M f396C: Topics in Probability and Statistics, Summer, 2009 Home Page

Unique Number: 91685

Dates: June 8 - 24

Time: M-F 10-11:30 and 1 - 2:30

Room: RLM 10.176

Class Web Page: http://www.ma.utexas.edu/users/mks/396C09/M396C09home.html (There is a link from Blackboard.)

Instructor: Prof. (ret.) Martha K. Smith, RLM 10.136, 471-6142, mksatmath.utexas.edu, http://www.ma.utexas.edu/users/mks/index.html

Office hours: As arranged.

TA: Mark Rothlisberger, RLM 10.106, mrothlisbergeratmath.utexas.edu Office hours: TBA

Prerequisites: Enrollment in the UTeach Master's program, or permission of the instructor. Calculus will be used as needed; instructor will pass out a review sheet on calculus.

Overview of course topics: The role of measures in statistics; random variables and their distributions and properties; various types of means and their uses; basic probability concepts; Bayes' Theorem and various applications; confidence intervals; introduction to Bayesian statistics. There will be a mix of theory and applications.

Class Format: Some lecture, but as much as possible problem based.

Grading Policy: Grades will be based on homework and class participation.

Homework:

Will be assigned for most morning and most afternoon sessions.
Some problems will be handed in, some presented orally or discussed. (Problems to be handed in may also be discussed in class.)
You are expected to be able to explain what you are doing and why.
Problems to be handed in are to be written carefully, paying attention to reasons, logic, and exposition. Remember when writing up problems to hand in that written communication is different from oral communication -- you don't have the opportunity to elaborate in response to questions, so you need to anticipate possible questions.

Required Materials: None. Materials will be passed out as needed. You may wish to have a three-hole notebook to keep them in.

Facilities available for your use:

The classsroom (RLM 10.176) should be available for your use all day. You may also use the Math Department Lounge, RLM 12.104.
Math department computer labs: 7.122 ("The Big Lab"), 8.118, 9.120, 10.130, 13.138 (small labs). If you do not already have a Math Department computer account, click on the button that says "Obtain an Account" (probably in the top left corner of the screen) of a terminal in one of the labs. You will need to fill in your UT ID, the class number, and instructor name. More information on using the Math Department computers.
UTeach facilities in Painter Hall (You probably know better than I do what's available there.)

Academic accommodations for students with disabilities: The University of Texas at Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students wiht disabilities. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259, 471-6441 TTY.