PREREQUISITES

15-259 assumes NO PRIOR PROBABILITY/STATS classes, and will satisfy the probability and statistics requirement for Computer Science and AI Majors in SCS.

The course DOES assume knowledge of calculus (e.g., single and double integrals, differentiation, Taylor-series expansions, integration by parts, changing the order of double integrals and double sums), discrete mathematics (e.g., sequences, combinatorics/counting, asymptotic notation), and proof writing. CMU courses that satisfy the prerequisites are listed below:

Multivariable Calculus: 21-268 or 21-266 or 21-259 or 16-211
Discrete Mathematics: 21-128 or 21-228 or 21-127 or 15-251 or 15-151

We also strongly recommend 15-251 or 21-228 since both classes teach you how to formalize questions in mathematical terms, how to do proofs, and how to tackle problems where the solutions are not straightforward.

Homework 1 is a Prerequisite Review. You should go through Chapter 1 of the textbook in detail. You will use every part of this chapter in the class, and we will repeatedly test you on the material in Chapter 1. Expect at least one quiz on Chapter 1. Homework 1 will also be devoted to Chapter 1 material.

There will be an optional REVIEW SESSION on Chapter 1, on Tuesday, Jan 13th, starting at 7:00 p.m. in Room GHC 8102. This will be run by Rohan Jain. There will be cookies!