The Pennsylvania State University, Spring 2011
STAT 418, Section 002: Probability
This course introduces students to the fundamentals and axioms of
probability. Topics covered include combinatorial probability,
conditional probability and independence, probability laws, random
variables, expectation, gambler's ruin, Chebyshev's inequality,
Laws of Large Numbers, and the Central Limit Theorem.
Applications to a variety of fields will be emphasized.
Throughout the course, we shall monitor
The Centre Daily Times
and The New York Times
for articles related to topics covered in the course. We shall
work through the probabilistic
information in such articles so as to relate them to the
subject of the course and to our everyday lives and experiences.
Contact Information
- Donald Richards, Instructor
- Class Time: TR 1:00 - 2:15 p.m., 201 Thomas Building
- Office Hours: Thursday 2:30 - 4:00 p.m., or by appointment
- Office: 311 Thomas Building
- Phone: 865-3993
- E-mail:
- Wei Sun, Teaching Assistant
- Office Hours: F 3:45 - 4:45 p.m., or by appointment
- Office: 418 Thomas Building
- Phone: 865-3230
- E-mail: wus122(at)psu.edu
Course Information