Advanced Probability

A.Y. 2024/2025
9
Max ECTS
78
Overall hours
SSD
MAT/06
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
Probability theory is now applied in a variety of fields including physics, engineering, informatics, biology, economics and social sciences. This course is an introduction to the rigorous theory of probability with perspective theme given by the Doob's theory of martingales and an introduction to the stochastic processes. Given the reference to the basic theory, the relevant concept of the conditional expectation is examined in depth. Stochastic processes and in particular their measurability properties and the construction of the path space are introduced. Two classes of processes are studied into details: the martingales at both discrete and continuous time, and the Markov processes, via its characterizations and the study of the discrete time Markov Chain.
Expected learning outcomes
Student learn how to treat and discuss the main properties of principal probabilistic objects.
He learn of the main mathematical properties of stochastic processes. He gain a knowledge of important classes of processes and of advanced techniques in stochastic analysis.
Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
1. INTRODUCTION TO THE PROBABILITY THEORY
2. CONVERGENCE OF PROBABILITY MEASURE
2.1 Weak convergence in R
2.2. Weak convergence in metric space

3. CONDITIONING
3.1. Conditional expectation:
3.2. Regular versione of a conditional probability

4. STOCHASTIC PROCESSES
4.1. Measurability and continuity
4.2. Costruction of path spaces and Kolmogorv Bochner Theorem
4.3. Gaussian
4.4. Levy's processes. Poisson and Wiener processes
4.5. Markov processes: Transition functions, semigroups, infinitesimal semigroup. Dynkin formula
4.6 Markov Chains

5. STOPPING TIMES
6. MARTINGALES
6.1. Discrete time martingales and their transformations
6.2. Convergence results and Doob's optional stopping theorem
6.3. UI Martingales
6.4 L1 and L2 Martingales
6.3. Continuous time martingales
6.4. Quadratic variation theory
7. MARKOV CHAINS
7.1. Discrete time Markov Chains
7.2. Continuous time Markov Chains


See the Lesson Diary at the official web page of the course
Prerequisites for admission
Notions related to a basic course of probability (construction of a probability space, random variables and vectors, induced probability measures induced by random elements, different kind of convergence in probability,...)
Teaching methods
The lessons will all be frontal lessons held on the blackboard, sometimes by the use of PC.
Teaching Resources
- D. Williams, Probability with Martingales
- J. Jacod, P. Protter, Probability Essentials
- Billingsley , Probability and Measure, 1986
- V.Capasso-D.Bakstein, An Introduction to Continuous-Time Stochastic Processes: Theory, Models, and Applications to Finance, Biology, and Medicine, Birkhauser, 2015;
- Heinz Bauer, Probability Theory,1996
- P. Baldi, Stochastic Calculus: An Introduction Through Theory and Exercises, 2017
- AppleBaum, Levy Processes and Stochastic Calculus, 2004
- Norris, Markov Chains, 1999

On MyAriel all the reference are specified in the Lectur Diary section.
No lecture notes are available.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final examination consists of two parts: a written and an oral part.

- During the written part the student will be required to solve one or two exercizes and to prove one theorethical result analyzed during the course. The duration of the written exam is two hours.

- The oral exam can always be taken. In the oral part, the student will be required to illustrate results presented during the course in order to evaluate her/his profound comprehension of them as well as of their interactions.
- The final evaluation takes into account both parts.
- Grades are expressed in thirtieths.
MAT/06 - PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS - University credits: 9
Practicals: 36 hours
Lessons: 42 hours
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Monday, 10:30 am - 1:30 pm (upon appointment, possibly suppressed for academic duties)
Department of Mathematics, via Saldini 50, office 1017.
Reception:
upon appointment via email
Via Saldini 50, second floor
Reception:
Please write an email
Room of the teacher or online room