MATH 170A, FALL 2009

Probability Theory

lecturer: Marek Biskup, MS 6180
time and place: MWF 11:00-11:50 PM in MS 5117
office hours: M 1-2, W 10-11 & 1-2

teaching assistant: Wenhua Gao, MS 3970
discussion section: R 11:00-11:50 PM in MS 5117
office hours: T 11-12 (or TBA)

General information:

Textbook: A First Course in Probability by Sheldon Ross, 7th Ed., Prentice Hall.

The class' syllabus is downloadable in HTML and PDF formats. Follow the link Homework assignments to access PDF versions of homework assignments and corresponding due dates.

There will be three in-class midterms that will take place on Oct 16, Nov 6 and Nov 30. The final exam will take place on

the location will be determined shortly.

No make-up exams will be possible. No open book, notes or calculators on the midterms and final exam. You should expect problems derived or literally taken from the homework.

The grading will be strictly on a curve. Letter grading (i.e., A, B+, C-, etc.) will be used. The cutoff between A-C and lower will be set at about 55% of all points you score in the class. In the A-C group, the with A's,B's, and C's will be distributed roughly with proportions 25%, 35% and 40%, respectively.

The final grade will be determined based on point-score which will be computed using the following scheme:

homework	15%
each midterm	15%
final exam	40%

One homework assignment will be distributed every week and will be due by Friday the following week, at the beginning of the class. (Thanksgiving week is an exception when the HW will be due on Wednesday.) If you cannot come to class, bring your assignment the day before to my office. No exceptions will be made in the case of late HW.

No honors section will be offered for this class. Individual consultations and discussions will be possible and warmly welcome, though.