Math 170/171 Syllabus

Intro to Statistics / Concepts of Statistics

Office: C223

Phone: 875-7200, ext 490

Summer Semester, 1995

Section 01: 8:00-9:50 am, MTWR, S137

Text:

Student Audience:

Students in business programs transferring to certain schools should take Math 170, Introduction to Statistics. Students not in business programs, or those in business programs transferring to certain schools should take Math 171, Concepts of Statistics. See the instructor or a counselor to know which class is appropriate for you.

Prerequisite:

The prerequisite for Math 170 is successful completion of Math 160, Finite Mathematics, with a "C" or better or the consent of the Associate Dean of the Industrial Technology and Mathematics Division.

The prerequisite for Math 171 is successful completion of Math 116, College Algebra, with a "C" or better or the consent of the Associate Dean of the Industrial Technology and Mathematics Division.

Course Description:

Mathematics 170, Introduction to Statistics, and Mathematics 170, Concepts of Statistics, include instruction in mathematics topics common to the standard college non-calculus based Elementary Statistics course. General objectives in the course are to increase the student's mastery of the deductive nature of reasoning, to understand the nature of critical thinking, to increase the student's ability in problem solving, and to increase the student's ability to work with others towards a common goal.

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion, the student will demonstrate proficiency and understanding in the following topics:

Descriptive statistics for univariate and bivariate cases
Basic probability including simple and compound events
Discrete probability distributions
Normal probability distribution
Central Limit Theorem and variability
Inferential statistics for one and two populations
Analysis of Variance

Attendance Policy:

By its very nature, mathematics is a cumulative subject. For this reason it is imperative that you attend all class sessions. If, for some reason, you are unable to attend a session, it is your responsibility to keep up with the lecture and assigned work. Make up exams may be arranged on a case-by-case basis by contacting the instructor before the date of the exam.

Grading Policy:

Grades will be assigned on the basis of performance, attendance, and attitude. Performance will be measured by exams, quizzes, homework, writings, and application projects. The grading scale is as follows: 90-100% A, 80-89% B, 70-79% C, 60-69% D, below 60% F. Any student who stops attending without dropping will either be dropped administratively or receive a grade of "F".

Exams are worth 100 points. There will be a semester project which will be worth 100 points and will consist of forming a hypothesis, collecting the data to test the claim, performing the test, analyzing the results, drawing conclusions, writing a written report, and making an oral presentation of the results to the class. Miscellaneous assignments may be given. In general, homework will not be collected, but many of the questions on the exams will come from the problems in the book. A notebook should be kept which contains every problem worked in class as well as any comments that are appropriate. In general, it should contain everything written on the chalkboard. Be sure to bring your notebook if you come to the instructor or a tutor for help. Students will be able to use the notebook on the last part of the final, so it is strongly recommended that the notebook be complete.

Type of Instruction:

Lecture, discussion, problem solving, and group work will be used. Students should come to class with a prepared list of questions. The material will be covered very quickly because of the limited time. It is unlikely that if students don't have questions, the instructor will be able to take much time to review.

Topics to be covered:

Introduction - The nature of probability and statistics including types of random variables, types of data, techniques of data collection and sampling.
Descriptive Statistics - Organizing data and presenting graphically using histograms, frequency polygons, ogives, stem and leaf plots; Describing statistics using measures of central tendency, measures of variation, and measures of position.
Counting and Probability - Multiplication rules for counting, permutations, combinations, and tree diagrams; Sample spaces and probability rules for addition, multiplication, condititional probability, complementary events.
Probability Distributions - Mean, variance, expected value of a probability distribution; Binomial probabilities, Normal probabilities and applications, Central Limit Theorem, and the Normal Approximation to the Binomial distribution.
Confidence Intervals and Sample Sizes - For means and proportions.
Inferential Statistics - Single and two-population testing for means and proportions using the normal and student's t distributions.
Correlation and Regression - Scatter plots, correlation, regression and estimation, multiple regression.
Inferential Statistics - Single population variance using chi-square distribution. Applications of the chi-square including "goodness of fit" and tests for independence.
Analysis of Variance - F test, One-way and two-way ANOVAs, Scheffé and turkey tests.

Calculator:

The TI-82 graphing calculator will be incorporatated into the class. Use of this calculator will help aid the student in concentrating on the concepts of the material instead of the mechanical steps. Use of the calculator will allow the student to solve more problems in less time, and more difficult problems which would be too time consuming by hand.

Miscellaneous:

Help is available from the instructor during office hours or by appointment. Walk-ins are welcome whenever I am in my office. Many of the class activities will be group, use the other members of your group as a resource. There is help available through the Study Assistance Center (W142). If you need help, please get it as soon as possible, rather than waiting until it is too late.

Last updated: Saturday, June 10, 1995 at 3:35 pm
Send comments to james@richland.edu.