York University


EECS 3601 Probability and Stochastic Processes in Communications & Signal Processing

(Fall 2025)



» 
» The Lassonde School of Engineering
» Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science





Content starts here

Content starts here

Instructor: Prof. Gene Cheung

Lectures: T/R 14:30-16:00

Location: TBD (See links in eClass)

Labs: M 9:00-11:00, R 12:00-14;00

Location: BRG 336 (See links in eClass)

Office Hours: T/R 13:00-14:30

Announcement

  • 06/10/2025: Course homepage online.

Course Summary

Probability theory and applications for electrical engineers. Counting methods, multiple discrete / continuous random variables, functions of random variables, statistical inference, Poisson process, Gaussian process, finite-state Markov chain for electrical engineering applications.

The prerequisite is SC/MATH 2930; SC/MATH 2015.

Course Learning Outcomes
  • Counting: Count possible outcomes in a discrete random event, under ordered / unordered sampling with / without replacement scenarios.
  • Probability: Model the probabilities of a random event using functions of one or multiple random variables, discrete or continuous.
  • Inference: Apply statistical inference principles to infer model parameters from data.
  • Stochastic Processes: Model time-varying random events using stochastic models including Poisson and Gaussian processes and Markov chain.
  • Labs: Demonstrate the use of probability theory through hands-on group lab exercises or otherwise for various practical engineering scenarios, examining, for example, transform coding in image compression, random signal processing, and channel coding in digital communication (e.g., using contemporary software tools).
  • Team: Review, during aforementioned group exercises, within the group, the strengths and weaknesses of the team members and document how the group leveraged these strengths and addressed the weaknesses (e.g., coaching, tutoring, group study sessions).
  • Relevance: Explain the relationship of stochastic or probabilistic processes to important contemporary political, social, legal, or environmental issues and/or values (e.g., design of image compression algorithms vis-a-vis skin colour).

Required Textbook

  • H. Pishro-Nik, Introduction to Probability, Statistics, and Random Processes, Kappa Research, LLC, 2014. (also available online HERE)

Supplementary Material

  • R. G. Gallager, Stochastic Processes: Theory for Applications, Cambridge University Press, 2013.
  • S. Boyd, L. Vandenberghe, Introduction to Applied Linear Algebra: Vectors, Matrices, and Least Squares,  Cambridge University Press, 2018.

Evaluation

  • Bi-weekly assignments (30%)
  • Lab assignments (20%)
  • Midterm (25%)
  • Final (25%)

Course Outline (subject to change)

  • Week 1: Course Overview
  • Week 2: Counting Methods
  • Week 3: Discrete Random Variables
  • Week 4: Continuous Random Variables
  • Week 5: Joint Distribution / Multiple Random Variables
  • Week 6 : Statistical Inference 1: Classical Methods
  • Week 7: Statistical Inference 2: Bayesian Inference
  • Week 8: Poisson processes
  • Week 9: Gaussian Random Vectors and Processes
  • Week 10: Finite-state Markov Chains 1
  • Week 11: Finite-state Markov Chains 2

last modified June 10, 2025

 

 

Links

» instructor
eClass