Math 301 Introduction to Probability and Statistics:
Fall 2006
Section 001 3:00 to 4:30, M W
Instructor: Dr. Chris Edwards
Phone: 424-1358 or 948-3969
Office: Swart 123
Classroom: Swart 102
Text: Probability & Statistics for Engineers & Scientists,8th edition, by Walpole, Myers, Myers, and Ye.
Required Calculator: TI-83, TI-83 Plus (or TI-84 Plus), by Texas Instruments. Other TI graphics calculators (like the TI-86) do not have the same statistics routines we will be using and may cause you troubles.
Catalog Description
Elementary probability models, discrete and continuous random variables, sampling and sampling distributions, estimation, and hypothesis testing. Prerequisite: Mathematics 172 with a grade of C or better.
Course Objectives
The goal of statistics is to gain understanding from data. This course focuses on critical thinking and active learning. Students will be engaged in statistical problem solving and will develop intuition concerning data analysis, including the use of appropriate technology. Specifically students will develop
- an awareness of the nature and value of statistics
- a sound, critical approach to interpreting statistics, including possible misuses
- facility with statistical calculations and evaluations, using appropriate technology
- effective written and oral communication skills
Grading
Final grades are based on these 300 points:
|
Topic |
Points |
Tentative Date |
Chapters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Exam 1 |
Summaries, Probability |
50 pts. |
October 16 |
1-3 |
Exam 2 |
Distributions |
50 pts. |
November 8 |
4-6 |
Exam 3 |
Inference |
50 pts. |
December 13 |
8-10 |
Group Presentations |
15 Points Each |
60 pts. |
Various |
|
Homework |
9 Points Each |
90 pts. |
Mostly Weekly |
|
Final grades are assigned as follows:
| 270 pts. or more | A (90 %) |
| 255 pts. or more | AB (85 %) |
| 240 pts. or more | B (80 %) |
| 225 pts. or more | BC (75 %) |
| 210 pts. or more | C (70 %) |
| 180 pts. or more | D (60 %) |
| 179 pts. or less | F |
Homework
I will collect 3 homework problems approximately once a week. The due dates are listed on the course outline below. While I will only be grading 3 problems, I presume that you will be working on many more than just the three I assign. I suggest that you work together in small groups on the homework for this class. What I expect is a well thought-out, complete discussion of the problem. Please don't just put down a numerical answer; I want to see how you did the problem. (You won't get full credit for just numerical answers.) The method you use is much more important to me than the final answer. To aid in your study groups, I will be distributing a class roll of both sections I am teaching this semester.
Presentations
There will be four presentations, each worth 15 points. The descriptions of the presentations are on the Days301 file. I will assign you to your groups for these presentations randomly, but I want to avoid you having the same members each time. I expect each person in a group to contribute to the work; you can allocate the work in any way you like. If a group member is not contributing, see me as soon as possible so I can make a decision about what to do. The topics are: 1 – Displays (September 20). 2 - Probability (October 4). 3 - Central Limit Theorem (November 20). 4 - Statistical Hypothesis Testing (December 11).
Office hours are times when I will be in my office to help you. There are many other times when I am in my office. If I am in and not busy, I will be happy to help. My office hours for Fall 2006 semester are 1:50 to 2:50 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, or by appointment.
Philosophy
I strongly believe that you, the student, are the only person who can make yourself learn. Therefore, whenever it is appropriate, I expect you to discover the mathematics we will be exploring. I do not feel that lecturing to you will teach you how to do mathematics. I hope to be your guide while we learn some mathematics, but you will need to do the learning. I expect each of you to come to class prepared to digest the dayís material. That means you will benefit most by having read each section of the text before class.
My idea of education is definitely not "Teaching is telling and learning is listening". I believe that you must be active in the learning process to learn effectively. Therefore, I view my job as a teacher as not telling you the answers to the problems we will encounter, but rather pointing you in a direction that will allow you to see the solutions yourselves. To accomplish that goal, I will work to find different interactive activities for us to work on. Your job is to use me, your text, your friends, and any other resources to become adept at the material. Remember, the goal is to learn mathematics, not to pass the exams. (Incidentally, if you have truly learned the material, the test results will take care of themselves.)
Homework Assignments: (subject to change if we discover difficulties as we go)
Homework 1, due September 18 |
Chapter 1: 1.18 (use technology) p. 28 |
Homework 2, due September 27 |
Chapter 2: 2.8 p. 38 |
Homework 3, due October 4 |
Chapter 2: 2.120 p. 74 |
Homework 4, due October 11 |
Chapter 3: 3.30 p. 90 |
Homework 5, due October 30 |
Chapter 5: 5.82 p. 167 |
Homework 6, due November 6 |
Chapter 6: 6.26 (both exact and approx.) p. 193 |
Homework 7, due November 20 |
Chapter 8: 8.35 p. 253 |
Homework 8, due November 27 |
Chapter 8: 8.50 p. 265 |
Homework 9, due December 4 |
Chapter 9: 9.92 p. 316 |
Homework 10, due December 11 |
Chapter 10: 10.14 p. 337 |
Monday |
Wednesday |
|---|---|
September 4 |
September 6 Day 1 |
September 11 Day 2 |
September 13 Day 3 |
September 18 Day 4 |
September 20 Day 5 |
September 25 Day 6 |
September 27 Day 7 |
October 2 Day 8 |
October 4 Day 9 |
October 9 Day 10 |
October 11 Day 11 |
October 16 Day 12 |
October 18 Day 13 |
October 23 Day 14 |
October 25 Day 15 |
October 30 Day 16 |
November 1 Day 17 |
November 6 Day 18 |
November 8 Day 19 |
November 13 Day 20 |
November 15 Day 21 |
November 20 Day 22 |
November 22 |
November 27 Day 23 |
November 29 Day 24 |
December 4 Day 25 |
December 6 Day 26 |
December 11 Day 27 |
December 13 Day 28 |
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Managed by: Chris Edwards
edwards<at>uwosh.edu
Last updated August 15, 2006