Intro to Statistics (MAT 1181)
Sean L. Forman
Spring 2006
Contact Information:
| Office: | 217 Barbelin (the wing with the bell tower) |
| Office Phone: | x3394 |
| Math Office: | x1540 |
| E-Mail: | sforman@sju.edu |
| MailBox: | In math office |
| Webpage: | http://www.sju.edu/~sforman |
Course Website: http://www.sju.edu/~sforman/courses/2006S_MAT_1181/
Office Hours:
| Monday | 1:00-3:00 |
| Wednesday and Friday | 9:00-10:00 |
Textbook: Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis, by Peck and Devore. We will cover most topics from Chapters 1 through 10. It is assumed that you have basic algebra skills and can recall some of the probability you learned in 1171. I will review with you outside of class as needed.
Goals and Prerequisites: This is a course in understanding and calculating statistics. Goals for the course include:
Total Points: 700 points,
Projects: 100 Points, I will assign 3-5 short projects designed around an important statistical concept. These projects will be either completed by yourself or in groups and may require the use to SPSS to complete.
Tests: 450 points, There will be three in-class exams (100 points each) and a cumulative final exam (150 points).
Quizzes: 150 points, There will be multiple, announced in-class quizzes. Probably more than ten. You will be allowed to drop a single quiz score. Also, no make-up quizzes will be allowed.
Homework, There will be no graded homework, but I will assign problems that I will expect you to do. Doing these problems will be a necessary preparation for the quizzes and exams.
Grading: My grading scale is 90% to 100% an A, 80% to 90% a B, 70% to 80% a C, 60% to 70% a D, and 60% or below will most likely result in an F for the course.
Attendance: Class time is why college costs big bucks. When testing you, I will assume that you have attended every class, and you are responsible for any material missed. Once you have missed three classes (for any reason), I will deduct ten points from your total of 700 points for every additional missed class. Showing up very late or leaving early from a class will count as a missed class.
What you should expect of me: You should expect me to show up for class on time prepared to give a well-planned, coherent lecture. I should place a high value on the 50 minutes of class time we have each day. I should realize that you have classes to get to after mine and not keep you late. I should have the homework and exams back to you in a reasonable amount of time and graded fairly and clearly. The homework assignments and test questions should be fair and checked for mistakes. I should be very interested in you learning the material and be willing to answer questions. I should always be at my office hours and my appointments.
What I expect of you: I expect you to show up for class on time ready to take notes and listen when I start lecturing. I expect you pay attention and take notes for the entire class period. If I should, on rare occassions, run over our allotted time, I expect you to not put away your materials and pack your backpacks until I've finished my lecture. I expect you to shut off any cell phones, beepers, radios, televisions, or alarm clocks you might be carrying. I expect you to come to my office hours if you are really stumped. You should arrive with questions in mind. I expect you to ask a lot of questions in class. I expect you to respect each other's questions. I expect you to spend at least 10 hours a week on this course. I expect you to do your homework neatly and on time. I expect you to follow the academic honesty policy.
Academic Honesty: You are expected to know and follow the University's academic honesty policy. Both copying other's work and allowing others to copy yours are violations of this policy. On exams, you are only permitted to use materials authorized by the instructor, and use of unauthorized materials or other forms of cheating will result in a 0 on the quiz or exam, the notification of the Vice President's office, and potentially an F in the course. Any straight copying of solutions for homework will result in a 0 on the homework set, and multiple offenses will result in the notification of the Vice President's office.
Students with Disabilities: If you have a documented disability (learning, physical, psychological) for which you are or may be requesting academic adjustments you are encouraged to contact Services for Students with Disabilities, Room 113 Science Center, 610-660-1774 as early as possible in the semester.
Technology: There is no
prescribed calculator for this course. However, I would discourage
you from using a calculator with the ability to do symbolic
manipulations (differentiate 
, etc.). These will not be allowed
on tests or quizzes, and you need to know how to do stuff like this by
hand. Graphing may be a useful feature to have, though few
calculators graph in 3D. We will also use a high-powered statistical
program, SPSS, several times during the semester and you will
want to use it on your own as well. It is included with your book and
installed on many university computers.
Some comments on how the course
will be run: We have a good deal of material to cover and limited
time, so the majority of the class period will be taken up by lecture.
We will have only limited time for in-class activities and for going
over homework problems. Homework is intended to be done outside of
class.
There are a number of things you can do to be organized. A
course binder should contain your completed homework, class notes, and
other course materials.
Webpage: My course webpage will contain information regarding homework, tests, and, review materials.
You will be notified of any necessary changes made to the syllabus.