MTH 201 – Introduction to Statistics

Fall 2005

 

 

Instructor:         Carol Overdeep                                   Office:              409

Email:               coverdeep@stmartin.edu                      Phone:              (360)438-4378

Office Hours:    MWF 10-11, 1-2; T 1-2; Th 11-12;  by appointment, or drop in

Webpage:         http://homepages.stmartin.edu/fac_staff/coverdeep/

 

Textbook:         Elementary Statistics a Step by Step Approach, 3rd Edition by Allan Bluman,

                        McGraw/Hill, 2006

Other:               Coursepack of class notes available in the bookstore.

 

Course Objectives:

Ø      To learn some commonly used statistical techniques

Ø      To apply these techniques in describing and analyzing data

Ø      To recognize sound/good statistical studies

Ø      To gain an appreciation for analytical skills

 

Exams and Grading:

Ø      Homework                         25%                 IMPORTANT:  NO EXTRA CREDIT

Ø      Exam 1                               15%

Ø      Exam 2                               15%

Ø      Exam 3                               15%

Ø      Writing                                 5%

Ø      Final                                   25%                 (9:00 Class: Wednesday, 12/14/05, 10:15-12:15)

(2:00 Class:  Monday, 12/12/05, 3:15-5:15)

Homework:

Ø      Homework may be done in groups (each student must hand in an assignment).

Ø      Assigned problems are on a separate handout as well as on my webpage.

Ø      Due dates will be announced in class.

Ø      You must show your work to receive full credit (where applicable).

Ø      Late homework will be penalized/not accepted. 

o       Homework will be considered late if not in my office by 11:00 (9:00 class) or 3:30 (2:00 class) on the day it is due unless prior arrangements have been made. 

o       Homework will be accepted until the assignment is returned to the class but will be penalized.

 

Exam 1/Exam 2/Exam 3:

Ø      Use of calculators may be limited.

Ø      Make-up exams will not be possible without prior arrangements—and the reason for missing an exam must be compelling.

Ø      Exams will resemble homework problems and problems done in class.

 

Writing:

Ø      Probability (Chapter 4) and Hypothesis Testing (Chapter 8) are two of the more important topics we will cover.

Ø      You will be asked to write a haiku, limerick, or sonnet on both of these topics when we encounter each of them in class.

Ø      You may work in groups on this—in fact, groups are encouraged.

Ø      Results will be compiled and shared (without attribution) with the class.

Ø      More details will be forthcoming.

 

 

 

Final:

Ø      If you do not do as well as you would have liked on Exam 1 and/or Exam 2 and/or Exam 3, you will have a chance to make it up by doing well on the final exam.

Ø      The final exam will be cumulative and will consist of four part:  Exam 1 material, Exam 2 material, Exam 3 material, and material since the third exam.

Ø      Formula used:  Exam n score=max(original score, average of both scores, 90% of final score) where n=1,2,3.

Ø      For example, suppose your exam scores were 72, 80, and 88.  If your corresponding scores from the final were 92, 84, and 78.  Then

o       Exam 1 = max(72, (72+92)/2=82, 0.9*92=82.8) = 82.8

o       Exam 2 = max(80,(80+84)/2=82, 0.9*80=72) = 82

o       Exam 3 = max(88,(88+78)/2=83, 0.9*88=79.2)=88

 

General Philosophy/Attendance:

Ø      College prepares you for a professional position. 

Ø      In the working world, you are responsible for your career and you are accountable for your decisions.  For example, class attendance is expected (just as you are expected to go to work) but not required. 

 

Important Dates:

Ø      September 5, 2005:  Labor Day, no class

Ø      September 9, 2005:  Last day to add/change a class. 

Ø      September 23, 2005:  First Exam (subject to change)

Ø      October 19, 2005:  Second Exam (subject to change)

Ø      October 21, 2005:  Fall break, no class

Ø      November 4, 2005:  Last day to withdraw from a class

Ø      November 9, 2005:  Third Exam (subject to change)

Ø      November 11, 2005:  St. Martin’s Day, no class

Ø      November 24-25, 2005:  Thanksgiving recess, no class

Ø      December 12, 2005:  Final Exam  (2:00 Class)

Ø      December 14, 2005:  Final Exam (9:00 Class)

 

Students with Disabilities:  :  If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if you have a medical and/or safety concern to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as–soon-as possible