MAT 350 (Applied Probability Models)
Fall 2015
MWThF 1:00 – 1:50 PM WIH 307
Instructor: Sunil K. Chebolu
Contact information: STV 337, 438-3893, [email protected]
Office hours: In STV 337 Th 12:00 – 1:00 PM
F 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Course website: http://math.illinoisstate.edu/schebol/teaching/350-15.html
Please check this website and your ISU email account regularly.
Textbook: Modern Mathematical Statistics with Applications, 2nd edition by Jay L. Devore and Kenneth
N. Berk published by Springer.
Course objectives: The goal of the course is to teach some of the basic ideas and techniques of probability
theory to prepare the student for statistics and more advanced probability. It will cover basic concepts of
probability for discrete and continuous random variables, including: conditional probability, Bayes
formula, independence, multivariable probability, expected value, variance, some important random
variables (such as binomial, Poisson, and normal) and the central limit theorem. We will cover most of the
material from Chapters 1-6 of the above mentioned book.
Prerequisite: C or better in MAT 147. The course assumes knowledge of Calculus through multiple
integrals.
Format: You will read every section before coming to class (You will be informed in advance what topics
we will be covering each week.) and participate in class discussions. After the lecture you will go home and
solve all assigned homework problems for the topic covered in class.
Homework: Homework problems for each section/topic covered in class will be posted on the class
webpage. These problems will not be collected but you have to do these problems. Only by doing these
problems you will learn the subject and will be prepared for the quizzes and exams. There will be a good
correlation between home works and quizzes/exams.
Quizzes and Exams: We will have quizzes on most weeks and two midterms plus a cumulative final.
There will be no makeup for quizzes or midterms. If you end up missing a quiz or an exam due a medial or
family emergency that particular quiz or midterm will be dropped from the grade computation. All exams
are closed book and closed notes. An 8.5x11" sheet will be allowed on the exams but not on the quizzes.
Here the tentative dates:
Midterm 1 – Sep. 28th , Midterm 2 – Oct. 26th, Final – TBA.
Grades: Your cumulative percentage will be calculated based on the following weighs.
Quizzes – 30 %, Participation – 10 %, Midterms – 40% (20% each), Final – 20%
The final Course grades will be assigned according to your percentage and with the usual formula:
A 90-100; B 80-89; C 70-79; D 60-69; F 0-59
Attendance policy: Attending lectures is incredibly important. If you start skipping lectures, very soon you
may find yourself at sea, so please be warned. Note that 10% of your grade will count for attending lectures
and actively participating in the discussions in class.