Statistics 360 - Probability

(Offered as STAT 360 and MATH 360) This course explores the nature of probability and its use in modeling real world phenomena. There are two explicit complementary goals: to explore probability theory and its use in applied settings, and to learn parallel analytic and empirical problem-solving skills. The course begins with the development of an intuitive feel for probabilistic thinking, based on the simple yet subtle idea of counting. It then evolves toward the rigorous study of discrete and continuous probability spaces, independence, conditional probability, expectation, and variance. Distributions covered include the binomial, hypergeometric, Poisson, normal, Gamma, Beta, multinomial, and bivariate normal. Other topics include generating functions, order statistics, and limit theorems.

Requisite:

Student has completed or is in the process of completing MATH 121, or has MATH 211 placement, or has consent of the instructor. Limited to 24 students. Fall semester. Professor Horton.

How to handle overenrollment: For the Fall, priority for rising sophomores and Statistics majors, then Mathematics majors.

Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: quantitative work, problem sets, quizzes or exams, group work, use of computational software