Description of Course

This course provides a rigorous yet accessible introduction to the fundamental concepts of probability and statistics, equipping students with the tools to analyze and interpret data and to reason about uncertainty. Topics include probability rules and counting methods, discrete and continuous random variables, expectation and variance, sampling distributions, and the Central Limit Theorem. Statistical topics cover descriptive statistics, estimation, confidence intervals, correlation, and hypothesis testing. Throughout the course, students will apply theory to real-world problems using analytical methods and computational tools. By the end of the term, students will be able to design basic experiments, interpret data responsibly, and make informed decisions based on probabilistic reasoning.

Textbooks

The following textbook will be used for reading assignments:

Walpole et al. “Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists, 9th Ed.” Pearson. 2011

Course Management

D2L: https://d2l.arizona.edu/d2l/home/1719690
Piazza: https://piazza.com/arizona/spring2026/csc196
Gradescope Entry Code: KND5X7

Instructor and Contact Information:

Instructor: Jason Pacheco, Gould-Simpson 707
Instructor: Cesim Erten, Gould-Simpson 845
Teaching Assistants: Yinan Li and Alonso Granados Baca

Date Topic Readings Assignment
1/14 Introduction + Course Overview  (slides) Chapter 1
1/19 MLK Jr. Day - No Classes  
1/21 Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis HW1 Due 1/28
1/26 Probability Chapter 2
1/28 Probability HW2 Due 2/04
2/02 Random Variables and Probability Distributions Chapter 3
2/04 Random Variables and Probability Distributions HW3 Due 2/11
2/09 Mathematical Expectation Chapter 4
2/11 Mathematical Expectation HW4 Due 2/18
2/16 Some Discrete Probability Distributions Chapter 5
2/18 Some Discrete Probability Distributions  
2/23 Midterm 1  
2/25    
3/02    
3/04    
3/09 Spring Break - No Classes  
3/11 Spring Break - No Classes  
3/16    
3/18    
3/23    
3/25    
3/30    
4/01    
4/06    
4/08    
4/13    
4/15    
4/20    
4/22    
4/27    
4/29    
5/04    
5/06    
5/13 Course Wrapup  

© Jason Pacheco, 2026