Mon, Tue 14:30-16:30 in my office/via Zoom, or by appointment. Before the final exam, additional office hours will be announced.
Emanuel Parzen, Stochastic Processes (2015). You might also find useful my Lecture Notes: [PDF] (not accessible) or accessible R Markdown versions: [Part 1: Sections 1-10 Probability Theory] [Part 2: Sections 11-20 Stochastic Processes] [Part 3: Simulations]
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
Discrete and continuous time stochastic processes with applications to physics, biology, actuarial science, and quantitative finance. Topics include: discrete- and continuous-time Markov chains, random walk, simple autoregression, branching processes, Poisson process, birth-and-death processes, renewal processes, Brownian motion and stochastic calculus. We will use R for simple simulation problems: Professor Paul Hurtado's R resources.
There are 13 homework assignments due on Tuesdays 23:00, starting from September 1. Each includes theory and coding. Submission is online, via Web Campus. For theoretical problems, you can scan or take a photo of your work and upload it on Web Campus. Alternatively, you can type it in Word or LaTeX. For coding problems, you can submit the code and output (graphs or numbers). Each homework will be posted to Web Campus at least a week in advance, and graded by a homework grader inside Web Campus. In addition, there is an Extra Credit assignment due Tuesday after Thanksgiving, December 1, 23:00.
There are no midterms. There is an (optional) final take-home 24-hour exam, you can take it if you are not satisfied with your class grade before the final. You can use any books, lecture notes, or online content, but not contact any other people, except me. There are 10 problems, similar to homework assignments. Practice exams and additional office hours will be available.
You are allowed to drop the lowest homework. Each homework is worth 6.5%, extra credit is worth 7%, and the final exam is worth 22%. This class is not a competitive environment. I wish every one of you succeeds. Therefore, your grade depends on your own total score, calculated as above. As an example, getting your total score above 90% guarantees you an A, regardless of what the rest of the class did. Relative comparison of students, the curve will be used to push grades up, not down.
For religious holidays, exceptional family events, participation in University-sponsored activities, scientific conferences, athletic, or other similar events, arrangements must be made at least 3 days in advance. You will be required to provide documentation for your absence. Then we can arrange for the make-up exam or homework deadline extension.
If you are applying to Master, PhD, or other graduate programs, and if you got an A or A- in this class, I can write you a recommendation letter. I can also proofread your statement and CV. Please send me your photo, CV, statement, and a list of schools your are applying to, together with exact names of programs, and application deadlines. If you wish to get recommendation letter for a non-academic job, it is enough to get a C or above.
Please do not hesitate to speak with the professor directly. If this did not resolve the issue, please speak to the Department Chair Tin Yau Tam or Undergraduate Advisors.
Your student fees cover usage of the University Math Center (775) 784-4433, University Tutoring Center (775) 784-6801, University Writing Center (775) 784-6030. These centers support your classroom learning; it is your responsibility to take advantage of their services. Keep in mind that seeking help outside of class is the sign of a responsible and successful student. Online services are also available.
You are expected to do your own work. Any violation of University policy on academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Cases involving academic dishonesty will be handled according to the procedures outlined in University of Nevada Reno policies. Violations of the University academic code include, but are not limited to possession of, or use of unauthorized materials during tests; providing information to another student; copying the work of another person without correct citation etc. Violations may result in academic penalties, including receiving an F in this course. The university may also impose other penalties including suspension or dismissal. There will be ZERO Tolerance for Cheating and Plagiarism. For more details on violations please visit website: Academic Standards
A student with a disability that qualifies for accommodations should contact Disability Resource Center: Thompson Bldg., Suite 101, call: 775-784-6000, email: maryac [_a_t_] unr [_dot_] edu A student wishing to receive test accommodations (e.g., extended test time) should provide the instructor with an official Accommodation Form from Disability Resource Center within the first week of class. This class may use outside content. If you have trouble with its accessibility please contact me.
Surreptitious or covert video-taping of class or unauthorized audio recording of class is prohibited by law and by Board of Regents policy. This class may be videotaped or audio recorded only with the written permission of the instructor. In order to accommodate students with disabilities, some students may be given permission to record class lectures and discussions. Therefore, students should understand that their comments during class may be recorded.
The University of Nevada, Reno is committed to providing a safe learning and work environment for all. If you believe you have experienced discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic/dating violence, or stalking, whether on or off campus, or need information related to immigration concerns, please contact the University's Equal Opportunity and Title IX office at 775-784-1547. Resources and interim measures are available to assist you. For more information, please visit: Equal Opportunity and Title IX. Please, remember as a Responsible Employee, all course instructors are required to report all incidents of sexual violence to the University Equal Opportunity and Titile IX office. During online discussions, please be polite and respectful.