15-359: Probability and Computing, Fall 2007
 
 
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Meetings:
    Lecture: Tuesday and Thursday, 10:30am - 11:50am, Wean 5403
    Recitation A: Friday, 10:30am - 11:20am, Wean 5403
    Recitation B: Friday, 11:30am - 12:20am, Wean 5310

Instructors:
    Prof. Mor Harchol-Balter, Wean 8119. Office hours: Wednesday 1-2, or drop by.
    Prof. Ryan O'Donnell, Wean 7121. Office hours: Tuesday 12-1, or by appointment.

Teaching Assistants:
    Jonah Sherman. Office hours: Monday 6-7, Wean 8th floor couches.
    Runting Shi. Office hours: Tuesday 3:30-4:30, Wean 5123.

Text and Notes:
    Our text: Introduction to Probability, Dimitri P. Bertsekas and John N. Tsitsiklis
        (published 2002 by Athena Scientific, available at the CMU bookstore)
    You may also find useful:
        The book Probability and Computing, Michael Mitzenmacher and Eli Upfal.
        MIT lecture notes (11/21/05-12/14/05, 11/14/05-12/12/06).

Prerequisites:
    15-251, as well as familiarity with basic calculus and linear algebra.

Course Overview:
    Probability theory has become indispensable in computer science. In areas such as artificial intelligence and computer science theory, probabilistic methods and ideas based on randomization are central. In other areas such as networks and systems, probability is becoming an increasingly useful framework for handling uncertainty and modeling the patterns of data that occur in complex systems. This course gives an introduction to probability as it is used in computer science theory and practice, drawing on applications and current research developments as motivation and context. 


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