Class Central is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Coursera

An Intuitive Introduction to Probability

University of Zurich via Coursera

Overview

Prepare for a new career with $100 off Coursera Plus
Gear up for jobs in high-demand fields: data analytics, digital marketing, and more.
This course will provide you with a basic, intuitive and practical introduction into Probability Theory. You will be able to learn how to apply Probability Theory in different scenarios and you will earn a "toolbox" of methods to deal with uncertainty in your daily life.

The course is split in 5 modules. In each module you will first have an easy introduction into the topic, which will serve as a basis to further develop your knowledge about the topic and acquire the "tools" to deal with uncertainty. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to complete 5 exercise sessions to reflect about the content learned in each module and start applying your earned knowledge right away.

The topics covered are: "Probability", "Conditional Probability", "Applications", "Random Variables", and "Normal Distribution".

You will see how the modules are taught in a lively way, focusing on having an entertaining and useful learning experience! We are looking forward to see you online!

Syllabus

  • Probability
    • In this module we will learn about probabilities and perform our first calculations using probability formulas. We want to get comfortable with the idea that probabilities describe the chance of uncertain events occurring.
  • Conditional Probability
    • The arrival of new information may lead us to alter our probabilistic assessments of uncertain events. In this module, we will learn how the concept of "conditional" probabilities allows us to make these changes correctly. Script of the course can be found here: https://www.coursera.org/learn/introductiontoprobability/resources/qxi9W
  • Application
    • We will discuss some fascinating every-day applications of probability. In addition to entertaining examples, we will also review very serious applications from finance and law.
  • Discrete Random Variables
    • In this module we move beyond probabilities and learn about important summary measures such as expected values, variances, and standard deviations. We also learn about the most popular discrete probability distribution, the binomial distribution.
  • Normal Distribution
    • We want to get comfortable with the normal distribution. We will discuss what the famous bell curve really represents. And we will learn how easy it is to calculate normal probabilities.

Taught by

Karl Schmedders

Reviews

4.0 rating, based on 3 Class Central reviews

4.8 rating at Coursera based on 1664 ratings

Start your review of An Intuitive Introduction to Probability

  • Daung Teza
    This is the first course related to Maths that I took so I am not really making a comparison. The course introduces me to a more complicated use of probability (beyond what I've been taught, i.e. high school maths). Generally, the professor explains…
  • Profile image for Vinod Nayak
    Vinod Nayak
    This course has an excellent series of topics in probability. The handout/script was also very good. The problems, though could have been more challenging. Probability can only be learned after your understanding of concepts has been challenged with various problems. This course did not have such problems. But I am better prepared for Stat110 or MIT 18.05 now

Never Stop Learning.

Get personalized course recommendations, track subjects and courses with reminders, and more.

Someone learning on their laptop while sitting on the floor.