Math 477:01 Fall 2007--Course Policies and Information

Course Policies and Information
Math 477:01 -- Fall 2007

Instructor: Professor E. Speer, Hill Center 520, 732-445-1313

Office hours:
- Tuesday, 9:00--9:40 AM, Murray 115
- Friday, 9:00--9:40 AM, Murray 111
- Tuesday 3:20--4:40 PM, Hill 520
Text: Ross, A First Course in Probability, Seventh Edition. Pearson/Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, 2006.

Prerequisite: Third semester calculus (640:251 or equivalent) is an unwaivable prerequisite: a working knowledge of multiple integrals is essential. Also, please be aware that a student can receive credit for at most one of the courses 01:640:477, 01:198:206, 01:960:381, and 14:330:321.
General: As you can see from the tentative syllabus, we will cover most of the book. This is a good bit of material; we start fast and it is important not to fall behind. Remember that the way to learn mathematics is to do problems! There are lots of examples in the book to serve as models, and there are lots of good exercises. Do the assigned problems, and then do a few others. If you have trouble doing the homework, I urge you to come in during my office hours, or at some other time, and discuss it before it is due.
Homework: Homework problems will be assigned weekly through postings on the web page, and will normally be due on Tuesdays. Only some of these will be collected and graded, but it is important to do them all. Since answers to many problems are given in the back of the book, you must explain clearly how to get the answer in order to receive credit. Homework is due at the beginning of the class period for which it is assigned, and late homework will not be accepted.
You are strongly encouraged to discuss homework problems with me or with other students. On the other hand, after you have finished discussing a problem, you must write your solution independently, not in concert with others.
Exams: There will be two in-class exams, on October 9 and November 13; the final exam is on December 18. Make-up exams will be given only in the case of well-documented illness or major emergency or (only with permission in advance) of a major outside commitment.
Grading: Grading will be based on a weighted average of homework and exams:

Homework		20%
Class exams	20% each	40%
Final exam		40%

Course Policies and Information Math 477:01 -- Fall 2007

Course Policies and Information
Math 477:01 -- Fall 2007