Mathematics and Computer Science
MAT 3701 -- Probability and Statistics I -- Fall 2017
This syllabus is tentative and should not be considered definitive. The instructor reserves the right to modify it to meet the needs of the class. It is the student responsibility to attend class regularly and to make note of any changes. Be sure you check the class website for sections covered on the exams, homework problems and announcements.
Catalog DescriptionCredit Hours: 3; Basic concepts of probability and Statistics. The fundamental ideas of probability theory and its application to statistics including: data description; counting techniques; sample spaces and probability measures; random variables, distributions and densities; expectation, variance, and covariance; important special distributions and densities; useful functions of random variables.
PrerequisitesMAT 2442
Textbook- We will be covering chapters 1 to 6 out of "John E. Freund's Mathematical Statistics with Applications'', 7th edition, by Miller and Miller.
- As reference, we will be using "Introduction to Probability and Statistics Using R'', 2nd edition by G. Jay Kerns. The book and R code can be found here.
- Conceptual understanding
- Technical proficiency
- Application
There will be a two exams and a comprehensive final exam. The dates and sections covered will be posted here. Your instructor will grant make-up exams to students for properly verified absences due to illness, emergency, participation in an official University activity, or participation in volunteer emergency work.
Tentative Schedule
- Week 1: Chapter 1
- Week 2: Chapter 1
- Week 3: Chapter 2
- Week 4: Chapter 2; Exam 1
- Week 5: Chapter 2
- Week 6: Chapter 3
- Week 7: Chapter 3
- Week 8: Chapter 4
- Week 9: Chapter 4
- Week 10: Chapter 4; Exam 2
- Week 11: Chapter 5
- Week 12: Chapter 5
- Week 13: Chapter 6
- Week 14: Chapter 6
- Week 15: Chapter 6
Homework, including R projects, will be assigned weekly and posted on this page. There will also be (pop) quizzes and in-class work which will count towards homework points. Weekly homework assignments will be accepted late, but points will be deducted, as long as the homework set has not been returned to the class. Homework, quiz, and exam scores can be found in D2L . Before attempting the homework problems, you are expected to read the sections carefully. You are strongly encouraged to discuss homework problems with your instructor, use the math tutoring service, and to work with your fellow classmates. However, you are expected to write up your own solutions.
All homework assignments must be typeset in LaTex with the problems in order and organized by section. The first two homework assignments may be handwritten. There will be a LaTex Workshop TBA, more details to come. LaTeX is installed in the computer labs Old Main 3041 and 3013, as well as on all the iMacs in the Media Lab Plus in the library . It may be installed on your laptop, click here for details. You may also use LaTeX online, see Overleaf. Homework template and examples in LaTex, as well as homework, quiz and exam scores, can be found in D2L .
Some homework sets will require computation in "R", a free open statistical software package. ''R'' is installed on the computers in Old Main 3041 and 3014. It may be installed on your laptop, click here for The ''R'' Project and directions on downloading ''R''. You may also use it for free online, click here for the ''R'' online calculator. If you are interested in an integrated deveopment environment, you can also download RStudio .
Most odd problems have solutions in the book. You are encouraged to attempt all of them.| Section | Problems | Due Dates |
| HW 1 | The Riddler. A new Riddler with solution to previous riddle is posted every Friday 8am EST. Submit one Classic or two Express. | Fri 8 Dec |
| HW 2 | Attend a Math/CS event | Fri 8 Dec |
| HW 3 | HW Template, in LaTeX and in PDF. Ch 1: 8, 9, 10, 43, 44, 45, 47, 49, 50, 51. |
Fri 1 Sep |
| Quiz 1 | suggested (not collected) factorial, binomial coefficient, 2.1 - 2.4; 2.35 - 2.51 odd |
Fri 8 Sep |
| R HW 1 | TBA Submit via D2L. | TBA |
| HW 4 | 2.5, 2.8, 2.9, 2.11, 2.60, 2.62, 2.68, 2.70, 2.76, 2.78 | Fri 15 Sep |
| Exam 1 | The exam will cover ch1 and ch 2 up to section 2.7. | Wed 20 Sep |
| R HW 2 | Submit via D2L. | Wed 27 Sep |
| Quiz 2 | Bayes Theorem; review (not collected) 2.97 - 2.111 odd | Fri 29 Sep |
| HW 5 | 3.2, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.9, 3.10, 3.13, 3.14, 3.84, 3.88 | Fri 6 Oct |
| Quiz 3 | Statistics and the Law; Introduction; Bayesian Approach | Wed 11 Oct |
| Quiz 4 | suggested (not collected) Ch 3 #'s 1,5,9,11, 17-37 odd; Ch 4 #'s 1-11 odd, 17, 19, 21, 23, 61, 63, 65, 69, 71 | Fri 20 Oct |
| Exam 2 | 2.8, 3.1-3.5, 4.1-4.4; formulas | Fri 27 Oct |
| HW 6 | collected: Ch4: 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39, 40; Ch5: 2, 3, 40. not collected: 4.36, 5.1, 5.4, 5.5 |
Fri 3 Nov |
| Quiz 5 | Statistics and the Law: Identification Evidence | Mon 6 Nov |
| R HW 3 | Submit via D2L. | TBA |
| Quiz 6 | Ch 5.1 - 5.6; problems 5.41 - 5.69 odd | Fri 10 Nov |
| Quiz 7 | Statistics and the Law: People v. Collins | Wed 15 Nov |
| Quiz 8 | Integration and Differentiation | Fri 17 Nov |
| HW 7 | Ch 5 #'s 5, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 28, 33, 74, 80 | Sat 18 Nov |
| Quiz 9 | Statistics and the Law: Discrimination Cases | Wed 29 Nov |
| Quiz 10 | 6.50 - 6.58, 6.62 - 6.73 | Fri 1 Dec |
- Click here for sample files from a previous LaTex Workshop.
- Click here for the Khan Academy.
- Click here for A Visual Introduction to Probability and Statistics.
- C. O'Neil Bloomberg Article List
- Click here for the Fake Randomness Project
- Click here for Poker Hand Rankings.
- Click here for poker probabilities.
- Click here for Actuarial Problemsolving.
- Click here for integral tables.
- Click here for binomial distribution table.
- Click here for Poisson distribution table.
- Click here for normal distribution table.
- Click here final exam cover page.
Your course grade will be determined using the following distributions:
| Exam 1 | 20% |
| Exam 2 | 20% | HW/Quizzes | 30% |
| Final Exam | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
You are guaranteed a grade of:
| A | if you earn at least 90%. |
| B | if you earn at least 80%. |
| C | if you earn at least 70%. |
| D | if you earn at least 60%. |
| F | otherwise |
Students are expected to attend class meetings as scheduled. When an absence does occur, the student is responsible for the material covered during the absence. When possible, the student should notify the instructor in advance of an anticipated absence.
Course and Instructor EvaluationsDuring the last few weeks of the semester, you will be provided an opportunity to evaluate this course and your instructor. Your feedback is vital to improving education at Eastern Illinois University. I strongly urge you to participate in the evaluation system.
Accommodations for Students with DisabilitiesClick here to view information regarding accommodations.
Academic DishonestyEastern Illinois University faculty and students commit themselves towards maintaining a culture of academic integrity and honesty. Click here to view the Student Code of Conduct. Violations will be reported to the Office of Student Standards, which can result in a failing grade for the course.
Student Success CenterStudents who are having difficulty achieving their academic goals are encouraged to contact the Student Success Center. The center provides individualized consultations for assistance with time management, test taking, note taking, avoiding procrastination, setting goals, and other skills to support academic achievement.
Take Care of YourselfDiminished mental health, including significant stress, mood changes, excessive worry, or problems with eating and/or sleeping can interfere with optimal academic performance. The source of symptoms might be related to your course work; if so, please speak with me. However, problems with relationships, family worries, loss, or a personal struggle or crisis can also contribute to decreased academic performance. Know that help, if needed, is available.
EIU provides cost-free mental health services through the Counseling Center to help you manage personal challenges that threaten your personal or academic well-being. Visit them on the first floor of the Human Services Building, Monday through Friday from 8:00 am-4:30 pm. You may also contact them at 217-581-3413. For after-hours emergencies, contact their emergency number at 217-549-6483.
If you are uncomfortable seeking on-campus services, LifeLinks in Mattoon offers mental health services. Although they charge fees for some services, they have a no-cost toll free Crisis Line (866-567-2400); when a caller phones the toll free number, they are immediately connected to a trained crisis clinician. There is no cost for this service, and it is available 365 days per year, 24 hours per day.
Remember, getting help is a smart and healthy thing to do - for yourself and for your loved ones.