Concepts of probability; random variables; combinatorial probability; discrete and continuous distributions; joint distributions, expected values; moment generating functions; law of large numbers and central limit theorems.
4
UnitsOptional
Grading1, 2
PasstimeUndergraduate students only
Level LimitLetters and science
CollegePSTAT 160A is a very difficult and in some ways is a proof-heavy class and I think that Prof. Palanippan did a good job teaching and I was able to learn from his lecturing and also his slides that he posts with proofs on them. Grading was very fair and I thought the midterm and final weren't too difficult but others definitely think differently.
The first two lectures were daunting, as he went through ~60 slides each. After that it was toned down to 20 on average. He gave lots of examples (mostly from book though) and exercises (mostly from book). He is also a very nice guy and wanted his students to succeed.
very approachable professor and ensures that you learn for the sake of learning rather than for the grade. important to show up to lecture since he will sometimes give additional information on topics that won't be on the slides
Dr. Palaniappan cares about his students doing well. He does above and beyond the required content for 160A, but his tests, quizzes, and hw are reasonable. Attending TA OH is super helpful. He isn't helpful with hw in oh, but if you have conceptual questions he is great. His lectures do drone on a bit, but what he doesn't say is in the slides
curved a lots, he reads the slides but explain well. three quizzes can drop one. go to lecture and section then you will be fine.
He was generous with the grading, but didn't engage in any teaching during class, just reading slides. Even the TAs pointed out errors in his exam solutions. Still, if you're okay with that, you might be satisfied.