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Syllabus Probability for CS students - 52006
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Last update 08-05-2024
HU Credits: 4

Degree/Cycle: 1st degree (Bachelor)

Responsible Department: Statistics

Semester: 2nd Semester

Teaching Languages: Hebrew

Campus: E. Safra

Course/Module Coordinator: Dr. Asaf Weinstein
Mr. Gavriel Honig

Coordinator Email: asaf.weinstein@mail.huji.ac.il

Coordinator Office Hours:

Teaching Staff:
Dr. Asaf Weinstein,
Mr. Niv Brosh

Course/Module description:
The course enhances the basic knowledge acquired in the course “Introduction to Probability and Statistics” (80430). Topics presented in the introductory course will be developed and generalized, and new topics will be presented, while using a more advanced level of mathematical formalism

Course/Module aims:
To enhance the knowledge in probability theory as part of building the statistician’s toolbox. To strengthen the mathematical ability in handling problems in probability

Learning outcomes - On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Recall the definitions given in the course and quote them. 2. Solve basic problems in probability and carry out theoretical calculations. 3. Implement the theorems and results, and give at least one example to demonstrate each of those. 4. Use the results taught in class to derive simple conclusions

Attendance requirements(%):
No attendance requirement

Teaching arrangement and method of instruction: Lectures and TA sessions

Course/Module Content:
1. Introduction and probability spaces
2. Random variables
2.1 Cumulative distribution function. Discrete and continuous random variables
2.2 Expectation
2.3 Moment generating function
2.4 Basic inequalities: Markov, Chebyshev, Jensen, Lyapunov
2.5 Sampling from a distribution with a random number generator
3. Random vectors
3.1 Joint distribution of a random vector
3.2 Expectation of random vectors and matrices. Covariance matrix
3.3 Moment generating function of a random vector
3.4 Independence and linear independence. The correlation coefficient. The Cauchy-Schwarz inequality. Best linear prediction
4. Conditioning
4.1 Conditional distributions
4.2 Conditional expectation of a r.v. and best prediction. Conditional variance of a r.v.
4.3 Law of total expectation. Law of total variance
4.4 Extensions to the multivariate case
5. Transformations
5.1 Density of a function of a continuous random variable
5.2 Density of a function of a continuous random vector
5.3 Density of functions of independent random variables. Sum of independent random variables. Distribution of order statistics
6. The multivariate normal distribution.
6.1 Definition, properties, conditional distributions
6.2 Related distributions (Chi-square distribution; t distribution; F distribution), distribution of normal quadratic form
7. Convergence of sequences of random variables
7.1 Types of convergence of random sequences. Convergence in distribution. Convergence in . Convergence in probability. Convergence with probability one (almost surely).
7.2 Limit theorems
7.2.1 The law of large numbers and the central limit theorem
7.2.2 The strong law of large numbers

Required Reading:
Course notes

Additional Reading Material:
1. Introduction to Probability, second edition, by Bertsekas and Tsitsiklis

2. A first course in statistics, 8th edition, by Sheldon Ross

Grading Scheme :
Written / Oral / Practical Exam 70 %
Submission assignments during the semester: Exercises / Essays / Audits / Reports / Forum / Simulation / others 10 %
Mid-terms exams 20 %

Additional information:
*Passing the final exam is a requirement for passing course*

There will be one midterm, making 20% of the final grade, Magen but mandatory. Weekly homework assignments will be given, to be handed-in and graded pass/fail. Homework assignments make 10% of final grade, calculated as
min(N-1, X)/(N-1)*100
where N&eq;total number of assignments, X&eq;number of submitted assignments marked “pass”
 
Students needing academic accommodations based on a disability should contact the Center for Diagnosis and Support of Students with Learning Disabilities, or the Office for Students with Disabilities, as early as possible, to discuss and coordinate accommodations, based on relevant documentation.
For further information, please visit the site of the Dean of Students Office.
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