University of Vermont - Department of Mathematics & Statistics

University of Vermont - Department of Mathematics & Statistics
STAT 141 Basic Statistical Methods Syllabus – Spring 2016
Instructor: Kevin Beard
Office: 105 Mansfield House
Office Hours: See Blackboard
E-mail: [email protected]
Office Phone: 656-4188
Course Overview:
Description:
Basic Statistical Methods provides an introduction to basic statistical concepts and methods, with an emphasis
placed on developing a thorough understanding of terminology, concepts and ideas. The goal of this course is
for students to become statistically literate and learn how to apply this knowledge in diverse situations while
providing the necessary foundation for their future study of statistics. Statistical software is used.
Learning Goals
1. To learn how to describe and explore sets of data both numerically and graphically.
2. To learn the normal model for the distribution of a single variable and the linear regression model for the
relationship between two variables.
3. To learn the basic ideas of good experimental design and good sampling design
4. To learn the fundamental ideas of statistical inference for means and proportions including both hypothesis
testing and confidence intervals
5. To learn how to interpret confidence intervals and P-values in the context of real problems.
6. To learn how to be critical consumers of statistical studies reported in the media
Method:
Reading the text and participating in class will be essential parts of this course. Reading a technical text, is a skill
that may be new too many of you...going forward, in your education and career, this is often your primary
source of acquiring knowledge. This book was chosen specifically for its readability. You will gain much
statistical knowledge directly from the text and we discuss key points and tricky topics during class. Many of the
concepts in introductory statistics are commonsensical and therefore don’t warrant much explanation beyond
your intuition and what is provided in the text. Reading Assignment Questions (RAQ’s) will be assigned for each
chapter and due the evening before the class when that chapter will be discussed.
Class meeting times will be reserved primarily for discussions and activities around key concepts often
generated by student questions and RAQ results, mixed with brief topic specific lectures. Instead of passively
listening to a class-length lectures, you will be engaged in peer-to-peer discussions, activities and problems.
Being an active participant in productive discussions and meaningful activities cannot happen if you are not
“prepared and engaged”. Let’s make the most out of our limited meeting time.
Materials:
Textbook/online Portal:
“Intro Stats”, DeVeaux, Velleman, Bock (DVB), 4th Edition, Pearson/Addison Wesley, 2009. There is also a
“binder version” titled “Intro to Stats - Second Custom Edition for UVM" this the same as the 4th edition of the
book...just in binder form. You will also need an access code to use MyStatLab (MSL), our Homework Portal.
This comes with the bookstore text package, or can be purchased separately. An e-book version of the text
automatically comes with the access code to MyStatLab. A hard copy of the text is also on reserve at the library.
iClicker:
iClickers will be used for in class feedback, to generate discussion and gauge understanding. You are expected
bring your iClicker to class every day. They are available at the UVM book store. We will not be set up for using
iClicker GO (the smartphone app version.) To correctly register your iClicker use the link in Blackboard.
Calculator:
You will need a graphing calculator for this course. I recommended a Texas Instruments TI-83, 83+ or 84 which I
will work with in class. If you elect to use another calculator, make sure that it has the normal, t, chi-square, and
binomial distributions…as well a user manual! You are responsible for knowing how to use your calculator. A
calculator is mandatory and needs to be with you at each class. For any Exam, there will be no sharing of
calculators.
Software:
We will be working on computer based labs use the software package JMP Pro Ver. 12 (available as a free
download from the UVM Software Archive https://www.uvm.edu/software/ ) for outside of class. Get this
installed ASAP!
Grading:
Your grade for the course will be based on the following scheme:
Item*
RAQs
iClicker
Weight %
5
5
Grading
% Participation
% Participation
Drops**
2
2
MSL HW
JMP Labs
Quizzes
Mid Term Exam
Final Exam
10
10
10
30
30
Graded
Graded
Graded
Graded
Graded
2
1
1
0
0
*There will be a semester schedule posted on Blackboard. Please note the schedule is subject to change.
**Please note that “drops” allowed for certain categories are there to account for unforeseen issues you may
encounter throughout the semester (power outages, computer problems, brief illness, missing class, etc.)
Please do not request additional accommodations (drops, extensions, etc.) without first getting recognition of
your circumstances from you College’s Dean’s office or Student Services. They will contact me with the
appropriate accommodation.
Final Grades will be rounded and the final letter grades will be determined as follows. No individual adjustments
will be made and there is no “extra credit” work…please do not ask.
A+
A
A-
97-100
94-96
90-93
B+
B
B-
87-89
84-86
80-83
C+
C
C-
77-79
74-76
70-73
D+
D
D-
67-69
64-66
60-63
Reading Assignment Questions (RAQs):
These are short assignments are designed to help me ascertain what you took away from the reading and where
to focus that day’s lecture. Each RAQ will also have a “Free Response” question asking what you struggled with
and would like to see covered in class that day. RAQs will be assigned for each chapter and due by 11:59 PM the
day before the lecture when that chapter will be first be discussed. These will be assigned through MyStatLab as
Quizzes however not graded as such. Full credit will be given for participation of the RAQ, not graded
right/wrong, however this policy may change. The proportion of RAQ’s in which you participate will determine
your grade for the semester. Two RAQs will be dropped. Your genuine efforts here will be rewarded with a
more enriching class experience.
iClicker Questions (iClicker):
Each class period there will be clicker questions interspersed with lecture, examples and activities. To earn credit
for the day, you must participate in at least 75% of the questions. The proportion of days on which you receive
credit will determine your grade for the semester. Two days will be dropped. Again, your genuine efforts here
will be rewarded with a more enriching class experience.
MyStatLab Homework (MSL):
There will be weekly online homework assignments through MyStatLab. All assignments must be completed by
11:59 PM on the scheduled due date. The two lowest scores will be dropped. Late assignments will not be
downgraded as noted within MyStatLab.
JMP Labs (JMP):
There will be four JMP labs assigned throughout the semester. Students will work on these outside of class time
and may work with a single partner, each student’s name must be on the lab to receive credit. Labs must be
turned in via Blackboard. The lowest lab score will be dropped however you will be responsible for JMP
knowledge from all four labs. Late labs will not be accepted for credit.
Quizzes:
These quizzes will often be very similar to the Recommended Problems. If you are keeping current these should
be straightforward. These are timed and will be given at the end of class. This will allow students to with
ACCESS accommodations to schedule their quizzes. There will not be make-ups for quizzes, the lowest quiz
score will dropped.
Mid-Term Exam:
The mid-term exam is scheduled for the week prior to spring break. This may potentially be an evening exam, if
so a date will be announced within the first week of the semester.
Final Exam:
The final exam will be cumulative however will emphasize material for the latter part of the course. The exam
will be given as per the UVM Final Exam schedule.
DVB Recommended Problems:
Additional recommended problems will be assigned but not collected for each chapter. You are STRONGLY
encouraged to work all of these problems since many of them are very similar to the quiz and exam questions.
Full solutions, not just answers, to all these problems (actually all odd numbered problems) will be part of MSL.
These are much more effective than MSL problems in preparing and practicing the material…I might say they are
essential for doing well in this course. These will be posted on Blackboard.
Study Advice:
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READ THE BOOK…COME TO CLASS…BE AN ACTIVE LEARNER!
Learning comes from doing. Doing your homework especially the additional recommended problems
conscientiously will greatly increase your chance of success in this class.
Find or make a study group.
DON’T fall behind….we’re moving at a brisk pace!
Get help, when needed, ASAP!
Plan to spend 2 hours outside of class for each hour of class
Help Outside Class:
There is a TA for this course. Who it will be and their location will be announced in the first week of
class when their schedule is set.
Office Hours for all the TAs can be found here.
.
Peer Tutoring through the Learning Coop is available.
Academic Assistance: In keeping with University policy, any student with a documented disability interested in utilizing
accommodations should contact ACCESS, the office of Disability Services on campus. ACCESS works with students and
faculty to create reasonable and appropriate accommodations via an accommodation letter to professors with
suggested accommodations as early as possible each semester. Contact ACCESS: A170 Living/Learning Center; 802-6567753; [email protected]; or www.uvm.edu/access.
Expectations and UVM Policies:
Students are expected to act in accordance to the rules outlined in the University’s Policy Statements.
 Laptops, Cell phones, iPhones, iPods, iAnything: To be respectful of the learning environment and silence
your electronics during class. Don’t text, check your phone, IM, or surf during class; if you have a legitimate
need to do these things, leave the room quietly. If you do these things in class, you will be asked to leave.
 Religious Holidays: If you need to miss class to observe a religious holiday, please submit the dates of your
absence in writing by the end of the second full week of the semester.
 Absences: If you are missing class due to a serious personal/health issue and you believe that the
circumstances require some flexibility in course expectations, you must contact your college’s Student
Services. Once I receive their documentation, I will consider their recommendations for adjusting course
expectations. If you are missing class due to a University sponsored activity, you must provide an official
University letter outlining the dates and purpose. I will determine if any adjustments to course expectations
will be necessary.
 Academic Integrity: Your commitment as a student to learning is evidenced by your enrollment at the
University of Vermont. The Code of Academic Integrity requires you to be honest in all your academic course
work. Faculty members are required to report all suspected infractions to the Center for Student Ethics and
Standards. Cheating or plagiarism (presenting the work of another as your own, or the use of another
person’s ideas without giving proper credit) may result in a failing grade in the course and sanctions by the
University. For this class, all assignments are to be completed by the individual student unless otherwise
specified. Academic Integrity Policy
 Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities
 FERPA Rights Disclosure
 Diversity at UVM and in the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences