Math 312: Probability & Statistics 2, Winter 2020-2021
It is the prerogative of the Math 312 instructor to change the course during the term at our dis-
cretion. Any changes will be communicated via Blackboard Learn, so be sure to check it frequently.
Course announcements, exam information, and other details will be regularly posted to BbLearn.
You are expected to be fully aware of the following policies and expectations, so review this infor-
mation carefully and ask your instructor if you have further questions.
Course Instructor
Jason Aran [email protected]* 215-571-3585 Korman 257
*E-mail is the best way to contact me. I will not be in my office for the Winter term.
Prerequisites
Students entering Math 312 are expected to have completed Math 200: Multivariable Calculus and
Math 311: Probability & Statistics 1, or their equivalents. Any questions regarding your readiness
for the course should be resolved immediately.
Course Description
This course is the second in the probability and statistics sequence. Students will learn basic con-
cepts and terminology of the probability theory and will acquire problem solving skills appropriate
to the material. Topics include joint & marginal distributions for continuous random variables, dis-
tributions of functions of random variables, moment-generating function technique, the central limit
theorem. Estimation, consistency, unbiasedness, maximum likelihood, and simple linear regression.
Learning Objectives
• Be able to work with joint and marginal distributions of continuous random variables.
• Be able to find the distribution of a new random variable defined as a function of another
random variable.
• Understand the mathematical meaning of an estimator.
• Understand the mathematics of linear regression and the simple linear model.
Recommended Textbook
Beginning this term, the math department is recommending the use of Probability and Statistical
Inference, 10th edition, by Hogg, Tanis, & Zimmerman, ISBN: 978-0-13-518939-9.
Since this is the middle course in the 311-312-313 sequence and you may have other probability
& statistics textbooks already, I will not assign problems specifically from this book; you may use
other books or relevant references that cover the same content.
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Course structure
A unit will open up each week on a Tuesday at 8 am. Typically, the unit will contain lectures and
a homework assignment. You should watch the lectures and take appropriate notes. Then, you
should attempt the homework assignment, referring back to your notes and reference as needed.
You may always reach out to me via email or in office hours for some assistance; we can also set up
individual zoom meetings as needed. Alternatively, you can use the math resource center, described
later in this syllabus.
Exams
There will be two exams given during the term. The first will be given during week 5 and the second
exam will be given during final exam week. Specifics about the exam content will be announced at
least a week in advance.
Tutoring Services
In addition to your instructor’s office hours, you can receive extra assistance in the Math Resource
Center (MRC) . Due to Covid-19, the MRC will be operating virtually through Zoom. The Winter
term hours are Monday - Thursday from 10:00 am - 7:00 pm, and Friday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.
To visit the MRC for extra help, go to this link during its hours of operation:
https://drexel.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIkf-6sqjIuH9csJoLbof4IxZpegEWypwEd
Course Grading
Your grade will be computed as follows:
Homework 50%
Exam 1 25%
Exam 2 25%
NOTE: We do not offer any extra credit opportunities.
Grade Cutoffs
A B C D F
90 - 100 % 80 - 89 % 70 - 79 % 60 - 69% 0 - 59 %
* Plus and minus will be assigned at the discretion of the instructor.
Disabilities and Accommodations
Students requesting accommodations due to a disability at Drexel University need to request a
current Accommodations Verification Letter (AVL) in the Clock database before accommodations
can be made. These requests are received by Disability Resources (DR), who then issues the AVL
to the appropriate contacts. For additional information, visit the DR website.
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• DR Website: https://drexel.edu/oed/disabilityResources/overview/
• Clock Database: https://drexel.edu/oed/disabilityResources/students/
• DR Phone Number: 215.895.1401
Academic Honesty
Cheating and other forms of academic misconduct are serious offenses and are dealt with harshly,
e.g. at the very least a 0 on an exam and a letter sent to the Office of Student Conduct. Students
should be familiar with the following policies:
Academic Honesty Policy:
https://drexel.edu/provost/policies/academic-integrity/
Student Handbook / Academic Integrity Policy:
https://drexel.edu/studentlife/community standards/code-of-conduct/academic-integrity-policy/
Academic Integrity Resources:
https://drexel.edu/studentlife/community standards/resources/
Appropriate Use of Course Materials
It is important to recognize that some or all of the course materials provided to you are the
intellectual property of Drexel University, the course instructor, or others. Use of this intel-
lectual property is governed by Drexel University policies, including the IT-1 policy found at:
https://drexel.edu/it/about/policies/policies/01-Acceptable-Use/
Briefly, this policy states that all course materials including recordings provided by the given prior
written approval by the University. Doing so may be considered a breach of this policy and will
be investigated and addressed as possible academic dishonesty, among other potential violations.
Improper use of such materials may also constitute a violation of the University’s Code of Conduct
found at: https://drexel.edu/cpo/policies/cpo-1/ and will be investigated as such.
Recording of Class Activities:
In general, students and others should not record course interactions and course activities in lecture,
lab, studio or recitation.
Students who have an approved accommodation from the Office of Disability Resources to record
online lectures and discussions for note taking purposes should inform their course instructor(s)
of their approved accommodation in advance. The recording of lectures and discussions may only
be carried out by the students enrolled in the class who have an approved accommodation from
Disability Resources with their instructors’ prior knowledge and consent. Students with approved
accommodations may be asked to turn off their recorder if confidential or personal information is
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presented.
If a student has any comments, concerns, or questions about provided class materials and/ or record-
ing, talk to your course instructor first. If this does not resolve the issue, you can also reach out to the
Department Head, and use the process described for a grade appeal to move your concern forward.
The process described for grade appeals can be found at: https://drexel.edu/provost/policies/grade-
appeals/
Course Drop & Withdrawal Policies
Students should be familiar with the following policies:
http://www.drexel.edu/provost/policies/course drop.asp
http://www.drexel.edu/provost/policies/pdf/course withdrawal.pdf
Important Dates
Students should also keep in mind the following important dates:
• Friday, January 15, 2020: Last day to Add/Drop a course with Academic Advisor assistance
• Sunday, January 17, 2020: Last day to Add/Drop a course via DrexelOne by 11:59 p.m.
• Friday, February 26, 2020: Last day to Withdraw from a course with Academic Advisor
assistance
