# Introduction to CS 361 – Probability and Statistics for Computer Science Spring 2022

**Welcome to CS 361! Please think of this as a guide on how to navigate Canvas and be successful in the course!**

## Platforms Used

* [**Canvas**](https://canvas.illinois.edu/courses/17646): For any and all course resources
* Homework can be found
* [**Gradescope**](https://www.gradescope.com/courses/343679): For submitting homework and project files. The join code is: **WYRVN2**
* [**Prairielearn**](https://prairielearn.engr.illinois.edu/pl/): For taking weekly quizzes and final exam, you will need to manually find and add CS 361.
* [**Ed Discussion Forum**](https://edstem.org/us/courses/16918/discussion/) or [**Canvas Discussion**](https://canvas.illinois.edu/courses/17646/discussion_topics): For getting your questions answered! Canvas also has a private messaging function as described below!
* WE HAVE A CLASS DISCORD! Join [here](https://discord.gg/8cDPPHaqXH)!

## How to Send a Private Message on Canvas

1. Go to your inbox
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2. Click icon at the top of the page to compose a new message!
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3. Select a course using the dropdown, your courses should show up under **Favorite Courses**
4. Select "Spring 2022-CS 361-Prob & Stat for Computer Sci-Sections ADA, ADB, ADC, ADD, ADE, ADF, ADG, ADH, AD1, AL2" (it might also show up as **Spring 2022-....ADI, AL1**)

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5. For the **To** section, click on the directory icon, and you will be given the option to message the Professor, Teaching Assistants, other Students, as well as Student Groups

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6. Choose the individual(s) you would like to message
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7. Make sure to type out a relevant subject that describes your question or issue, then go ahead and send your message!

## Helpful Links

* Direct link to [syllabus](https://canvas.illinois.edu/courses/17646/assignments/syllabus)

* **Lecture Zoom links** can be found [here](https://canvas.illinois.edu/courses/17646/external_tools/327). **Discussion Zoom links** can be found [here](https://canvas.illinois.edu/courses/17646/pages/the-instruction-team), under the Instruction Team page.

* **Lecture and discussion Zoom recordings** can be either accessed through [ClassTranscribe](https://classtranscribe.illinois.edu/offering/830d995a-5189-48f5-8337-bb5c87bbcc1f), or [Mediaspace](https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/channel/CS361_SP2022/240739302). Alternatively, a link to Zoom Cloud recordings (contains Zoom chat info) will be posted under each week's module. Those links expire after 30 days so ClassTranscribe or Mediaspace is recommended instead.

* If you would like to study ahead or preview course materials, [here](https://classtranscribe.illinois.edu/offering/1f134366-1e4b-43eb-8aa4-c0525163ec3d) is the link to last semester's (Fall 2021) lectures!

* Lecture slides will be linked to the [front page schedule](https://canvas.illinois.edu/courses/17646) on Canvas and also in the weekly modules. Post-lecture slides are usually uploaded a few hours after lecture.

* If you choose to use LaTeX for assignments, a recommended platform to do and store your homework and final project on is [Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/)
* Simply use your email to create an account and you are good to go! (The free tier should be enough)
* Students have also used Microsoft Word in the past

* Many of you are probably new to LaTeX. In order to help save some of your time, the course staff have created a template for the homework, common equations, probability distributions, and more! The templates can be found [here on Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/read/wmvhttbpythv)
* Log in, make a copy of the template, and you're set!

## Instructions for Downloading FREE Course Textbook:

#### The course textbook can be downloaded [here](https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-319-64410-3) for **free**

1. Click the **Log in** button on the top right of the page 

2. Then, **Access via your institution** 

3. Search and select University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 

4. You will then be prompted to **log in via your netid** if you are not already logged in

5. Finally, you will be able to **download your copy**!

## Tips for Success

* New to Python? Refer to [this](https://canvas.illinois.edu/courses/17646/pages/python?module_item_id=1480127) guide on Canvas for help on environment setup as well as a few tutorial notebooks to get you started

* Try to use LaTeX for your assignments, this skill will come extremely handy for later courses like CS 374. LaTeX does take some time to get used to, but you will get the hang of it!

* Make sure to **start the homework early**

* Practice, practice, practice! Make sure to take advantage of practice exams and review practice problems from discussion and lecture

* Attend office hours to clear any confusion or misunderstandings with concepts. Many of the material will build on past concepts so it is to your benefit to have a thorough understanding! (You can also earn EC through office hour visits :D )

* Take advantage of the group work opportunities to help each other develop a stronger understanding of the concepts. Although group discussion is optional, it is also another great opportunity to earn EC, review past material, and build connections!