M.
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| Wednesdays: | 1:00-1:50 P.M.
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| Thursdays: | 2:00-2:50 P.M.
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| Fridays: | 1:00-1:50 P.M.
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These office hours do not apply during university recesses and
holidays, on Reading and Review Day (May 8, 2009), or during final
exam week. It is generally better for me if you come to see me
during my posted office hours rather than at other times, but you
may drop in to see me anytime during normal business hours. If I am
available and not overly busy, then I can meet with you. We can
also set up an appointment if this is necessary.
- URL for Web site: http://www.und.nodak.edu/instruct/lapeters.
I will post all of the assignments and most class announcements on the
Web site. Use of the Web site is optional.
- Textbook: Introduction to
Probability by Douglas G. Kelly (Prentice-Hall, 1994).
This is the only required book for this course.
You may purchase the text at Barnes & Noble, at the Dakota Textbook
Company, or from other book distributors (such as Internet-based
distributors).
- Calculators and computers: You will
need a scientific calculator or a graphing calculator for this course.
Graphing calculators are generally better than ordinary scientific
calculators.
- Grading:
- Midterm exams: 50%
- Final exam: 30%
- Homework: 20%
- Grading scale: 90% A, 80% B,
70% C, 60% D
- Exams: There will be two midterm
exams and one final exam. The midterm exams will occur in class
during regular class periods. The final exam will be comprehensive
with an emphasis on the material following the second midterm.
You may use pocket calculators on exams, but you may
not use laptop computers, books, or notes on exams.
- Absences from exams: If you will
be absent from an exam, please call me in advance.
- Homework: I will assign homework
problems regularly, collect them on announced due dates, and grade
most, if not all, of the problems on each assignment. In many
cases, the answer to the problem will appear at the end of the
particular section of the book, but you must show your work to get
full credit. You may work on homework assignments together in
groups, but do not copy someone else's solutions. You may also come
to my office for additional help. A file folder in the Mathematics
Learning Center (rooms 310 and 312, Witmer Hall) will contain
solutions to past homework problems. You may borrow them for a few
minutes at a time. Feel free to photocopy them. There is a
photocopier near the elevator on the second floor of Witmer Hall.
- Policy on late homework: I will collect
homework in class, but it is not officially due until
4:20 P.M. on the announced due date. If you hand in your
homework after class, please bring it to my office; if I am not in
my office, please bring it to the secretary in the Mathematics
Department office. Homework coming in after the
4:20 P.M. deadline will receive 50% credit, provided you hand
it in by 4:20 P.M. on the following business day.
- Course content and course
objectives: This is a calculus-based course in
probability. Our work will involve calculus as well as other
methods. The emphasis will be on examples and problem solving. We
will cover the first six chapters of the textbook, as time permits.
We will probably skip sections 1.5, 2.5, 3.6, 5.3, 5.4, and
6.4. The specific course objectives are as follows:
- To give the student a basic understanding of elementary
probability concepts, such as
discrete and continuous probability spaces,
conditional probability,
independence,
expected value,
normal distributions, and
the Central Limit Theorem,
etc.
- To develop the student's ability to solve probability problems.
- Disabilities and medical
information: If you have emergency medical
information to share with me, if you need special arrangements in
case the building must be evacuated, or if you need accommodations
in this course because of a disability, please make an appointment
with me. If you plan to request disability accommodations, please
register with the Disability Services for
Students (DSS) office (190 McCannel Hall, 777-3425 voice/TDD).
- Final exam: 1:00-3:00 P.M.,
Tuesday, May 12, 2009, in the usual classroom.
Links
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Lawrence J. Peterson home page
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Information on tutoring
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Mathematics Computer Lab home page
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Department of Mathematics home page
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University of North Dakota home page
Notes on Web Page
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Contact Person: Larry Peterson
E-mail: lawrence.peterson@und.nodak.edu
Phone: (701) 777-4609
Date of most recent update: 8 January 2009
University of North Dakota home page