Syllabus for Math 203 A

Introduction to Statistics, Fall 1999, Central College.

Jump to the class schedule and assignments section.

Professor: Tom Linton, 312 B Central Hall, campus phone (515) 628-5264, email: lintont@central.edu.
Office Hours: 11 AM Monday, 10 AM and 3 PM Tuesday, 3 PM Wednesday, 10 AM Friday, or by appointment.
Class Meets: 2:00 to 2:50 PM MTWF in Central Hall 308.
Text: The Basic Practice of Statistics by Moore (1st Edition).
Technology: A calculator capable of performing statistical calculations (mean, standard deviation, correlation, ...) will be needed for the homework. There are numerous models for less than $20 available in today's market. I will use the TI-83, which is much more of a calculator than is needed (and costs about $90). Computer software (spreadsheets and or Minitab) will suffice for these purposes, and we will likely utilize such software in this class. No prior knowledge of technology use is assumed. Calculators (or computers) are allowed on the exams. The class web page is located at the URL http://www.central.edu/homepages/lintont/classes and some information relevant to this course will be distributed via email. You should check your email daily for pertinent class information and visit the class web page on occasion (weekly).

Course Overview

Statistics is the science of interpreting, understanding and deducing information from data collections. We will emphasize the meaning of statistical results, rather than the formulas used to calculate them. Our goal will be to cover most of the first 8 chapters of the text, in the order they appear in the book. We will spend roughly two days on each section of the text, leaving some time at the beginning of the second day to discuss questions on the homework assignments.

Our text is exceptional and may differ significantly from mathematics texts which you have used previously. It is specially designed to be read (as opposed to just a source of questions with similar examples). You should strive to read the text, it is written with you in mind. Reading mathematics is a skill we will focus on in this course. It is an active process, unlike reading most novels or poems. You should read each section of the text before coming to the class meetings on that material. The homework problems which appear in the middle of the sections (for example, problems 1.1 to 1.9 in section 1.1) should be attempted as you read. These questions will likely show up on quizzes and activities.

Most students that struggle with statistics fall behind at some point, avoid this like the plague. One day at a time, statistics is easy! If you blow off a few days, it can become much more challenging.

Grades:

Grades, based on the letter, or A, A-, B+, B, B-, . . . system, will be based on a curve (no stricter than the traditional 90, 80, 70, 60 percent scheme) of the total points in the class. The breakdown of the points in the class is given below. There is no extra credit for this class. You are encouraged to work together on group assignments (including homework), but copying answers of others is not allowed.

If any student has a physical, learning or psychiatric disability that restricts the development or expression of your gifts, please feel free to let me know so that we can, when possible, make accommodations that will enhance your classroom experience.

Exams

There will be three midterm exams worth 100 points each. Tentatively, these exams will occur when we complete two chapters of the text (after chapters 2, 4 and 6), or approximately on the dates September 17 (exam 1), October 8 (exam 2) and November 12 (exam 3). We will also have a 150 point cumulative final exam on Wednesday, December 15 at 1 PM.

Quizzes and Homework

I will collect homework assignments regularly and there will be regular (every week or two) quizzes as well. Normally, quizzes will be announced. There will be approximately 200 points (total) based on your homework and quiz grades. You should keep your homework in a separate notebook so that it can be collected at any time. Recording "just the answer" will receive little credit. You should show and/or explain your work on all assignments for this class. You are encouraged to work together on homework assignments, but this does NOT mean copying the work of others.

Activities

We will complete several activities (mostly in groups), some in-class, others will be out of class. These activities will involve the current topics of the course and normally replace a lecture. They will be slightly more involved than basic homework problems, but similar in difficulty. We will have approximately 100 points (total) worth of activities.

Class Participation and Attendance

There will be 50 points based on your class participation (asking questions, taking part in discussions, contributing to your groups in activities, etc.) and attendance. I will determine your score for these 50 points. You are responsible for all of the material covered in class each day, even if you are not present.

Late assignments and academic dishonesty:

Late homework, activities, etc. will be penalized by 10% each lecture they are late. I am fairly flexible about giving exams at alternate times, BUT you should definitely warn me before the exam is missed, and plan on taking it early rather than late. Quizzes missed due to absences can NOT be made up.

Plagiarism, or copying answers from other people or books without citing the source is a serious offense and will result in no credit for the work. It is OK to discuss your answers with other groups on group assignments, but the work you turn in must be your own.

Schedule:

Relevant information will be added to this schedule as we progress through the semester. An up to date version is available on line at http://www.central.edu/homepages/lintont/classes/Intro_Stat/203syll.html.

WEEK	DATES	SECTION(S)	ASSIGNMENTS
1	8-24 to 27	1.1, 1.2	1.1 #2,4,7,9,12,13,15,19 1.2 #21,22,24,25,27,28,29,34,38,41
2	8-30 to 9-3	1.3	1.3 #44,45,47,49,50,51,53,54,56,60 quiz 1, normal data activity.
3	9-7 to 10 Labor day break (9-6). Add-drop deadline (9-7).	2.1 and 2.2	Normal Proportions Question. 2.1#3,4,5,6,7,9,12 2.2#16,19,20,23,25,28
4	9-13 to 17	2.3 to 2.5	2.3#29,31,33,36,37,38,41,43,45 2.4#47,48,49,51,54 Quiz 2
5	9-20 to 24	3.1	Exam 1. 3.1#2,3,6,7,8,12 Random samples activity
6	9-27 to 10-1	3.2 to 3.3 4.1	3.2#27,28,31,32,35,36,37 Sample variance activity 4.1#1,2,3,4,6,7,8,12,13,14,15,19,22
7	10-4 to 8	4.2 and 4.3	25,26,27,28,31,32,34,35,36,38,39 random variable activity
8	10-11 Fall break	4.3	4.3#42,44,47,49,51,54 quiz 3
9	10-18 to 10-22	4.4 and 4.5	4.4#55 to 58, 60 to 65, 67,68,69 4.5#73,75,78,80 to 84 normal averages activity
10	10-25 to 10-29	5.1	exam 2 review, exam 2 5.1#1,2,4,5,6,8,9,12,13,16,17,21,24
11	11-1 to 11-5	5.2	5.2#26,28,30,31,34,37,38,39,41,42, 45,49,54 conf ints activity
12	11-8 to 11-12	5.3, 5.4	5.3#55,56,59,60 5.4#63,64,67,68
13	11-15 to 11-19	6.1, 6.2	6.1#1,3,4,5,8,11,14,16,17,20,23 6.2#29,31,32,34,35,38,39,40,44,45
14	11-22 to 11-24 Thanksgiving Break	6.2	Exam 3
15	11-29 to 12-3	7.1, 7.2	7.1#1,3,4,6,9,10,12,13,16 7.2#19 to 23,25,28
16	12-6 to 12-10	Chapter 8	8#2,4,6,8,10
	12-15 1 PM (Wed)	Final Exam	Cumulative 150 points

This personal page is maintained by Tom Linton, email: lintont@central.edu. Last updated December 08, 1999.

Disclaimer: "The views expressed on this page are the responsibility of Tom Linton and do not necessarily reflect Central College policies or official positions."