MA 421 Syllabus Fall, 2009 S.O. Paur

Description: MA 421 is a one semester course in probability for math majors and students in other majors who want to learn the basic theory of probability as well as some applications of probability.

Text: A First Course in Probability (8th edition) by Sheldon Ross. ISBN: 978-0-13-603313-4.


Schedule: We will cover the first seven chapters although some sections or parts of sections may be omitted. If time permits we will do some of the sections in chapters 8 and/or 9. The choice of topics covered at the end of the course will depend to some extent on the amount of time available to cover the material. There will be 3 hour exams with the first one probably coming when we complete chapter 3, the second after we complete chapter 5 and the third after chapter 7. That schedule depends on the rate at which the class progresses so it is subject to change. The final exam is Wednesday, Dec. 9, from 8 am - 11 am. There will be 8-10 homework assignments due about every week and a half.


Grading policy: Each hour exam is worth 18%, homework counts 18% and the final exam counts 28%.You are expected to attend all classes on time. If you have to miss an exam for reasons of illness or some other excused absence, please contact me prior to the exam so we can arrange for a makeup. Incomplete grades will be handled on an individual basis. If you are ill with symptoms of H1N1 influenza (i.e. fever over 100, sore throat, cough, stuffy or runny nose, fatigue, headache, body aches, vomitting and diarrhea) please do not come to class. Istead, immediately contact your medical provider or Student Health Services (515-7107) for advice or to arrange an appointment. If you are diagnosed with H1N1, please inform your instructor immediately. You will be required to be isolated away from class until at least 24 hours after you are free of fever (100 degrees), or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medications.

Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with verifiable disabilities.  In order to take advantage of available accomodations, students must register with Disability Services for Students at 1900 Student Health Center, Campus Box 7509, 515-7653.  For more information on NC State's policy on working with students with disabilities, please see the Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Regulation (REG02.20.1).  It is my understanding and expectation that your signature on any exam or assignment means that you have neither given nor received any unauthorized aid. Students may discuss assignments with other students in this section of the class and with me, but no other persons. Students are expected to write up their assignments individually.

How to reach me:
Office: SAS 3144
Office Hours: 10:15 - 11:15, MWF or by appointment
Office Phone: 515-2598
Home Phone: 782-8190 (8:30 AM - 9:00 PM)
web page: http://www4.ncsu.edu/~sopaur/
email: sopaur@math.ncsu.edu