2017 Spring Course Syllabus - Mathematics 2031.001
Course: Mathematics 2031.001.
Course Title: Introduction to Probability and Statistics.
Time: TR 11:00 - 12:20.
Place: 10th floor of Wachman.
Instructor: John A. Paulos.
Instructor Office: 542 Wachman.
Instructor Email: john.paulos@temple.edu
Instructor Phone: x-5003.
Office Hours: TR: 10-10:30; 2:00-3:00.
Prerequisites: some "mathematical maturity".
Textbook: Schaum Outline Series on Probability and Statistics.
Course Goals: to impart an understanding and appreciation for the basic ideas of probability and statistics and some of their many applications.
Topics Covered: Sample spaces, events, probability definitions, basic set notation, combinatorics, conditional probability, Bayes' theorem expected value, descriptive and inferential statics including confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, and standard distributions both discrete and continuous.
Course Grading: 3 tests, 20% each; final 40%.
Exam Dates: will be announced at least one week before the tests.
Attendance Policy: strongly recommended.
Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact me privately to discuss the specific situation as soon as possible. Contact Disability Resources and Services at (215) 204-1280, 100 Ritter Annex, to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities.
Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. The University has adopted a policy on Student and Faculty Academic Rights and Responsibilities (Policy # 03.70.02) which can be accessed here.
Students will be charged for a course unless dropped by the Drop/Add deadline date. Check the University calendar for exact dates.
During the first two weeks of the fall or spring semester, students may withdraw from a course with no record of the class appearing on the transcript. In weeks three through nine of the fall or spring semester, or during weeks three and four of summer sessions, the student may withdraw with the advisor's permission. The course will be recorded on the transcript with the instructor's notation of "W," indicating that the student withdrew. After week nine of the fall or spring semester, or week four of summer sessions, students may not withdraw from courses. No student may withdraw from more than five courses during the duration of his/her studies to earn a bachelor's degree. A student may not withdraw from the same course more than once. Students who miss the final exam and do not make alternative arrangements before the grades are turned in will be graded F.
The grade I (an "incomplete") is reserved for extreme circumstances. It is necessary to have completed almost all of the course with a passing average and to file an incomplete contract specifying what is left for you to do. To be eligible for an I grade you need a good reason and you should have missed not more than 25% of the first nine weeks of classes. If approved by the Mathematics Department chair and the CST Dean's office, the incomplete contract must include a default grade that will be used in case the I grade is not resolved within 12 months.