Undergraduate courses in probability

431 - Introduction to the theory of probability

Math 431 is an introduction to probability theory, the part of mathematics that studies random phenomena. We model simple random experiments mathematically and learn techniques for studying these models. Topics covered include methods of counting (combinatorics), axioms of probability, random variables, the most important discrete and continuous probability distributions, expectations, moment generating functions, conditional probability and conditional expectations, multivariate distributions, Markov's and Chebyshev's inequalities, laws of large numbers, and the central limit theorem.

Probability theory is ubiquitous in natural science, social science and engineering, so this course can be valuable in conjunction with many different majors. 431 is not a course in statistics. Statistics is a discipline mainly concerned with analyzing and representing data. Probability theory forms the mathematical foundation of statistics, but the two disciplines are separate.

The course is offered every semester, including the summer.

Prerequisite: Math 234.

Who should take this class? A well rounded undergraduate experience in math should include some probability theory. Math 431 is our introductory probability class with no high level prerequisites.

531 - Probability theory

The course is a rigorous introduction to probability theory on an advanced undergraduate level. Only a minimal amount of measure theory is used (in particular, Lebesgue integrals will not be needed). The course gives an introduction to the basics (Kolmogorov axioms, conditional probability and independence, random variables, expectation) and discusses some of the classical results of probability theory with proofs (DeMoivre-Laplace limit theorems, the study of simple random walk on Z, applications of generating functions).

The course is offered every spring.

Prerequisite: a proof based analysis course (Math 376, Math 421 or Math 521).

Who should take this class? Students who would like to get a rigorous introduction to probability. It could also provide a stepping stone for our 600 level stochastic processes courses. (The course can be taken even after taking Math 431.)

632 - Introduction to stochastic processes

Math 632 gives an introduction to Markov chains and Markov processes with discrete state spaces and their applications. Particular models studied include birth-death chains, queuing models, random walks and branching processes. Selected topics from renewal theory, martingales, and Brownian motion are also included, but vary from semester to semester to meet the needs of different audiences.

Prerequisite: Intro to probability (Math 309, 431 or 531)+ a linear algebra or an intro to proofs class (320, 340, 341, 375, 421)

Who should take this class? Math 632 is the natural next step after an introductory probability course. It could be useful for an Option 1 math major interested in higher level probability and it is also a great fit for many of our Option 2 packages.

635 - Introduction to Brownian motion and stochastic calculus

Math 635 is an introduction to Brownian motion and stochastic calculus without a measure theory prerequisite. Topics touched upon include sample path properties of Brownian motion, Itô stochastic integrals, Itô's formula, stochastic differential equations and their solutions. As an application we will discuss the Black-Scholes formula of mathematical finance.

The course is offered every two years in the spring semester.

Prerequisite: Math 521 and Math 632

Who should take this class? Anybody with an interest in higher level probability. It is especially useful for those who are planning to study financial math on a graduate level.