STA
551 - Introduction to Probability and Mathematical Statistics I
Fall 2005
Instructor: Dr. Scott Richter
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Office: Bryan 389
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Phone: 256-1123 email: sjricht2@uncg.edu web page: www.uncg.edu/~sjricht2 |
About the course
STA 551 is the first course
of a two-semester sequence providing an axiomatic introduction to probability
and mathematical statistics. Topics include basic properties of probability, Bayes theorem, discrete and continuous random variables
including binomial, hypergeometric, negative
binomial, Poisson, uniform, gamma and normal distributions, moment and
probability generating functions and multivariate distributions. After
completing the course, students will: 1) understand the meaning of probability
as a measure of uncertainty, and understand basic properties of probabilities;
2) be able to use probability distributions to describe random variables and
solve problems; 3) be able to describe the sampling distribution of the mean of
a random sample and compute associated probabilities; 4) have the necessary
foundation to study statistical inference (STA 552).
Prerequisite: A grade of at least "C" in MAT 293 (Calculus III). At a minimum, students should have a good working knowledge of differentiation and integration of polynomial, exponential and logarithmic functions.
We will use the text: John E. Freund’s Mathematical Statistics with Applications, 7th edition, by Miller & Miller, and will cover most of the material in Chapters 1 through 8.
Assignments and class participation
Practice exercises from the text and supplementary materials will be assigned
regularly. These are designed to provide practice and to help synthesize
readings, class discussions, and lectures. These exercises will not be
collected, but periodically students will be asked to present solutions to
selected exercises. The class participation grade will be based on: 1) the quality
of the presented solutions; and 2) presenting the required (ideally each
student will present about four times during the semester) number of solutions
throughout the semester. Additional exercises will
also be assigned as “Assignments” and are to be submitted to be
graded. The exercises and due dates for these Assignments will be announced
throughout the semester.
Tests
Tests will be administered periodically throughout the term. All tests will be
cumulative in the sense that students will be expected to apply previous
concepts in answering questions about more recent material. Most of the test
questions will be completed during the class time designated for the test, but
some may be submitted at the beginning of the next class meeting. The tentative
test dates are:
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Test 1 |
September 20 |
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Test 2 |
November 1 |
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Test 3 |
December 13 (8:00) |
Determination of
course grade
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Test
1: 20% of course grade |
Grading scale
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Graduate students will be expected to demonstrate a deeper understanding
of concepts and methods, and will be required to complete additional exercises
on assignments and tests.
Academic Integrity
Students are encouraged to discuss solutions to
assignments, but each student is expected to write-up his or her solutions
independently. Copying other people's work is plagiarism and is an Honor Code
violation. You are responsible for
knowing and abiding by the UNCG Honor Code.
Disabilities
If you have a documented disability and wish to
discuss academic accommodations, please contact me as soon as possible.