Time and location: MWF 1:00pm-1:50pm, KAP 148
Office hours: WF: 11:00am-12:30pm or by appointment, KAP 248E
Textbook: Probability: Theory and Examples (4th ed.), by Richard Durrett
Instructor: Jianfeng Zhang, KAP 248E, (213)740-9805, jianfenz@usc.edu, www-bcf.usc.edu/~jianfenz
Grader: TBA
Midterm Exam: Friday, Oct. 9, 1:00-1:50pm
Final Exam: Wednesday, Dec. 16, 11:00am-1:00 p.m.
Course Description: In this course we will introduce two important theorems, Laws of Large Numbers and Central Limit Theorems, in a rigorous (measure-theory based) way. Both the theorems and the techniques used to prove them are important. We will go over Chapter 1 briefly, and cover most of Chapters 2 and 3 in details.
Grading Policies: 30% on homework, 25% on Midterm Exam, and 45% on Final Exam.
Homework: Homework will be assigned every two weeks in class. You are allowed and even encouraged to discuss the problems with others, but each one should write down your final solutions independently.
Exams: Both exams are open book, open notes, but non-cooperative. The Midterm Exam will cover the first half of the course, and the Final Exam is comprehensive with more emphasis on the second half of the course.
Missed Exams: There will be NO makeup exams. You must take the Final Exam in order to get the grade. If you miss the Midterm Exam with VALID reasons, I will assign your grade based on your Final Exam and Homework.
Feedback and Questions: It is very useful to get feedback and questions, both inside and outside class. You are very welcome to visit me during my office hours. You can also make appointments to see me at other time.
Statement for Students with Disabilities: Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a disability is required to register with Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter of verification for approved accommodations can be obtained from DSP. Please be sure the letter is delivered to me (or to TA) as early in the semester as possible. DSP is located in STU 301 and is open 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The phone number for DSP is (213) 740-0776.
Statement on Academic Integrity: USC seeks to maintain an optimal learning environment. General principles of academic honesty include the concept of respect for the intellectual property of others, the expectation that individual work will be submitted unless otherwise allowed by an instructor, and the obligations both to protect one’s own academic work from misuse by others as well as to avoid using another’s work as one’s own. All students are expected to understand and abide by these principles. Scampus, the Student Guidebook, contains the Student Conduct Code in Section 11.00, while the recommended sanctions are located in Appendix A: http://www.usc.edu/dept/publications/SCAMPUS/gov/. Students will be referred to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards for further review, should there be any suspicion of academic dishonesty. The Review process can be found at: http://www.usc.edu/student-affairs/SJACS/.