Introduction to Statistics - Math 233

 Spring 2005 – SC204 – MWF – 9:00 – 9:50am

Text:  Introduction to the Practice of Statistics (4^th ed.)

David S. Moore and George P. McCabe

 

Instructor:    Shawn Chiappetta     

Office: Salisbury Science Center 115                      

                      Phone: 575-2081                  

                      Email: shawn.chiappetta@usiouxfalls.edu

                        Web:   www.usiouxfalls.edu/~sjc

                      Office Hours:  MWR   1:30 – 3:00 pm

                                                T          9:00 – 10:30 am                      

                                                            Other times available by appointment

 

Course Description:  An introduction to the fundmentals of statistics with applications.  Topics include frequency distributions, sampling distributions, testing hypotheses, analysis of variance, regression and correlations and nonparametric methods.  Prerequisites: MAT111 or equivalent.

 

Course Objectives:  Through this course, the successful student will develop:

1.       a solid understanding of the principles and theories underlying statistics;

2.      in their ability to perform accurate calculations and evaluations using multiple techniques and tools;

3.      understanding of the ethical questions that arise when making decisions using statistics;

4.      awareness and a value of statistics, including being able to draw meaningful conclusions from uncertainty; and

5.      their ability to clearly present a statistical argument, in both written and oral form.

 

Elements:  This class will consist of 4 main elements: Lectures and classroom discussion, group projects (both small and large), homework, and exams.

• Lectures and Discussion:  Class attendance is very important.  Each student is responsible for all material covered in class, as well as daily assignments, even if absent.  Lectures are designed so the students will receive the background and techniques for each section, followed by numerous examples using these techniques.  Discussion and participation are an important part of working problems and help give the student a better understanding of the content.

• Homework:  Homework will be assigned each class.  I strongly advise you to work all of the assigned exercises carefully and promptly.  This is by far the most effective means by which you can assess your understanding of the material emphasized in this class. 
• Group Project (Small/Large):  To start out the semester you will form groups of 3-4 people.  Once the groups are formed, each group will decide on a field project (large project).  This creative project is designed and carried out by you from beginning to end, putting statistical principles into practice.  Your group will identify a question to be answered or a problem to be solved and construct and implement a strategy in response.  Even though this may seem large, it will be broken down into smaller projects throughout the semester.  This is done to give the impression of what a “real” project would entail.  The steps for the large project will be specifically:  a written proposal, a research paper and a presentation.   More information later.
• Exams:  There will be 3 inclass hour exams during the semester.  Students are required to be present for each exam unless you have a University approved excuse.  The final exam will be on Wednesday, May 18^th at 8:00am.  Attendance at this time is mandatory to pass the course. 
• Percentages toward final grade:
• Homework                                                                  25%
• Small projects                       5@3% each                15%
• Large project                                                            10%
• In-class Exams                      3@10% each              30%
• Final Exam                  May 18^th @ 8:00am      20%

 

Grades:  Grades will be determined according to the standard grading scale:  100 – 90 = A, 89 – 80 = B, 79 – 70 = C, 69 - 60 = D and 59 – 0 = F.  Distribution of pluses and minuses will be made at the end of the semester.

 

Individual exceptions to this grading policy are left solely to the discretion of the instructor and as a general rule, will not be made.

 

Academic Integrity:  I encourage you to collaborate and assist each other.  However, that assistance should be a knowledge exchange, not the replication of the work of another.  Plagiarism (with or without the permission of the originator) defeats the learning process and jeopardizes your success in the course. Give each other knowledge, not completed solutions.  The personal battles of working through the difficulties of assigned homework are the only way a student grows to competence.  Copying the exam work of another is dishonest and a violation of the ethical standards of USF (www.usiouxfalls.edu/stuserv/misconduct.htm).  Allowing your work to be copied by another is equally a violation.  Penalties will include no exam credit for either student.  All students who observe an incident of cheating have an obligation to confidentially report such to the instructor. 

 

Disability Statement:  The University of Sioux Falls is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for students with physical, learning, or other disabilities. Accommodations are made only in consultation with the Coordinator of Disability Services. If you believe you have a disability requiring accommodation in this course, contact Mrs. Libby Larson, Coordinator of Disability Services, x6803. She will work with you to secure proper documentation and to arrange appropriate accommodations.

 

Attendance Policy:  Faithful and consistent class attendance should be considered the standard for regular coursework at the University of Sioux Falls. Such attendance is important for both the integrity of the course and the student's own sake. The responsibility for monitoring student attendance is assigned directly to the instructor of the course.  The instructor will follow the campus attendance policy located at www.usiouxfalls.edu/stuserv/attendancepolicy.htm.

 

Schedule for the semester:  The class schedule for the semester will be passed out in class as well as posted on the class website for students to plan.  The schedule is a tentative schedule, and is subject to change during the semester.  However, I will keep all exam dates the same as they are posted on the Schedule.

 

This syllabus results from the instructor’s effort to represent fairly the plan for this course. Circumstances may cause the instructor to make changes in the plan, but such changes will not be capricious and will be made in a timely fashion. Please speak with your instructor if there is anything in the syllabus about which you are unclear.

 

Tentative Class Schedule:

Friday, Feb. 4                                    Introductions – Guest speaker                              

 

Monday, Feb. 7                                  3.1

Wednesday, Feb. 9                            3.2, 3.3

Friday, Feb. 11                                   1.1                                Last Day for Changes

 

Monday, Feb. 14                                1.2                              

Wednesday, Feb. 16                          1.2

Friday, Feb. 18                                   1.3                              

 

Monday, Feb. 21                                1.3

Wednesday, Feb. 23                         2.1

Friday, Feb. 25                                  2.2                              

 

Monday, Feb. 28                                2.3

Wednesday, March 2                        2.4, 2.5, Review

Friday, March 4                                 Exam 1

 

Monday, March 7                              3.4      

Wednesday, March 9                        4.1, 4.2

Friday, March 11                               4.3

 

Monday, March 14                             4.4

Wednesday, March 16                      5.1

Friday, March 18                               5.1

                       

Monday, March 21                             5.2, Review

Wednesday, March 23                      Exam 2                       Midterm Grades Due

 

Friday, March 24 – Sunday April 3                  Spring Break

 

Monday, April 4                                 6.1

Wednesday, April 6                          6.2

Friday, April 8                                   NO CLASS                Last Day to Drop

 

Monday, April 11                                6.2

Wednesday, April 13                         6.3, 6.4

Friday, April 15                                 7.1

 

Monday, April 18                               7.2

Wednesday, April 20                        7.2

Friday, April 22                                 8.1

 

Monday, April 25                               8.2

Wednesday, April 27                        9.1, 9.2

Friday, April 29                                 9.2, 9.3(*)

 

Monday, May 2                                  10.1

Wednesday, May 4                            12.1

Friday, May 6                                    12.2

 

Monday, May 9                                  14.3, Review

Wednesday, May 11                          Exam 3

Friday, May 13                                   Poster Session

 

Monday, May 16                                Final Review

 

Final Exam --                                     May 18^th @ 8:00am