16:642:591 Topics in Probability & Ergodic Theory I

Fall 2020

Kim Weston

Subtitle:

Introduction to Probability using Measure Theory

Course Description:

This course will be an introduction to the issues and techniques of probability theory, at the graduate level. The topics covered will include: (i) The measure theoretic framework of modern probability theory; probability spaces and random variables; (ii) Independence and zero-one laws; (iii) Laws of large numbers and Kolmogorov's three series theorem; (iv) Convergence in distribution and the Central Limit Theorem; (v) Conditional Expectation; (vi) An introduction to martingales in discrete-time and applications to Markov chains. Time permitting, we will try to give brief introduction to Brownian motion.

Textbook:

Probability with martingales by David Williams

Prerequisites:

Real Analysis (640:501 or an equivalent) and an undergraduate course at the level of Ross's text, A First Course in Probability.