Probability Syllabus
MATH 451/551 - 01/02
Spring 2025
Section 1: TR:9:30-10:50 TR
Section 2: TR:12:30-1:50 TR
Instructor
Dr. Hunt
Jones 125
Office Hours:
Tues 2-3:30 PM
Weds 9-10AM, 2-3 PM
Thurs 2-3 PM
Grade Breakdown
| category | percentage |
|---|---|
| quiz problems | 15% |
| midterm 1 | 25% |
| midterm 2 | 25% |
| final | 35% |
Important Dates/Times
academic calendar link
| purpose | date/time |
|---|---|
| last day to add/drop | January 31 |
| Spring Break | March 8-16 |
| midterm 1 | Tuesday, Feb 25th (in class) |
| last day to withdraw | March 24 |
| midterm 2 | Tuesday, April 1st (in class) |
| final | Wednesday, May 7, 7-10PM |
Lectures
Lectures are Tuesdays and Thursdays. I will post a .pdf of the lectures from each class. Attendance is not required.
A helpful addition resource are Dr. Leemis’s 451 Lecture Videos corresponding to the suggested text book.
Text
Suggested text:
Leemis, L.M., Probability, Second Edition, 2018, Lightning Source.
More information on the book can be found on Dr. Leemis’ webpage (link) along with answers to selected exercises (link).
Office Hours
Office hours will be held in person in my office Jones 125 at the times posted above. Additionally, I am happy to meet by appointment, send me an email.
Weekly Quiz Problems (QPs)
Most weeks I will post a quiz problem (QP) that will be due the following week either Tues or Thurs at 11:59 PM EST. The quiz problem will be graded. In total, your grades on the quiz problems will account for 15% of your final grade. The lowest QP grade will be dropped. The QPs are intended to be completed alone so do not discuss them with your peers.
QPs will be submitted on Blackboard under the appropriate assignment. No late submissions will be accepted for QPs. If they are not submitted on blackboard by 11:59 a zero will be entered for the grade. By droppping the lowest grade, missing one won’t hurt your grade. If there are extenuating circumstances and you cannot submit the problem, please let me know in advance ASAP.
Suggested Problems (SPs), Book Problems (BPs), and Reading
To supplement lecture and the QPs, I will also post
- a PDF of suggested problems and solutions (on blackboard)
- problems from the suggested book, along with solutions (on blackboard)
- readings from the suggested book
Midterms
There will be two in-persons midterms during normal lecture times. They will be at the dates in the table above (in class). The midterms will account for 25% of the grade each.
Final
The final exam will be as scheduled by the registrar (see above). The exam will be comprehensive. It counts for 35% of the final grade.
Other
Mental and Physical Well Being
William & Mary recognizes that students have many different responsibilities and can face challenges that make learning difficult. There are many resources available at W&M to help students. Asking for help is a sign of courage and strength. Please reach out to me if you or someone you know are facing problems inside or outside the classroom, and I will do my best to guide you to appropriate resources on campus. Those resources include:
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For psychological/emotional stress, there is the W&M Counseling Center (757-221-362), 240 Gooch Dr. 2nd floor, (https://www.wm.edu/offices/wellness/counselingcenter/). Services are free and confidential.
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For physical/medical concerns, there is the W&M Health Center (757-221-4386), 240 Gooch Drive, https://www.wm.edu/offices/wellness/healthcenter/
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For other additional support or resources, please contact the Dean of Students by submitting a care report (757-221-2510) or by email at deanofstudents@wm.edu https://www.wm.edu/offices/deanofstudents/services/caresupportservices/index.php
Students Accessibility Services
William & Mary accommodates students with disabilities in accordance with federal laws and university policy. Any student who feels they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a learning, psychiatric, physical, or chronic health diagnosis should contact Student Accessibility Services staff at 757-221-2512 or at sas@wm.edu to determine if accommodations are warranted and to obtain an official letter of accommodation. http://www.wm.edu/sas
William & Mary Honor Code
The college has had an honor code since at least 1779. Academic integrity is at the heart of the university, and we all are responsible for upholding the ideals of honor and integrity.” Please remind yourself of your responsibilities by reading the Student Handbook www.wm.wdu/studenthandbook and our Honor Code (www.wm.edu/honor).
Class Recordings
Meetings of this course may be be recorded. In such a case, recordings will be available only to students registered for this class. This is intended to supplement the classroom experience. Students are expected to follow appropriate university policies and maintain the security of passwords used to access recorded lectures. Recordings may not be reproduced, shared with those not in the class, or uploaded to other online environments; violations may be subject to disciplinary action. If the instructor or a William & Mary office plans any other uses for the recordings, beyond this class, students identifiable in the recordings will be notified to request consent prior to such use.
Grading Scale
Letter grades are assigned using the following table:
| percentage | letter grade |
|---|---|
| >= 93 | A |
| >=90 and <93 | A- |
| >=87 and <90 | B+ |
| >=83 and <87 | B |
| >=80 and <83 | B- |
| >=77 and <80 | C+ |
| >=73 and <77 | C |
| >=70 and <73 | C- |
| >=67 and <70 | D+ |
| >=63 and <67 | D |
| >=60 and <63 | D- |
| < 60 | F |