MCS 256: Discrete Calculus & Probability, Spring 2008
Week Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
 1
Feb. 11-15
Introduction
Algorithms
Recurrences
Induction
 
 
Sequences
Sums
Lab
Maple
 2
Feb. 18-22
Binomial theorem Difference calculus
Factorial powers
 
 
Harmonic numbers
Synthetic division
Polynomials
Stirling numbers
 3
Feb. 25-29
Higher & divided differences Interpolating polynomials  
 
  Exam 1
 4
Mar. 3-7
Integral calculus Summation calculus  
 
Fundamental Theorem an Yn = bnYn-1 + cn   Lab
 5
Mar. 10-14
Asymptotics
L'Hospital's Rule
Big Oh, Big Omega, little oh, etc.   Stirling's approx Sets & logic
 6
Mar. 17-20
How to count ... ... without counting  
 
Exam 2 Good Friday
 Easter Recess
Mar. 21-30
 Spring Break  Spring Break  Spring
 Break
 Spring Break  Spring Break
 7
Mar. 31-Apr. 4
 Ordered arrangements  Selections
 Multisets
 
 
 Distributions  Wrap-up
8
Apr. 7-11
Probability models Probability calculations   Conditional probability Bayes's rule
 9
Apr. 14-18
Random variables Distributions  
 
Special discrete distributions  W deadline
Lab
 10
Apr. 21-25
Exam 3 Expectation
Moments, pgf, ...
 
 
Techniques for means Joint distributions
 11
Apr. 28-May 2
Covariances + Proofs by counting
Factorial moments
 MAYDAY! Francis Su
Fibonacci identities
Generating functions
 12
May 5-9
  Exam 4   Manipulating generating functions More ogfs
 13
May 12-16
Solving recurrences Homogeneous LRRwcc's  
 
Nonhomogeneous LRRwcc's Divide-and-conquer algorithms
 14
May 19-21
Master Theorem
an Yn = bnYn-1 + cn
Wrap-up and review  
 
 Reading Day  Finals begin.
 15
May 26-27
  Final: 8:00-10:00
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Class days 14 14   13 12