TOPFAITH UNIVERSITY, MKPATAK

FACULTY OF COMPUTING AND APPLIED SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS

COURSE OUTLINE
Course Title: Probability I
Course Code: STA 112
Lecture Days: Thursday and Friday
Duration of Lecture: Four hours
Lecture Venue: E2

Instructor: Uwem Prospero Akai

Office: 3.2.32
Email: up.akai@topfaith.edu.ng
Phone: +234 803 911 6110
Office Hours: Wednesday 12p.m. – 1p.m.

Course Description: This course is intended as an elementary introduction to the core concepts
of probability and statistics. Students will explore permutations, combinations, and probability
principles, gaining a solid understanding of random variables and distribution functions. Key
probability distributions, including the binomial, geometric, Poisson, and normal distributions, are
studied, along with the significance of sampling distributions. The course will also equip students
with essential data analysis techniques, fostering the skills required to extract valuable insights
from datasets. By the course's conclusion, students will have developed a robust mathematical and
statistical foundation, enabling them to make informed decisions, solve real-world problems, and
prepare for more advanced studies in mathematics, statistics, or related fields.

Course Objectives: The objectives of the course are to:

1. develop a grasp of combinatorial principles, including permutations and combinations, and
apply these concepts to various problem-solving scenarios.
2. recognise the fundamental principles of probability, including probability rules, axioms,
and interpretations, and be proficient in calculating probabilities for simple events.
3. explore probability distribution functions, binomial, geometric, Poisson, and normal
distributions.
Course Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the course students should be able to:
 solve problems involving permutation and combination
 explain the concept of random variables and relate it to probability and distribution
functions
 solve problems on the basic distributions
 explain the concept of exploratory data analysis.

Linkage of Course to University’s Vision and Mission

Topfaith University's vision statement of "attaining excellence in quality education, character, and
enterprise" will be achieved by offering this course as it will provide students with a strong
foundation in mathematics. The university's mission statement of "diligently imparting knowledge,
wisdom, skills, and character to enhance learning without borders" also aligns with the course. The
course's contents emphasize the development of knowledge, wisdom, and skills in mathematical
analysis and problem-solving, while also fostering character by promoting critical thinking,
perseverance, and attention to detail as probability is a fundamental tool for decision-making. It
will help to enhance learning without borders by providing students with the tools they need to
apply their knowledge to a wide range of interdisciplinary fields.

Overall, this course is closely linked to Topfaith’s University's vision and mission statements by
providing high-quality education and fostering the development of knowledge, skills, and
character.

Course Requirements:
Students are required to submit assignment, take a mid-semester test and final examination. The
format for the mid-semester exam will be five theory questions to answer all. The end of semester
exam will be five theory questions to answer three. A presentation is also a requirement.

University Attendance Policy:

Students are expected to attend all the class sessions regularly as stipulated in the time-table.
Students must attend classes regularly and on time. An attendance is generated and students are
expected to sign the register every week of the class schedule. A student who has a good reason to
be absent from class must obtain permission from the lecturer before the lecture day. It must be
noted that as per the University’s Rule and Regulation, a student is expected to attend 75% of
lectures to be eligible to take the final examination on the course.

Assignments/Exam Due Dates:

Mid-semester Test: November 30th, 2023
Assignment: November 30th, 2023
Class Presentation: December 7th, 2023
Final Examination: January 27th, 2024
Grade Distribution:
Mid-Semester Test: 10%
Final Examination: 70%
Assignment: 10%
Class Presentation: 5%
Attendance/Participation: 5%

Grading Scale:
70 – 100 A
60 – 69 B
50 – 59 C
45 – 49 D
40 – 44 E
0 – 39 F

Class Participation:
Class participation entails active involvement in the class during lectures through asking and
answering questions, critically engaging with topics, and commenting/raising issues for
discussion. Students are expected to read in advance all postings on the course.

Classroom Environmental & Discipline:

o Eating and drinking are not allowed during class.
o Chatting with another student or unnecessary noise are not tolerated during class session.
o Hostility and disrespectful conduct are greatly discouraged and must not be practiced at all
times especially during class.
o Students are expected to attend all classes fully and not to leave class before end of the
lesson.
o The use of cellphones, laptops and tablets or other electronic devices is not permitted
during class sessions.

Make Up Policy:
If a student misses any test or submission of assignment, he/she will only be given a make-up if a
medical report or evidence of any tragic occurrence are produced as evidence. Late submission of
assignments will only be accepted under the conditions spelt out above. The instructor should be
informed in advance if a student will miss an examination or submit an assignment after a due
date.
E-mail Policy:
All emergencies concerning the course may be communicated to the lecturer through e-mails or
WhatsApp. Such e-mails should be written in a professional manner. Adequate time must be given
to e-mails that require responses.

Academic Integrity:
Unethical practices will not be tolerated. These may include, but not only limited to, plagiarism
and examination malpractice, tampering with academic records, copying other students’
assignments or another person’s work or your own previously used work and submitting same as
your own, tampering with the academic work of other students. Students who behave in unethical
manner are liable to face disciplinary actions.

Required Readings:
Bluman A., Elementary Statistics: A Step by Step Approach, McGraw Hill, 10th edition, New
York, 2015
Ott, R. L., An Introduction to Statistical Methods and Data Analysis, Pearson Education Ltd, Fifth
edition,

Course Structure:
Week Period Lesson Module Behavioural Objectives
(Students will be able to:)
1 1 Introduction List outcomes of experiments.
2 Basic counting principle Use counting principle.
State the outcomes of repeated
experiments.
2 1 Permutation Perform arrangement of objects.
Arrange indistinguishable objects.
2 Permutation cont. Illustrate conditional permutation in
solving problems.
3 1 Combination Relate combination to permutation.
2 Combination cont. Use combination principle to solve
problems
4 1 Concepts of probability Define event and sample space.
2 Axioms of probability State the three axioms of probability.
5 1 Types of probability Define classical and empirical
probabilities.
2 Basic properties of probability Find probability of events having
equally likely outcomes.
6 1 Independent events Find probability of independent
events from multiplication rule.
2 Conditional probability Calculate probability when some
partial information about the result of
an experiment is available.
7 1 Dependent events Use conditional probability to find
probability of dependent events from
multiplication rule.
2 Random variables Define and state types of random
variables.
Differentiate discrete from
continuous random variables.
Construct probability distribution.
8 1 Mid-semester Test
2 Presentation
9 1 Random variables cont’d Present probability distribution
graphically.
2 Mean and standard deviation of Calculate mean and standard
probability distribution deviation of distribution.
10 1 Expected value Determine the expected value of a
random variable.
2 Bernoulli distribution and Compute probabilities using
Binomial distribution Bernoulli formula.
Compute probabilities using binomial
formula.
Compute mean and standard
deviation of binomial distribution.
11 1 Hyper-geometric distribution Compute probabilities using hyper-
geometric formula
2 Poisson distribution Compute probabilities using Poisson
formula
12 1 Continuous probability Define continuous distribution
distribution
2 Normal distribution and its Define normal distribution.
properties Compute probabilities from normal
curve.
State the properties of normal
distribution.