The University of Connecticut/Storrs

Mathematics 231-04 Probability

Home page, Spring 2008

Professor G. M. Leibowitz

Text: A First course in Probability, seventh edition, by Sheldon Ross.

Mathematics 231Q-01 topical syllabus, Spring 2008.
The academic integrity statement in the Student Conduct Code .

Introductory Notes: Section 1.1
Counting Principles: Section 1.2
Notes on section 4.1, Random variables.
Notes on Section 4.3, Expectation of a Discrete Random Variable.

Notes on Section 4.7, The Poisson distribution.


Notes on the values of the Gamma function at half of an odd integer.

Exam 1. Monday, February 18, 2008. 
Topics from Chapters 1 and 2 and class lectures and handouts.
Much of the exam (75%) will consist of applications of the principles to specific situations,
but there will be two proofs to do (worth 15%), a general application of one of the properties of probability (worth 5%),
and small problem asking what exactly is in the axioms (5%).

Exam 2 date: Friday, March 21, 2008.
(Since that is Good Friday, students who cannot take the exam on this date may take the exam on the previous day, Thursday March 20.)
Exam 2 Topics Guide

Exam 3 date: Wednesday, April 23, 2008.
Exam 3 Topics Guide
Exam 3 Sample Exam 3 key

Final examination date and time: Friday, May 9, 2008 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM.

Rescheduling bunched finals. If a student has 2 exams scheduled for the
same day and time, or 3 exams scheduled in consecutive time blocks over two days,
or 3 exams in one day, or 4 exams in two consecutive days, the student may apply at the
Information Desk in the lobby of the Wilbur Cross building to reschedule one or more
of those finals. If the application is granted, the office of the Dean of Students will
give the student a rescheduling permission form to deliver to the instructor. Ordinarily,
requests to reschedule a final exam that conflicts with a student's travel plans
are not granted.

Grade calculation: Numerical grades will be calculated by a simple average,
with Homework grade, Exam 1, Exam 2, Exam 3, and the Final exam each counting as 20%.