MATH 4733 - Mathematical Theory of Probability, Section 001 - Fall 2007
TR 1:30-2:45 p.m., 117 PHSC

Instructor: Nikola Petrov, 802 PHSC, (405)325-4316, npetrov AT math.ou.edu

Office Hours: Mon 2:30-3:30 p.m., Tue 4:30-5:30 p.m., or by appointment.

Prerequisite: 2443 (Calculus and Analytic Geometry IV) or concurrent enrollment.

Course catalog description: Probability spaces, counting techniques, random variables, moments, special distributions, limit theorems. (F)

Text: R. J. Larsen, M. L. Marx, Introduction to Mathematical Statistics and Its Applications, 4th edition, Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2005, ISBN-10: 0131867938, ISBN-13: 978-0131867932. The course will cover major parts of chapters 2, 3, and 4.

Homework (solutions are deposited after the due date in the Chemistry-Mathematics Library, 207 PHSC):

Content of the lectures:

Attendance: You are required to attend class on those days when an examination is being given; attendance during other class periods is also strongly encouraged. You are fully responsible for the material covered in each class, whether or not you attend. Make-ups for missed exams will be given only if there is a compelling reason for the absence, which I know about beforehand and can document independently of your testimony (for example, via a note or a phone call from a doctor or a parent).

You should come to class on time; if you miss a quiz because you came late, you won't be able to make up for it.

Homework: It is absolutely essential to solve a large number of problems on a regular basis! Homework assignments will be given regularly throughout the semester and will be posted on this web-site. Usually the homeworks will be due at the start of class on Thursday. Each homework will consist of several problems, of which some pseudo-randomly chosen problems will be graded. Your lowest homework grade will be dropped. All homework should be written on a 8.5"×11" paper with your name clearly written, and should be stapled. No late homework will be accepted!

You are encouraged to discuss the homework problems with other students. However, you have to write your solutions clearly and in your own words - this is the only way to achieve real understanding! It is advisable that you first write a draft of the solutions and then copy them neatly. Please write the problems in the same order in which they are given in the assignment.

Shortly after a homework assignment's due date, solutions to the problems from that assignment will be placed on restricted reserve in the Chemistry-Mathematics Library in 207 PHSC.

Quizzes: Short pop-quizzes will be given in class at random times; your lowest quiz grade will be dropped. Often the quizzes will use material that has been covered very recently (even in the previous lecture), so you have to make every effort to keep up with the material and to study the corresponding sections from the book right after they have been covered in class.

Exams: There will be two midterms and a (comprehensive) final. The approximate dates for the midterms are September 27 and November 1. The final is scheduled for Monday, December 10, 1:30-3:30 p.m. All tests must be taken at the scheduled times, except in extraordinary circumstances. Please do not arrange travel plans that prevent you from taking any of the exams at the scheduled time.

Grading: Your grade will be determined by your performance on the following coursework:

Pop-quizzes (lowest grade dropped) 15%
Homework (lowest grade dropped) 15%
Two in-class midterms 20% each
Final Examination 30%

Academic calendar for Fall 2007.

Policy on W/I Grades : Through September 23, you can withdraw from the course with an automatic W. In addition, it is my policy to give any student a W grade, regardless of his/her performance in the course, through the extended drop period that ends on December 7. However, after October 29, you can only drop via petition to the Dean of your college. Such petitions are not often granted. Furthermore, even if the petition is granted, I will give you a grade of "Withdrawn Failing" if you are indeed failing at the time of your petition.

The grade of I (Incomplete) is not intended to serve as a benign substitute for the grade of F. I only give the I grade if a student has completed the majority of the work in the course (for example everything except the final exam), the coursework cannot be completed because of compelling and verifiable problems beyond the student's control, and the student expresses a clear intention of making up the missed work as soon as possible.

Academic Misconduct: All cases of suspected academic misconduct will be referred to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences for prosecution under the University's Academic Misconduct Code. The penalties can be quite severe. Don't do it! For more details on the University's policies concerning academic misconduct see http://www.ou.edu/provost/integrity/. See also the Academic Misconduct Code, which is a part of the Student Code and can be found at http://www.ou.edu/studentcode/.

Students With Disabilities: The University of Oklahoma is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for all students with disabilities. Students with disabilities who require accommodations in this course are requested to speak with the instructor as early in the semester as possible. Students with disabilities must be registered with the Office of Disability Services prior to receiving accommodations in this course. The Office of Disability Services is located in Goddard Health Center, Suite 166: phone 405-325-3852 or TDD only 405-325-4173.

Good to know: