Studying at the University of Verona

Here you can find information on the organisational aspects of the Programme, lecture timetables, learning activities and useful contact details for your time at the University, from enrolment to graduation.

This information is intended exclusively for students already enrolled in this course.
If you are a new student interested in enrolling, you can find information about the course of study on the course page:

Laurea magistrale in Banca e finanza - Enrollment from 2025/2026

The Study Plan includes all modules, teaching and learning activities that each student will need to undertake during their time at the University.
Please select your Study Plan based on your enrollment year.

CURRICULUM TIPO:

2° Year   activated in the A.Y. 2019/2020

ModulesCreditsTAFSSD
Stage
6
F
-
Final exam
15
E
-
activated in the A.Y. 2019/2020
ModulesCreditsTAFSSD
Stage
6
F
-
Final exam
15
E
-
Modules Credits TAF SSD
Between the years: 1°- 2°

Legend | Type of training activity (TTA)

TAF (Type of Educational Activity) All courses and activities are classified into different types of educational activities, indicated by a letter.




S Placements in companies, public or private institutions and professional associations

Teaching code

4S02482

Coordinator

Marco Minozzo

Credits

9

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

SECS-S/01 - STATISTICS

Period

primo semestre lauree magistrali dal Oct 1, 2018 al Dec 21, 2018.

Learning outcomes

The course provides to students in economics and finance an overview of the theory of probability at an intermediate level. Prerequisite to the course is an elementary knowledge of probability at the level of an undergraduate first or second year introductory course in probability and statistics. In particular, a basic knowledge of the following topics is recommended: most common univariate discrete and continuous distributions; weak law of large numbers; central limit theorem. The final objective of the course is to give an introduction to the advanced theory of conditional expectation, of stochastic processes in the discrete and continuous time domains and to stochastic integration.

Program

• Probability spaces and Kolmogorov’s axioms: sigma-algebras; event trees; elementary conditional probability; Bayes theorem; independence.

• Random variables: discrete, absolutely continuous and singular random variables; expectation; Chebyshev inequality; Jensen inequality; moment generating function.

• Multidimensional random variables: multidimensional discrete and continuous random variables; joint distribution function; joint density function; marginal and conditional distributions; marginal and conditional densities; independence; covariance; coefficient of correlation of Bravais; Cauchy-Schwarz inequality; joint moment generating function.

• Distributions of functions of random variables: transformations of random variables; method of the distribution function; distribution of the minimum and the maximum; method of the moment generating function; log-normal distribution; probability integral transform; transformations of vectors of random variables.

• Limits of random variables: infinite series of random variables; convergence in probability, in distribution, with probability one (almost surely) and in mean; weak law of large numbers and law of large numbers of Bernoulli for relative frequencies; central limit theorem; Borel’s lemma and Borel’s strong law of large numbers; order statistics; empirical distribution function.

• Conditional expectation: conditional probability and conditional expectation with respect to a finite partition; conditional expectation with respect to a sigma-algebra.

• Discrete time martingales: filtrations; martingales on finite probability spaces; martingales and stopping times; betting strategies and impossibility of a winning betting strategy.

• Continuous time stochastic processes: definitions and finite-dimensional distributions; filtrations; adapted processes; filtrations generated by a stochastic process; stationary processes; processes with stationary increments and with independent increments; counting processes and Poisson processes; Gaussian processes and Wiener processes (Brownian motions); Wiener process as a limit of a random walk; properties and irregularities of the sample trajectories (non derivability and infinite variation); Markov processes, transition probabilities and Chapman-Kolmogorov equations; continuous time martingales.

• Stochastic integrals: overview of Riemann-Stiltjes integral; definition and properties of Itô’s integral; Itô’s formula, properties and applications; martingales associated to a Wiener process; diffusions; geometric Brownian motion; Radom-Nikodym derivative; Girsanov's theorem.

TEXTBOOKS

- A. M. Mood, F. A. Graybill, D. C. Boes (1991). Introduzione alla Statistica. McGraw-Hill, Milano.
- B. V. Gnedenko (1979). Teoria della Probabilità. Editori Riuniti, Roma.
- R. V. Hogg, A. T. Craig (1994). Introduction to Mathematical Statistics, 5th Edition. Macmillan.
- A. N. Shiryaev (1996). Probability, 2nd Edition. Springer, New York.
- S. E. Shreve (2004). Stochastic Calculus for Finance II: Continuous-Time Models. Springer, New York.
- S. E. Shreve (2004). Stochastic Calculus for Finance I: The Binomial Asset Pricing Model. Springer, New York.

SUPPORTING MATERIAL

Other supporting material, written records of the lessons, handouts, exercises and past exam papers with solutions will be distributed during the course and will be made available on the E-learning platform of the University.

READING LIST

- P. Baldi (2011). Calcolo delle Probabilità, 2a Edizione. Mc Graw-Hill, Milano.
- D. M. Cifarelli (1998). Introduzione al Calcolo delle Probabilità. Mc Graw-Hill, Milano.
- W. Feller (1968). An Introduction to Probability Theory and Its Applications, Volume 1, 3rd Edition. Wiley.
- B. V. Gnedenko (1979). Teoria della Probabilità. Editori Riuniti, Roma.
- G. R. Grimmett, D. R. Stirzaker (1991). Probability and Random Processes, Solved Problems, 2nd Edition. The Claredon Press, Oxford University Press.
- G. R. Grimmett, D. R. Stirzaker (2001). Probability and Random Processes, 3rd Edition. Oxford University Press.
- G. R. Grimmett, D. R. Stirzaker (2001). One Thousand Exercises in Probability. Oxford University Press.
- J. Jacod, P. Protter (2000). Probability Essentials. Springer, New York.
- S. Lipschutz (1975). Calcolo delle Probabilità, Collana Schaum. ETAS Libri.
- T. Mikosch (1999). Elementary Stochastic Calculus With Finance in View. World Scientific, Singapore.

STUDY GUIDE

Detailed indications, regarding the use of the textbooks, will be given during the course.

PREREQUISITES

Students are supposed to have acquired all notions and basic concepts usually taught in a first undergraduate university course in probability and statistics: main discrete and continuous univariate distributions, main limit theorems such as the weak law of large numbers and the central limit theorem.

EXERCISES

Exercises are an integral part of the course and are necessary to an adequate understanding of the topics.

TEACHING METHODS

Course load is equal to 54 hours (equal to 9 ECTS). All classes are essential to a proper understanding of the topics of the course. The working language is Italian.

TUTORING ACTIVITIES

In addition to lessons and exercise hours, before each exam session there will be tutoring hours devoted to revision. More detailed information will be available during the course.

Reference texts
Author Title Publishing house Year ISBN Notes
W. Feller An Introduction to Probability Theory and Its Applications, Volume 1 (Edizione 3) Wiley 1968
P. Baldi Calcolo delle Probabilità (Edizione 2) McGraw-Hill 2011 9788838666957
S. Lipschutz Calcolo delle Probabilità, Collana Schaum ETAS Libri 1975
T. Mikosch Elementary Stochastic Calculus With Finance in View World Scientific, Singapore 1999
R. V. Hogg, A. T. Craig Introduction to Mathematical Statistics (Edizione 5) Macmillan 1994
D. M. Cifarelli Introduzione al Calcolo delle Probabilità McGraw-Hill, Milano 1998
A. M. Mood, F. A. Graybill, D. C. Boes Introduzione alla Statistica McGraw-Hill, Milano 1991
G. R. Grimmett, D. R. Stirzaker One Thousand Exercises in Probability Oxford University Press 2001 0198572212
A. N. Shiryaev Probability (Edizione 2) Springer, New York 1996
G. R. Grimmett, D. R. Stirzaker Probability and Random Processes (Edizione 3) Oxford University Press 2001 0198572220
G. R. Grimmett, D. R. Stirzaker Probability and Random Processes: Solved Problems (Edizione 2) The Clarendon Press, Oxford University Press, New York 1991
J. Jacod, P. Protter Probability Essentials Springer, New York 2000
S. E. Shreve Stochastic Calculus for Finance II: Continuous-Time Models Springer, New York 2004
S. E. Shreve Stochastic Calculus for Finance I: The Binomial Asset Pricing Model Springer, New York 2004
B. V. Gnedenko Teoria della Probabilità Editori Riuniti Roma 1979

Examination Methods

The final exam consists of a written test (of two hours and 30 minutes) followed by an oral session (of approximately 30 minutes). Both written and oral sessions are mandatory. For the written test, students can use a scientific calculator; any other material (books, notes, etc.) is forbidden. To be admitted to the oral session, students must receive at least 15 out of 30 in the written test. Contents, assessment methods and criteria are the same for all students and do not depend on the number of classes attended.

Students with disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLD), who intend to request the adaptation of the exam, must follow the instructions given HERE

Teaching materials e documents