• Probability Models in ECE
• Review of probability: set theory, basic concepts, probability spaces, conditional probability, Bayes' Rule, independence, Borel Fields, Generation of random numbers
• Discrete Random Variables: Notion of Random Variables, Probability Mass Functions (PMF), Expected Value and Moments, Important Discrete Random Variables, Generation of Discrete Random Variables
• General Random Variables (Single Variable): Cumulative Distribution Functions (CDF), Probability Density Functions (PDF), functions of random variables, expectations and characteristic function, Markov and Chebyshev inequalities
• Pairs of Random Variables: joint and marginal distributions, conditional distributions and independence, functions of two random variables, Expectations and correlations, pairs of jointly Gaussian Random Variables, generating jointly Gaussian Random Variables
• Random vectors: Functions of several random variables expected value of vector random variables, jointly Gaussian Random vectors, convergence of random sequences
• Sums of random variables and long-term averages: the sample mean and the Laws of Large Numbers, the Central Limit Theorem
• Stochastic Processes: Basic concepts, Covariance, correlation, and stationarity, Gaussian processes and Brownian motion, Poisson and related processes, Power spectral density, Stochastic processes and linear systems, Matched filter
• Markov Processes and Markov Chains

• Required Textbook: A. Leon-Garcia, Probability, Statistics, and Random Processes for Electrical Engineering, 3rd Edition, Pearson Prentice Hall, 2008 .
• Recommended Introductory Textbook: D. P. Bertsekas and J. N. Tsitsiklis, Introduction to Probability, Athena Scientific, Belmont, MA, 2nd Edition, 2008. See http://www.athenasc.com/probbook.html.
• Formula Sheet: pmf and pdf for exam
• Useful MATLAB Commands: MATLAB_CNL.pdf
• Useful templates:
  ENCE 452 Cover Page.docx,
  ENCE 452 Cover Page.tex   and    myMods.sty,
  ENCE 452 Cover Page.pdf.

There will be weekly homework assignments along with several projects. Homework will be assigned on Mondays and will be due by 4:00 pm of the following Monday (except holidays). Projects should be typed and follow a specific given format. You should upload your solutions to Blackboard. Projects will typically be due two weeks after being assigned. Late submissions will not be accepted.

There will be one Mid-Term exam, and a Final exam (comprehensive). They will count towards the grade as follows:

• Homework and MATLAB Projects 20%
• Mid-term 35% (Oct 17)
• Final Exam 45% (up to 2 hours and 30 minutes) - see the schedule of Final Exams (Dec 12)

Mason expects students to pursue their academic work with honesty and integrity. Students should feel free to work in groups to discuss lecture material and homework assignments; however, under no circumstances should a student represent another's work as his/her own. Copying solutions for assigned homework problems, from any source, constitutes a violation of the university honor code. Any forms of cheating may cause penalties, from getting a failing grade in this course to academic actions in accordance with university policy.

Academic Integrity and Honor Code:

This Student Code of Conduct was created to support a productive and stimulating learning environment in all School of Business and Technology classes. The code is designed to help ensure a positive atmosphere for the vast majority of students who currently exhibit the professional standards detailed below.

• Students should exhibit professional classroom values and behavior by:

  • Demonstrating trust, respect, and civility.
  • Approaching course content is important and necessary for the success in business.
  • Engaging in responsible classroom activities such as:
    • turning off cell phone ringers
    • avoiding unnecessary talking
    • not reading outside material or doing other work during class

• Students should contribute to a positive learning environment by:

  • Arriving, attending, and departing class in a professional manner.
  • Taking responsibility for team and individual assignments.
  • Developing cooperative relationships with other students and faculty.

• Students should support a professional environment within the School of Business and Technology by:

  • Avoiding inappropriate language in and near classrooms and offices.
  • Refraining from unrealistic expectations in dealing with administration, faculty, and staff.

• Students must uphold the academic integrity standards. Academic integrity is conceptualized as doing and taking credit for one's work. Violations of the university's academic integrity standards include, but are not limited to:

  • Cheating in the classroom. Cheating includes using unauthorized sources of information and providing or receiving unauthorized assistance on any form of academic work.
  • Examples of cheating include giving answers to others in a testing situation without permission of the instructor; taking or receiving answers from others in a test situation without permission of the instructor; having possession of test materials without permission; taking, giving, or receiving test materials before tests without permission; having someone else take a test or perform an assignment for you; submitting as your own work, work done by someone else; permitting someone else to submit your work under that person's name; falsifying research data or other research material; copying with or without permission any work, e.g., essays, short stories, poems, etc., from a computer, hard drive or discs and presenting them as your own.
  • Plagiarism. Plagiarism includes the copying of language, structure, ideas, or thoughts of another, and representing them as one's own without proper acknowledgment.
  • Examples of plagiarism include taking ideas from a source without clearly giving proper reference in a way that identifies the original source of the ideas and distinguishes them from your own; indirectly quoting or paraphrasing material taken from a source without clearly giving proper reference in a way that identifies the original source and distinguishes the paraphrased material from your own compositions; directly quoting or exactly copying material from a source without giving proper reference or otherwise presenting the copied material as your own creation.
  • Unauthorized Possession or Disposition of Academic Materials. Unauthorized possession or disposition of academic materials includes the unauthorized selling or purchasing of examinations or other academic work; stealing another student's work; unauthorized entry to or use of material in a computer file; theft or mutilation of library materials; and using information from or possessing exams that an instructor did not authorize for release to students.
  • Falsification. Falsification encompasses any untruth, either verbal or written, in one's academic work.
  • Facilitation of Cases of Academic Dishonesty. Facilitation of any act of academic dishonesty including cheating, plagiarism, and/or falsification of documents also constitutes a violation of the university's academic integrity.

Academic Honesty and Integrity

Academic honesty and integrity lie at the heart of any educational enterprise. Students are expected to do their work and neither give nor receive assistance during quizzes, examinations, or other class exercises. Because the university takes academic honesty seriously, penalties for violations may be severe, including failing the course and possibly being dismissed from the university. Students accused of academic dishonesty will be given due process before disciplinary action is taken.
Please request the most current policy and procedure followed when academic dishonesty accusations are lodged by faculty against students from the faculty member, the academic advisor, or the department chair.

Precautionary Disclaimer

The instructor reserves the right to amend the course syllabus during the term. If changes must be made, students will be notified. Notice given during class is considered proper notice. Office hours are subject to change depending on the instructor's schedule.