Math 105 Probability Syllabus

Math 105 Probability, taught by Jim Wiseman


Office: 3 Whittier Place, Room 251, 690-5763.

Email: jwisema1@swarthmore.edu

Office hours:  TW 2-3, Th. 2-4, and by appointment.

Text book: Probability and Random Processes, 3rd ed., Grimmett and Stirzaker.

Plan:  We'll cover all or most of chapters 5-9 and 12, and some of 13 as well if we get to it..

Homework:   The homework assignments are the core of the class. I will do very little lecturing; instead, you guys will spend most of the class time presenting problems to each other. Each week, I will assign reading and problems for the following week. By 5:00 Thursday afternoon, you must email me a list of the problems that you are prepared to present at that night's class. I'll let you know at the beginning of class who will be presenting which problems. After class, I'll pick a few of the problems for you to write up and hand in. These problems will be due in my office by 5:00 Monday afternoon (if I'm not there, slide them under my door). Assignments will be posted at www.swarthmore.edu/NatSci/jwisema1/math105/assignments.html.

Group work:   I strongly encourage you to work on the homework in groups.  I suggest that you work on the problems by yourself first, making a note of anything giving you trouble; then meet with your group and work through the remaining problems together; and finally write up the solutions by yourself.
    Every group member must write up his or her own solutions independently; just copying the group's answers is plagiarism and is unacceptable.

Getting help:   As Talking Barbie says, "Math class is tough."  (Unless she's the hacked version - then she says, "Eat lead, Cobra.")  Chances are that sooner or later you'll get stuck on something, so don't get frustrated.  Think hard, and if you're still stuck, do something else for a while.  (It's amazing how often that works.)
    My office hours are above - these are times when I'm guaranteed to be in my office and willing to talk.  If you want to see me at other times, the best thing to do is to set up an appointment with me by email or after class.  Of course, you're welcome to just drop by my office, as long as you don't mind if I'm not there or don't have time to talk.
    Finally, I can't emphasize enough that your classmates are your best source of help.

Grading:   Homework/class participation 3/8 of overall grade, midterm 1/4, final 3/8.

Exam schedule:

  • Midterm: Thursday, March 25, take-home.
  • Final: TBA (take-home).

Late work and make-ups:   Late homework won't be accepted, and you won't be allowed to make up missed exams, except under very exceptional circumstances (e.g., the sasquatch attacks - and even then you should get a note from the sasquatch).  In the case of a conflict that you absolutely can't resolve, you may arrange to take a midterm exam early.

Feedback:   I'm very interested in your feedback throughout the class:  what you like, what you don't, what's working for you, what isn't - anything that you think might help me make the course better.  If you have any comments (and you probably should), the easiest thing to do is to talk to me (or send email) about them.  If you want to remain anonymous, you can fill out the anonymous feedback form on my feedback page.

Webpage: Please check the course webpage for updated information and announcements:
http://www.swarthmore.edu/NatSci/jwisema1/math105


Jim Wiseman
Dept. of Mathematics and Statistics
Swarthmore College