Search Modules > TMA2103 > Module Overview

First Meeting

TopOur first meeting will be on 15 Aug, Wednesday from 1830 - 2000 hours at S16-05-98.

TopThis module teaches students some fundamental concepts of probability, such as how to calculate the probability A will happen given the knowledge that B has also happened, what random variables are and what it means for them to be dependent or independent of each other. Students will learn some common probability distributions, how to estimate properties of a population that is only partially sampled and how to evaluate hypotheses about that population, under the assumption that the characteristic being measured follows a Normal/Gaussian distribution.

Syllabus

TopBasic concepts of probability, conditional probability, independence, random variables, joint and marginal distributions, mean and variance, some common probability distributions, sampling distributions, estimation and hypothesis testing based on a normal population.

Lecturer

TopDr David Chew
Office: S16-06-108, Tel: 6516-5239
email: david.chew@nus.edu.sg

Please indicate the subject TMA2103 when you email me.

Teaching Modes

TopWe will adopt a ``blended learning`` model for our classes. The blended learning model employs a mixture of (1) on-line video lectures and (2) off-line "live" discussions to deliver course content, which is more effective than a fully "flipped-class" where course content are delivered solely via online videos.

Concerning Lectures
Most course contents will be delivered online via video lectures so students are expected to watch the video lectures before coming in for the "live" discussions/tutorial classes.

We gather on the following dates for "live" discussions/tutorial classes:
15 Aug, 29 Aug, 12 Sep, 03 Oct, 24 Oct, 07 Nov
We then meet on 14 Nov for a revision lecture to wrap up the course.

A word about PeerQuestions
Students may ask questions via the PeerQuestions system whenever we meet for "live" lectures. To do so, SMS your messages to the number 76767 in the format code message.
I will use the code TMA2103 throughout the semester. For example, to ask ``Why U So Like Dat?", simply SMS
TMA2103 Why U So Like Dat?
to the number 76767.

Alternatively, you may post your questions via
https://peerq.nus.edu.sg/post.aspx

Concerning Tutorials
We hope to give some time during tutorials for group discussions so we will divide each tutorial class into several discussion groups. After the group discussions, one student from each group will then be asked to present a summary of their discussions to the whole class.

Assessment

TopYour final grade for the course will depend on

tutorial participation (5%)
in-class work (5%)
FIVE online quizzes (10%)
ONE 1-hour mid-semester examination (20%)
--- multiple choice questions and short questions, on 10 Oct 2018, Wednesday from 1900-2000hrs.
ONE 2-hour final examination (60%)
--- open ended questions, on 28 Nov 2018, Wednesday from 0900-1100hrs.

Both the mid-semester and final examinations are closed book but students will be allowed to bring along ONE A4 size help-sheet.

You will note the low weightage given to the online quizzes and tutorial participation components. This is deliberate as the purposes of these components are to encourage you

to keep up with the lecture progress (online quizzes), and
to be enagaged in discussions during classes (tutorial participation).

Getting Help

Top

Ask your fellow students on the IVLE forum.
E-mail me your question with the subject [TMA2103].
The replies might be published on the IVLE module FAQ so that everyone can read them.
Ask me questions during lecture breaks or at the end of lectures.
Make an appointment to meet me.
Finally, one important study tip from Sir Ian McKellen ---
https://youtu.be/YZf0Q-v3u-k

Readings

Top

	Readings
Chapter 1	[Utts] 1.1 - 1.3
Chapter 2	[Utts] 5.1, 5.3 - 5.5, [De Veaux] 1.2-1.3
Chapter 3	[Utts] 2.1 - 2.5, [De Veaux] 2.1 - 2.2, 3.1 - 3.7
Chapter 4	[Utts] 7.1 - 7.5, [De Veaux] 13.1 - 13.3, 14.1 - 14.5
Chapter 5	[Utts] 8.1 - 8.4, [De Veaux] 15.1 - 15.2, 16.1 - 16.6
Chapter 6	[Utts] 8.5 - 8.8, [De Veaux] 15.3 - 15.4, 16.7
Chapter 7	[Freund] 5.10
Chapter 8	[Utts] 9.1 - 9.3, 9.6, 9.9 - 9.10, [De Veaux] 17.1 - 17.5
Chapter 9	[Utts] 10.1, 10.4, 11.1 - 11.2, 11.5, 12.1, 13.1 - 13.2, 13.5 [De Veaux] 20.1 - 20.5, 21.1 - 21.4
Chapter 10	[Utts] 11.4, 13.3 - 13.4 [De Veaux] 22.4 - 22.7, 23.1 - 23.3

[Utts] Mind on Statistics by Jessica M. Utts, Robert F. Heckard
[De Veaux] Stats: Data and Models by Richard D. Dex Veaux, Paul F. Velleman, David E. Bock
[Freund] Miller and Freund's Probability and Statistics for Engineers by Richard Johnson, John Freund, Irwin Miller