Discrete probability models. Review of discrete and continuous probability. Conditional expectations. Simulation techniques for random variables. Discrete time stochastic processes: random walks and Markov chains with applications to Monte Carlo simulation and mathematical finance. Introduction to Poisson process.
4
UnitsOptional
Grading1, 2
PasstimeNone
Level LimitLetters and science
CollegeThe 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.
Vellaisamy demonstrated growing support / compassion for his students, but there is a huge disconnect between his theoretical lectures and the application-based exams / quizzes, consisting of 80% of the overall grade. This made his course very tricky to follow half of the time and hard to study for, but he curved the final grades very generously.