PBIS 189 – Introduction to StatisticsSpring 2006
Instructor: Asõk? R?man?yake
Office: Swart 223
Office Hours: Monday 12:40 – 1:50; Tuesday 12:40-2:50; Wednesday 9:10 – 10:10(or by appointment). If you cannot make my office hours, please feel free to make an appointment or use e-mail to ask questions.
Phone: 424-2305
Email: ramanaya<at>uwosh.edu
Web: http://www.uwosh.edu/faculty_staff/ramanaya/
Course Objectives
This course concentrates on the practice of statistics as a tool for learning about the real world. Through this course, the successful student will develop:
- a mature awareness of the nature and value of statistics, including its ability to draw meaningful conclusions in the face of uncertainty;
- interest and aptitude in applying this area of mathematics to issues from many areas of human inquiry;
- the ability to perform accurate calculations and evaluations using tools and techniques from probability, descriptive statistics, statistical estimation, statistical distribution, inferential statistics, correlation, and regression;
- a sound, critical approach to interpreting statistics, including an awareness of both the legitimate uses and possible misuses of statistical information;
- an ethical perspective concerning the practice of statistics;
- facility with one or more statistical software package;
- improved proficiency in the art of clearly presenting mathematical information, in both written and oral form.
Prerequisites
67-100 with a grade of C or above.
Credit cannot be earned for both PBIS-189 and 67-201.
Textbook
The Basic Practice of Statistics third edition by David S. Moore
To access Sample Questions and Answers and many other useful online resources, visit Website: http://bcs.whfreeman.com/bps3e/
Calculator
A scientific calculator is required. Guides to TI-83/TI-85/TI-86/TI-32 are posted on D2L. Please bring your calculator to class everyday.
Grading
- Three exams (each 100 points)
- Quizzes (100 points)
- Projects (45 points)
- Attendance (15 points)
- Class participation (15 points)
- Random In-Class Assignments + Homework (75 points)
Quizzes and Exams
A quiz will be given almost every Friday. Some of the quizzes will be group quizzes. Only students who have attended both previous 2 class periods will be allowed to work in groups during these quizzes. Tentative dates are listed on the schedule, but these may change without warning.
Review solutions from previous homework and previous class’ material to prepare for quizzes. Some of the questions will be similar to online quizzes and the questions from homework. The lowest quiz grade will be dropped. Quizzes may not be made up.
Make-up exams will be given only in special circumstances. Midterm exams can be made-up for students who notify me (with appropriate proof) at least two days before the exam of their unavoidable absence.
All the quizzes and exams are closed book. Calculators are allowed for all exams, however sharing them is not allowed.
Minitab projects
We will be using the Windows version of Minitab throughout this course. Minitab is available on the UWO network. No prior experience with Minitab is expected or needed — Minitab is very user-friendly and you will learn as we go. There will be at least three projects. The details of these will be given later.
Class Participation
Throughout the class, I ask that you periodically volunteer answers, volunteer to come to the front of the class to demonstrate on the board some topic of discussion, and contribute to the overall learning environment.
The purpose of class participation is to help you become more involved with the material and learning process.
Class Participation Points
Each time you volunteer an answer, come up to the front of the class to demonstrate some class topic, ask a question, or in some other way add positively to the learning environment, write it down on your Class Participation sheet. Record the date, time, and a short description of what you did. Don't record ordinary participation, like raising your hand when I ask something like, "Who here has a home PC?" Vague, non-specific, or incomplete entries will not receive full credit.
To get the most credit for your class participation entries, be sure to record the date and time and be specific in your description of what you did. For example, don't make a vague entry that says "answered a question." Instead, for example, have an entry like this: "Feb 12th 10:03 am Answered question on interpretation of the slope."
At the end of class on days when you wrote something down, turn in the sheet to me. I will assign a point value to the entries on your card, record them, and then turn the card back to you at the start of the next class day.
The sheet is due at the end of the class on days on which you participated. Don't forget to turn it in, or you won't get the points.
The maximum number of Class Participation points you can accumulate is 15. I may assign any point value to each of your class participation entries.
An Example Class Participation sheet
| 4-Mar | 1:55pm | Volunteered to go up to the front of the class and record the data on the board |
|---|---|---|
| 15-Mar | 2:05pm | Answered the class discussion question, "Why is randomization important?" |
| 6-Apr | 2:30pm | Asked the question, "Why are means less variable than individual values?" |
| 28-Apr | 1:50pm | Brought a newspaper clipping on a misleading graph to class |
Homework
Homework will be assigned daily. Some problems will be graded. There will be no late homework. Some quiz problems will be very similar to the assigned homework problems.
Attendance
Attendance is mandatory. You are responsible for all the announcements, changes, course information, and topics that I cover in class.
| Grade | A | A/B | B | B/C | C | C/D | D | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cut off out 475 pts | 450 | 425 | 400 | 375 | 350 | 325 | 300 | <300 |
| Cut off (%) | 90 | 85 | 80 | 75 | 70 | 65 | 60 | < 60 |
Preparation
You will be given reading assignments intended to prepare you for each lecture. In addition to the reading, you will need to complete homework assignments outside scheduled hours. You should be prepared to ask questions and participate in lectures.
Study Hints
The course moves at a rapid pace. It can be very difficult to catch up if you fall behind. My expectation is that you will spend approximately 8-10 hours/week of your time on this class outside of the lecture time. You should reserve at least one hour per week to look over your notes, review for quizzes, and formulate questions about the material, in addition to time reading the textbook and working on assignments. It is important that you spend this time wisely and that you ask for help early when you are struggling. Previous students in the class and I offer the following very simple but often-ignored pieces of advice for doing well in the course:
- Come to class; ask questions
- Do the homework daily.
- Always seek help if you are having difficulty. Don't get behind
- Don't get overconfident
- It is best to read assigned chapters before lecture.
- Watching someone else solve problem you have not attempted will do little to improve your problem-solving skills.
- Take advantage of the office hours of your lecturer.
- Have fun!
- Think!!
Tentative Schedule
| Date | Material | In class | Homework | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M | 30-Jan | Chapter 1 | ||
| W | 1-Feb | Chapter 1 | ||
| F | 3-Feb | Chapter 2 | Quiz 1 | |
| M | 6-Feb | Computer Lab | Halsey Computer Lab | |
| W | 8-Feb | Chapter 2 | ||
| F | 10-Feb | Chapter 3 | Quiz 2 | |
| M | 13-Feb | Chapter 3 | ||
| W | 15-Feb | Chapter 3 | ||
| F | 17-Feb | Chapter 4 | Quiz 3 | |
| M | 20-Feb | Chapter 4 | ||
| W | 22-Feb | Chapter 5 | ||
| F | 24-Feb | Chapter 5 | Quiz 4 | |
| M | 27-Feb | Chapter 5 | ||
| W | 1-Mar | Review | ||
| F | 3-Mar | Exam I- Ch. 1-5 | ||
| M | 6-Mar | Chapter 7 | ||
| W | 8-Mar | Chapter 7 | ||
| F | 10-Mar | Chapter 7 | Quiz 5 | |
| M | 13-Mar | Spring Break | ||
| W | 15-Mar | Spring Break | ||
| F | 17-Mar | Spring Break | ||
| M | 20-Mar | Chapter 8 |
| Date | Material | In class | |
|---|---|---|---|
| W | 22-Mar | Chapter 8 | |
| F | 24-Mar | Chapter 8 | Quiz 6 |
| M | 27-Mar | Chapter 9 | |
| W | 29-Mar | Chapter 9 | |
| F | 31-Mar | Chapter 10 | Quiz 7 |
| M | 3-Apr | Chapter 10 | |
| W | 5-Apr | Review | |
| F | 7-Apr | Exam II- Ch. 7-10 | |
| M | 10-Apr | Chapter 13 | |
| W | 12-Apr | Chapter 13 | |
| F | 14-Apr | Chapter 14 | Quiz 8 |
| M | 17-Apr | Chapter 14 | |
| W | 19-Apr | Chapter 14 | |
| F | 21-Apr | Chapter 15 | Quiz 9 |
| M | 24-Apr | Chapter 16 | |
| W | 26-Apr | Chapter 16 | |
| F | 28-Apr | Chapter 17 | Quiz 10 |
| M | 1-May | Chapter 17 | |
| W | 3-May | Chapter 18 | |
| F | 5-May | Chapter 18 | Quiz11 |
| M | 8-May | Chapter 19 | |
| W | 10-May | Review | |
| F | 12-May | Exam III- Ch.6-8 |