625.240.81 - Introduction to Probability and Statistics

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into modules which can be accessed by clicking Course Modules on the course menu. A module will have several sections including the overview, video lectures and content, readings, discussions, and assignments. You are encouraged to preview all sections of the module before starting. Most modules run for a period of seven (7) days, exceptions are noted in the Course Outline. You should regularly check the Calendar and Announcements for assignment due dates.

Course Topics

• Descriptive Statistics
• Probability
• Discrete Random Variables
• Continuous Random Variables
• Joint Probability Distributions
• Point Estimation
• Statistical Intervals
• Hypothesis Testing
• Inference
• Analysis of Variance
• Multi-Factor Analysis of Variance
• Linear Regression
• Nonlinear and Multiple Regression
• Categorical Data Analysis

Course Goals

To equip students with the basic fundamentals of statistical reasoning, probability, random variables, and statistical estimation necessary to excel in engineering and computer science related disciplines

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Apply the axioms, theorems, and basic properties of probability to quantify the likelihood of events.
• Use discrete and continuous random variables to model phenomena and answer basic probability questions.
• Produce and interpret graphical displays and numerical summaries of data.
• Understand and use basic ideas of statistical inference (hypothesis tests and confidence intervals) in a variety of settings.
• Employ linear regression models in the context of statistical analysis; interpret and draw conclusions from the standard output of statistical software packages.
• Communicate results of statistical analyses to general audiences.
• Apply probability and statistics concepts to a variety of engineering and computer science topics.

Textbooks

Devore, J. (2012) Probability and Statistics for Engineering and the Sciences, Eighth Edition. Boston, MA: Cengage.
ISBN-10: 0-538-73352-7
ISBN-13: 978-0-538-73352-6

Required Software

Webcam, microphone (if provided with computer, this is usually adequate along with adequate lighting and no background sound interference).

Student Coursework Requirements

It is expected that each module will take approximately 7–10 hours per week to complete. Here is an approximate breakdown: reading the assigned sections of the texts (approximately 2–3 hours per week) as well as some outside reading, listening to the audio annotated slide presentations (approximately 3–4 hours per week), and problem set assignments (approximately 2–3 hours per week).

A grade of “A” indicates achievement of consistent excellence and distinction throughout the course—that is, conspicuous excellence in all aspects of assignments and discussion in every week. A grade of “B” indicates work that meets all course requirements on a level appropriate for undergraduate academic work. These criteria apply to both provisional and graduate students taking the course.

Final grades will be determined by the following weighting:

• 60% Assignments (Drop lowest grade)
• 20% Midterm Exam
• 20% Final Exam

Assignments (60% of Final Grade Calculation)

Weekly problem sets (formative assessment) are graded weekly. Students are encouraged to collaborate on these problems in a public discussion board space. Instructor monitors and provides guidance as necessary. In addition, instructor is available via email or weekly synchronous office hours.  The lowest grade will be dropped.

All assignments are due according to the dates in the Calendar.

Late submissions will be reduced by one letter grade for each week late (no exceptions without prior coordination with the instructors).

Exams (40% of Final Grade Calculation, 20% for Midterm and 20% for Final)

The midterm exam will be available in Module 6 and the final exam will be available in the last Module. You will have one week to complete the exams and they will be due by 11:59PM on the last day of the module from which it was released. You may use the course text to complete the exams.

The exams are evaluated by the following grading elements:

1. Each part of question is answered (20%)
2. Writing quality and technical accuracy (30%) (Writing is expected to meet or exceed accepted graduate-level English and scholarship standards. We generally do not directly grade spelling and grammar. However, egregious violations of the rules of the English language will be noted without comment. Consistently poor performance in either spelling or grammar is taken as an indication of poor written communication ability that may detract from your grade.)
3. Rationale for answer is provided (20%)
4. Examples are included to illustrate rationale (15%) (If a student does not have direct experience related to a particular question, then the student is to provide analogies versus examples.)
5. Outside references are included (15%)

Exams are graded as follows:

• 100–90 = A—All parts of question are addressed; [rich in content; full of thought, insight, and analysis].
• 89–80 = B—All parts of the question are addressed; [substantial information; thought, insight, and analysis has taken place].
• 79–70 = C—Majority of parts of the question are addressed; [generally competent; information is thin and commonplace].
• <70 = F—Some parts of the question are addressed; [rudimentary and superficial; no analysis or insight displayed].

Grading Policy

Assignments are due according to the dates posted in the Blackboard course site. Students may check these due dates in the Course Calendar or the Assignments in the corresponding modules. Grades will post no later than one week after assignment due dates. A grade of A indicates achievement of consistent excellence and distinction throughout the course—that is, conspicuous excellence in all aspects of assignments and discussion in every week. A grade of B indicates work that meets all course requirements on a level appropriate for graduate academic work. These criteria apply to both undergraduates and graduate students taking the course.

The following grades are used for this course: A+, A, A– (excellent), B+, B, B– (good), C (unsatisfactory), F (failure), I (incomplete). A grade of F indicates the student’s failure to complete or comprehend the course work.

A course for which an unsatisfactory grade (C or F) has been received may be retaken. The original grade is replaced with an R. If the failed course includes laboratory, both the lecture and laboratory work must be retaken unless the instructor indicates otherwise. A grade of W is issued to those who have dropped the course after the refund period but before the drop deadline. The transcript is part of the student’s permanent record at the university. No grade may be changed except to correct an error, to replace an incomplete with a grade, or to replace a grade with an R.

The Whiting School assumes that students possess acceptable written command of the English language. It is proper for faculty to consider writing quality when assigning grades.

For incomplete grades, please see the Graduate Programs catalogue for the Whiting School of Engineering.

The course grading scale is the following:

100–98 = A+

97–94 = A

93–90 = A−

89–87 = B+

86–83 = B

82–80 = B−

79–70 = C

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.