Probability and Statistics I

STA 4442, Summer term 1, 2008


Instructor: Dr. Lianfen Qian, S&E 244, (561) 297-2486 email: lqian@fau.edu

Time and Place: MWF 11:45AM--12:50PM FL 426

Prerequisites: MAC 2311 Calculus and Analytic Geometry

Office hours: 3:00-3:50 PM, MWF or by appointment

Text: Probability and Statistical Inference, 7th Ed.: Robert V. Hogg & Elliot A. Tanis.

This is the first course of a mathematical introduction to Probability and Statistics. We will cover most of Chapters 1-5:
Probability models, Random variables of discrete type, Random variables of continuous type;
Empirical and Probability Distributions, Probability, Discrete Distributions;
Continuous Distributions, Multivariable Distributions, Sampling Distribution Theory.
Tests & Grades:
Quizzes:Every other Friday except the weeks for Midterm and Final Exams 30%
Midterm Exam: June 20 30%
Final Exam: August 1 40%

Your lowest quiz score will be dropped. Under no circumstances will make-up quizzes be given. Make-up exams will be administered only under exceptional circumstances.

Attendance: The instructor reserves the right to make any changes she considers academically advisable. Note that it is your responsibility to attend the class and keep track of the proceedings.


Quote: The most important questions of life are, for the most part, really only problems of probability. ---Pierre Simon Laplace

Definition (American Heritage Dictionary): Probability Theory is a branch of Mathematics that studies the likelihood of occurence of random events in order to predict the behavior of defined systems.


Visit Probability Paradoxes and The Monty Hal Problem