Course Description: This course is a rigorous but non-calculus based introduction to basic concepts from statistics and probability intended for mathematics, computer science and science majors. Topics may include graphical displays of data, measures of central tendency and variability, elementary probability concepts, basic combinatorics, discrete probability distributions including the binomial distribution, the normal distribution, correlation and regression, and confidence intervals and hypothesis testing for means and proportions. Applications will be oriented towards the sciences. Special emphasis is placed upon the understanding of concepts and the proper use of statistics in real life situations. In order to increase the likelihood of success in this course it is recommended that the student attend class without fail, religiously work the homework, read the textbook, focus on understanding the concepts (not just the rote computations), and seek help from the professor and other sources (tutoring, library, textbook CD and/or website, etc.) when needed. Learning Objectives: This course will give students a working knowledge of the ideas and tools of practical statistics. Students will learn to:
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for the course but it is expected that students are familiar with basic mathematical ideas such as functions. Professor: Dr. M. Leigh Lunsford. For Dr. Lunsford's office location, phone number, email address, schedule (including office hours), and other general information, go to her homepage: http://www.mathspace.com/Lunsford/ Meeting Times and Locations: TR 11:00 am -12:15 pm, Ruffner 354 Course Textbook: INVESTIGATING STATISTICAL CONCEPTS, APPLICATIONS, AND METHODS, first edition by Beth L Chance and Allan J Rossman. The text should include a CD with data sets and Java applets and be bundled with the student version of Minitab 14. Required Technology/Computer Configurations:
Determination of Course Grade:
Grades will be assigned on a ten point scale (90's A; 80's B; 70's C; 60's D; 50's and below F). Honor System: I expect you to conform to the Longwood University Honor System as contained in the Student Handbook. All material handed in to me, including on-line work, falls under the honor code. Homework: Generally homework in this class will come in two flavors: homework that is to be handed in and homework that will not be handed in. It is very important that you keep up with both types of homework.
Quizzes: About every two weeks we will have a quiz. The quizzes will be based on your homework and our in-class discussions. The quizzes will be given out of class thus I will give a time frame during which you can take the quiz. I will try to give at least one class period notice for an upcoming quiz (please see the Class Pace and Assignments page for the latest information on quiz dates). Once a quiz has been graded and returned to the students, there will be no make-ups for that quiz, period. I will drop your lowest quiz grade when computing your quiz average. Make-up On-Line Work and In-Class Quizzes: Because I will be dropping your lowest grade for computation of your Quiz average and you have plenty of time to complete your Hand-In Homework, there will not be any make-up quizzes or homework. If you have a legitimate University sponsored event in which you must participate (such as a sporting event) scheduled on the same days as a quiz, then please see me about taking the quiz early. Also, if a hand-in assignment is due on a day when you will not be able to come to class, then please make sure you hand in your assignment to me before the class meeting. In-Class Exams: A minimum of a one week notice will be given for exam dates. Please see the class schedule below for the tentative exam dates (for more detailed information about test dates see the Class Pace and Assignments page). Except in the case of an emergency, a make-up exam must be scheduled before the scheduled exam date. If the exam has already been given and you have not previously scheduled a make-up, then you will receive a zero on that exam. Final Exam: The final exam for this course will be comprehensive. You cannot miss the final. Failure to take the final exam will automatically result in an F grade for the course. Please see me as soon as possible if you have a conflict with the final exam date. Final Exam Dates: The final exam date is Friday, December 12, 3:00-5:30 a.m. You can find the scheduled final exam dates for all your classes at this link. If you have a conflict with the final exam date and need to reschedule, please see me as soon as possible. Mathematics Cultural Points (cults): In order to receive the full 5% credit for mathematics cultural points you must earn at least 8 cults. To determine how to earn cults please click here. All cult submissions must be received by Friday, December 5. In addition, any cults that you submit as a write-up to a planned event (e.g., a colloquium), must be received no later than 2 class days after the event occurs. Please note the deadline for obtaining approval for an article to present is Friday, November 21. Extra Credit: Extra Credit will NOT be given, period. Attendance & Excused Absences: You are expected to attend every class. If you miss classes it will most likely be reflected in your grades (i.e. you will perform poorly). The following college attendance policy will be followed per the Class Attendance section of the Academic Regulations chapter of the Longwood University Undergraduate Catalog: Missing 10% of class meetings may result in a lowering of one letter grade. Missing 25% of class meetings for any reason will result in an automatic “F” for the course. Absences are excused only for illness, college sponsored activities, and recognizable emergencies. You must have the proper documentation for an excused absence. Student Health Services can provide documentation only for students hospitalized locally or absent at the direction of Student Health Services personnel. You must also assume full responsibility for all material covered during your absence, including scheduling any early in-class quizzes or make-up exams. A grade of "0" will be assigned for all work missed due to unexcused absences. Resources for Students Learning Statistics:
Office of Disability Services:
Any student who
feels s/he may need
an accommodation based on the impact of a
physical, psychological, medical, or learning
disability should contact me privately.
If you have not already done so, please contact
Longwood's Office of
Disability Support Services
to register for
services.
Class Schedule: Below is a very tentative class schedule. This schedule may change due to class pace, etc. However, it is provided here for your information. For a more detailed schedule depending on our actual classroom interaction please see the Class Pace and Assignments page.
|
|
Dr. L's Homepage Longwood Department of Mathematics and Computer Science Longwood College of Arts & Sciences Longwood University Home Page |