Course Information for Stat 8101
Theory of Statistics I
Fall Semester, 2009
Lectures: 01:25pm - 02:15pm MW; 12:35pm-2:15pm F
Room: Ford Hall 115, TCEASTBANK


Instructor: Tiefeng Jiang.

E-mail: tjiang@stat.umn.edu.

Phone: 612-624-3850.

Office Hours: 3:30pm-4:30pm, Mon. and Wed. at Ford Hall 365.
TA: Shanshan Ding

E-mail: dingx056@stat.umn.edu.

Office Hours: 2:20pm-3:20pm and 4:40pm-5.40pm Thurs. at Ford Hall 352.
Credits: 4

Prerequisite: Calculus and Linear Algebra. Also a one year theoretical statistical course at 5101 level. These prerequisites should be taken seriously since it is assumed that you know and can apply the basic methods and theorems in these courses.

The purpose of 8101 is to introduce some basic concepts of probability and probability models which are of use in statistics, and then to use these concepts to study statistical inference (testing and estimation). The probability topics include univariate and multivariate distributions, independence and dependence, exponential families, plus a wide variety of examples of statistical interest.

Textbook:

Casella, G. and Berger, R. (2001). Statistical Inference (2nd Ed). Duxbury Press.

Das Gupta, A. (2008). Asymptotic Theory of Statistics and Probability. Springer (1st Ed).

Homework Assignments:

 Homework will count 30% of your course grade. There is a 20% penalty per day for late homework - unless you provide a written medical excuse for not handling in homework on time.
Grading Policies:

Exams: There will be one midterm and a final in this course. These will be closed book but you will be allowed one sheet of paper (8.5 in x 11 in) on which you can write anything you like.

Grading: Your final grade will be determined by a weighted average of homework and examination scores: the homework weights 30%, the midterm counts 30% and the final is 40%.

Missing Exams: If you miss a midterm for a legitimately documented reason, such as illness confirmed with a written excuse, the midterm score will be replaced by your final score. If you can not attend the final for a legitimately verifiable reason, you must provide a written excuse to receive an incomplete. See the School of Statistics policy on incompletes below. Otherwise, if you miss the final, you will receive a zero for the exam. Note that social/vacation plans are not legitimate reasons for missing an exam.

Incompletes: According to U of M grading policies, ``The I shall be assigned at the direction of the instructor when, due to extraordinary circumstances, the student was prevented from completing the work of the course on time. The assignment of an I requires a written agreement between the instructor and student specifying the time and manner in which the student will complete the course requirements during the student's next period of enrollment.'' In this course an I grade will be given only in cases of extreme hardship. Poor performance in the course is not grounds for an incomplete.

Examination Dates:

  • Midterm: 12:35am-2:15pm Fri, 10/16 in class, same location as usual.

  • Final Exam: 1:30pm-3:30pm Fri, 12/18 in class, same location as usual.