Introduction to Probability and Statistics Mathematics 240A

1
Introduction to Probability and
Statistics(Mathematics 240A)
2
Instructor Information

• Instructor Zilin Wang
• Office BA 528
• E-mail zwang_at_wlu.ca
• Office hours Tuesday 400 530 p.m. and
  Thursday 930 - 11 a.m. or by appointment
• Website
• http//info.wlu.ca/wwwmath/faculty/zwang/MA240/ma
  240main.htm

3
Text and Materials

• Textbook
• Richard A. Johnson, Miller Freunds Probability
  and Statistics for Engineers, Seventh Edition,
  Prentice Hall.
• Calculators
• Each student will need a scientific calculator.
  Use of a calculator will be necessary for writing
  both the test and the final examination. A
  programmable or graphing calculator used during
  the test or the exam must have the memory
  cleared. It is deterministic since there is no
  allowance for statistical errors.

4
Suggested Exercises
5
Determination of Grades

• Laboratories 30
• Term Test 30
• Final Examination 55

6
Laboratories

• Lab Co-ordinator Riley Metzger (BA530, Ext.
  2077)
• Three 2-hour sections on Monday (1030 to 1220,
  1230 to 220 and 230 to 420) in BA 531.
• Lab website http//www.wlu.ca/page.php?grp_id630
  s_id1671

7
Term Test

• Wednesday, October 26th, 530 to 650 pm
• multiple choice questions and problems
• no make-up test (for those that do legitimately
  miss a test and provide the required supporting
  documentation, the weight of that test will be
  reassigned to the final exam)
• Any apparent error in the marking of a test must
  be reported within one week of the date the test
  was returned in class. No marks will be changed
  after that time.
• all tables needed and some formulas will be
  provided on tests advance notification will be
  given about which formulas will be provided

8
Final Examination

• two hours
• cumulative but emphasizing more on the material
  after the midterm test

9
Course Help

• Instructor
• Mathematics Help Center (BA 432) for general math
  help

10
Some Tips for a Successful Course

• Read the text in advance of the lectures (see
  lecture schedule in the course outline). The same
  material, but different examples will be used in
  class.
• Come to class regularly, listen, ask questions
  (in or out of class) and take notes.
• Attend all the labs.
• Do all the questions in the text (the suggested
  exercises in the course outline comprise the
  minimum that is required).