COURSE SYLLABUS FOR MATH 355/455

Welcome to MAT 455

WINTER 2000-2001

Instructor: Dr. Gang Wang

Office: Byrne 562

Phone: (773) 325-1352

Office Hours: W 4:40 - 5:40 p.m., or by appointment

Prerequisite:

 
Univariate statistics (MAT 351-353/451-453). The first two chapters of the book provides a good review of these materials. I strongly suggest you reviewing them during the first week of the class. We will not go through them in class, but I will review them as needed when we use them in the later chapters.

Text book:

Introduction to Probability Models by Sheldon M. Ross.

Course Description:

This is an introductory class on stochastic processes. We will do a brief review on conditional probability and conditional expectation at the beginning of the class. Then we will study the first stochastic process of the class: Markov chain and its applications to real-world phenomena such as genetics and production processes. Next we will study a special counting process known as Poisson process. Relationship between Poisson process and exponential distribution will be discussed. After that, we will go back to Markov chains again but in continuous times setting. In particular, we will study birth and death models using time reversibility. Finally, we will discuss briefly a very important stochastic process known as Brownian motion. Application to option pricing model (Black-Scholes) will be presented.

Technology:

In addition to traditional personal and telephone contact during office hours, all students are encouraged to use the Internet and e-mail.
 
 
DePaul has many computer labs for students to get access to the Internet. Click here to get the location and hours of computer labs nearest to you. If you have computer at home, you may use DePaul Online to get Internet access from home with a very reasonable fee compared with commercial Internet providers. All the information above can be found in the class website.
 
In order for me to get the accurate account of your contact information, please provide your e-mail address and other information by filling the survey form on the class website. Do it by the end of the first week of the class.

Grading:

In general, if your total grade is between 90% to 100%, you will get A for the class; 80% to 89% is B; 70% to 79% is C; 65% to 69% is C-; 60% to 64% is D; and below 60% is F. Plus and minus grade will be also given.
 


Your total grade is based on the following:

(i) Nine homework assignments, 80 percent
(ii) Final exam, 20 percent

Homework:

Homework is assigned every week and are due before the end of the class one week after. Since a significant amount of the course grade are based on homework, prompt return of the homework assignment is essential. If your homework is due late, 25% reduction penalty applies for homework due late up to 24 hours; 50% reduction penalty applies for late due between 24 hours to 48 hours. No credit will be given for homework due later than 48 hours. There will be nine homework assignments.
 

If you have questions on the homework, please ask me during my office hour or ask me by e-mail.

Again, you are expected to do all the homework independently. Cheating (including copying homework from someone else) is strictly prohibited. Once found the work will be marked zero and may report to university as academic dishonesty which may lead to severe penalties. For details, check academic integrity section for details.

The precise homework assignment can be found in the homework assignment site. A tentative homework list can be found below.

Final:

The final will be on March 21, 2001, 5:45 to 8 PM, in class and but is close book. You may not bring your note book or textbook. In the final, you will be asked to work on problems simialr to your homework or exercises in the book. Thus, you may find past homework are useful. Review them before the final starts.

Late works:

Late work due to uncontrollable circumstance will be accepted only with a proof. Always discuss with me first. Doctor's note is needed if your excuse is for a medical reason.

Important Dates

The last day for withdraw from the class with 100% tuition refund is Friday,  January 19, 2001.
The last day to apply for pass/fail option is Friday, January 19, 2001.
The last day for withdraws from the class with grade "W" is Friday, February 23, 2001.

Homework is due every class meeting starting from the second class.

Final is on Monday, March 21, 2001, 5:45 to 8:00 p.m.

Academic Integrity

DePaul University is a learning community that fosters the pursuit of knowledge and the transmission of ideas within a context that emphasizes a sense of responsibility for oneself, for others and for society at large.
Violations of academic integrity, in any of their forms, are therefore detrimental to the values of DePaul, to the students' own development as responsible members of society and to the pursuit of knowledge and the transmission of ideas.
 
You are expected to do all the homework, online quizzes and exam independently. Violations of academic integrity (including copying work from someone else) is strictly prohibited. Violations of academic integrity include but are not limited to the following categories: cheating; plagiarism; fabrication; falsification or sabotage of research data; destruction or misuse of the university's academic resources; alteration or falsification of academic records; and academic misconduct. Once found the work will be marked zero and may report to university as academic dishonesty which may lead to severe penalties. Conduct that is punishable under the Academic Integrity Policy could result in additional disciplinary actions by other university officials and possible civil or criminal prosecution.
 
For more details regarding Code of Academic Integrity, please refer to your Student Handbook on Academic Integrity Policy for details.

Study Hard and Good Luck To Everyone!

 

Class schedule for MAT 455 and home work assignments


Review Chapter 1-2 for basic univariate statistics topics. We will not cover them in the class.

Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10