30.003 Introduction to Probability and Statistics

No. of Credits: 12 Subject Credits

Pre-requisites:


Goal

The aim of this course is to introduce concepts of Probability and Statistics.

Learning Objectives

  • Apply key concepts of probability, including discrete and continuous random variables, probability distributions, conditioning, independence, expectations, and moments
  • Define and explain the different statistical distributions (e.g., normal, log-normal, Poisson) and the typical phenomena that each distribution often describes
  • Apply the basic rules and theorems in probability including Bayes’s theorem and the Central Limit Theorem (CLT)
  • Define and demonstrate the concepts of estimation and properties of estimators
  • Apply the concepts of interval estimation and confidence intervals
  • Apply the concepts of hypothesis testing and p-value
  • Apply the method of least squares to estimate the parameters in a regression model
  • Use software to facilitate statistical analysis

Measurable Outcomes

  • Evaluate the probabilities and conditional probabilities
  • Evaluate expectations and conditional expectations of random variables
  • Approximate the distribution of sum of random variables using CLT
  • Construct point estimators using the method of maximum likelihood
  • Calculate the number of samples needed to construct confidence levels on the mean and variance of a normal distribution
  • Design hypothesis tests for a given set of data and select the appropriate thresholds for the tests
  • Use linear regression analysis to develop an empirical model of experimental data.
  • Apply computer programs to facilitate the analysis of data.

Pedagogy

  • Cohort based lecture
  • Hands-on projects

Text & References

Grading

  • Class participation: 5%
  • Homework: 25%
  • Project: 10%
  • Mid-term exam: 30%
  • Final exam: 30%

Policies

Homework is assigned on every week and is due in the 1st class of the following week.

Course Notes

This set of course notes was graciously shared by Wei Min Cher , updated as of 05 January 2020.

Follow him on GitHub and give him your messages of appreciation!

Download Course Notes

Download Midterms Revision Guide

Download Finals Revision Guide

View Source Code