APP MTH 4101 - Applied Probability - Honours
North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2022
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code APP MTH 4101 Course Applied Probability - Honours Coordinating Unit Mathematical Sciences Term Semester 1 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 3 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Prerequisites (MATHS 1012 or MATHS 2103) or (MATHS 2201 and MATHS 2202) or (MATHS 2106 and MATHS 2107) Assumed Knowledge Knowledge of Markov Chains such as would be obtained from MATHS 2103 Restrictions Honours students only Assessment Ongoing assessment, Exam Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Jasper Barr
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
- demonstrate understanding of the mathematical basis of discrete-time Markov chains and martingales
- demonstrate the ability to formulate discrete-time Markov chain models for relevant practical systems
- demonstrate the ability to apply the theory developed in the course to problems of an appropriate level of difficulty
- demonstrate the ability to conduct a group project applying the theory developed in this course
- develop an appreciation of the role of applied probability in mathematical modelling
- demonstrate skills in communicating mathematics orally and in writing
University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1,2,3,4 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
1,2,3,4 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
4,5,6 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
3,4,5,6 Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency
Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.
4,6 Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.
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Learning Resources
Required Resources
None.Recommended Resources
There are many good books on probability and statistics in the Barr Smith Library, with the following texts being recommended for this course.
1. "Probability and Random Processes" (Oxford, 2001).
2. "Introduction to Probability Models" by Sheldon Ross (Academic Press, 2010).
3. "An introduction to Stochastic Modelling" by Taylor and Karlin (Academic Press, 1998).
4. "A First Course in Stochastic Processes" by Karlin and Taylor (Academic Press, 1975).
5. "Elementary Probability Theory with Stochastic Processes" by Kai Lai Chung (Springer-Verlag, 1975).
6. "An Introduction to Probability Theory and its Applications" by Feller (Wiley, 1968).
7. "Introduction to Stochastic Models" by Roe Goodman (2nd edition, Dover, 2006).
8. "Markov chains" by James Norris (Cambridge, 1997).
For other texts on probability and statistics, try browsing books with call numbers beginning with 519.2.Online Learning
This course uses MyUni exclusively for providing electronic resources, such as notes, videos, quizzes, assignments and solutions et cetera. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
Each week, lecture notes will be provided, designed to be read in advance of viewing videos. Videos will consist of the lecturer explaining key material and examples from the lecture notes.
The videos will be supported by two weekly classes, a tutorial and a workshop. In the workshop the lecturer will guide you through the week’s material, incorporating active learning exercises, whilst the tutorial is focused on practicing problems to reinforce this learning.
Five written assignments, five online quizzes and a mid-semester test provide the assessment opportunities for students to strengthen their understanding of the theory and their skills in applying it, and gauge and demonstrate their progress and understanding.
The group project allows students to develop their teamwork and communication skills, and apply their knowledge to a challenging problem in a practical environment.
Level IV and VII Students are offered an additional discussion class with the lecturer each week.
Interaction with the lecturer is encouraged during contact hours.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
Activity Quantity Workload hours Weekly online materials 12 weeks 68 Tutorials 12 24 Workshops 12 12 Mid-semester test 1 1 Online quizzes 5 5 Assignments 5 20 Group project 1 25 Total 155 Learning Activities Summary
Topics Schedule Week 1 Basic probability theory Sample space and events. Laws of large numbers and the central limit theorem and their interpretation. Week 2 Basic probability theory. Algebras and sigma-algebras of events and probability measure. Week 3 Discrete time Markov chains Definition of a discrete time Markov chain (DTMC). Random walks. Week 4 Discrete time Markov chains Hitting probabilities and hitting times. Classification of states. Week 5 Discrete time Markov chains Recurrence and transience. Week 6 Discrete time Markov chains Irreducible DTMCs. Branching processes. Periodicity. Week 7 Discrete time Markov chains Limiting behaviour. Long term behaviour and global balance. Week 8 Discrete time Markov chains. Partial balance. Time reversal and reversibility. Week 9 Martingales Definition of a martingale. Fair games, branching processes and random walks. Week 10 Martingales Stopping times and optional stopping theorem. Dominated martingales and Optional stopping times. Week 11 Martingales Two dimensional random walks. Identifying martingales. Week 12 Martingales and Brownian motion Sub-martingales, super-martingales and construction of martingales. Motivation and definition of Brownian motion with examples. Review.
Tutorials will cover the content of the previous week, while the first tutorial in Week 1 will focus on revision. -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Assessment task When due Weighting Learning outcomes Examination Examination period 35% All Assignments Weeks 2, 4, 6, 10 and 12 20% All Group project Week 10 20% All Mid-semester test Week 8 15% All Quizzes Weeks 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 10% All
Assessment Related Requirements
An aggregate score of 50% is required in order to pass this course.Assessment Detail
Assessment task Set Due Weighting Assignment 1 Week 1 Week 2 4% Quiz 1 Week 3 Week 3 2% Assignment 2 Week 3 Week 4 4% Quiz 2 Week 5 Week 5 2% Assignment 3 Week 5 Week 6 4% Quiz 3 Week 7 Week 7 2% Mid-semester test Week 8 Week 8 15% Quiz 4 Week 9 Week 9 2% Assignment 4 Week 9 Week 10 4% Group project Week 2 Week 10 20% Quiz 5 Week 11 Week 11 2% Assignment 5 Week 11 Week 12 4% Exam Exam period 35%
Note: Level IV and VII Students will have additional and/or alternate questions to Level III Students on the Mid-semester test and Exam..Submission
Assignments must be submitted on time and online via MyUni. Late assignments will not be accepted. Students may be excused from an assignment for medical or compassionate reasons. In such cases, documentation is required and the lecturer must be notified as soon as possible.
The final written project report must be submitted on time and online via MyUni. You must also submit a PDF version of the report and all source code via email to the lecturer. Late project reports will not be accepted.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M11 (Honours Mark Scheme) Grade Grade reflects following criteria for allocation of grade Reported on Official Transcript Fail A mark between 1-49 F Third Class A mark between 50-59 3 Second Class Div B A mark between 60-69 2B Second Class Div A A mark between 70-79 2A First Class A mark between 80-100 1 Result Pending An interim result RP Continuing Continuing CN Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
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- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
- YouX Student Care - Advocacy, confidential counselling, welfare support and advice
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
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- Elder Conservatorium of Music Noise Management Plan
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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