Math 301 Introduction to Probability
and Statistics
Spring
2015
Section
001 10:20 to 11:20, M W F
Instructor: Dr. Chris Edwards Phone: 948-3969 Office: Swart 123
Classroom: Swart 14 Text: Probability and Statistics, 8th edition, by Devore. Earlier
editions of the text are also acceptable. Link to
Day By Day notes.
Recommended
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. We will also use computer software, such
as MINITAB, to perform statistical work.
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 |
53 pts. |
March 9 |
1, 2, 3.1 to
3.3, 4.1 to 4.2 |
|
Exam 2 |
Distributions |
53 pts. |
April 16-17
[Testing Center] |
3, 4, 5 |
|
Exam 3 |
Inference |
53 pts. |
May 15 |
7, 8 |
|
Group
Presentations |
15 Points Each |
60 pts. |
Various |
|
|
Homework |
9 Points Each |
81 pts. |
Mostly Weekly |
|
Grades: Grades will be assigned by the
following schedule.
|
Grade |
Points
(Percent) |
Grade |
Points
(Percent) |
Grade |
Points
(Percent) |
|
A |
270 (90 %) |
B- |
231 (77 %) |
D+ |
189 (63 %) |
|
A- |
261 (87 %) |
C+ |
219 (73 %) |
D |
180 (60 %) |
|
B+ |
249 (83 %) |
C |
210 (70 %) |
D- |
171 (57 %) |
|
B |
240 (80 %) |
C- |
201 (67 %) |
F |
170 or fewer |
Homework: I will collect three homework
problems approximately once a week. The due dates are listed on the course
outline below. While I will only be grading three 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 donÕt just put down a numerical answer; I want to see how you did the problem. (You wonÕt get
full credit for just numerical answers.) The method you use, and your
description of your work, is much more important to me than the final answer.
Presentations: There will be four presentations,
each worth 15 points. The descriptions of the presentations are in the Day By Day
Notes. I will assign you to your groups for these presentations, because I want
to avoid you having the same members each time. I expect each person in a group
to contribute to the work; however, 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 – Data Displays
(February 20). 2 – Probability (March 6). 3 – Central Limit Theorem
(April 22). 4 – Statistical Hypothesis Testing (May 13).
Office Hours: 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 Spring
2015 semester are 10:20 to 11:00 Tuesday, 2:00 to 3:00 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 dayÕs material. That means you will benefit most by having read each
section of the text and the Day By Day notes before
class.
My idea of education is that one learns by doing. I believe
that you must be engaged in the learning process to learn well. Therefore, I
view my job as a teacher not as 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 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.
|
Monday |
Wednesday |
Friday |
|
February
2 Day 1 |
February 4 Day
2 |
February 6 Day
3 |
|
February
9 Day 4 |
February 11
Day 5 |
February 13
Day 6 |
|
February
16 Day 7 |
February 18
Day 8 |
February 20
Day 9 |
|
February
23 Day 10 |
February 25
Day 11 |
February 27
Day 12 |
|
March
2 Day 13 |
March 4 Day 14 |
March 6 Day 15 |
|
March
9 Day 16 |
March 11 Day
17 |
March 13 Day
18 |
|
March
16 Day 19 |
March 18 Day
20 |
March 20 Day
21 |
|
March
30 Day 22 |
April 1 Day 23 |
April 3 Day 24 |
|
April
6 Day 25 |
April 8 Day 26 |
April 10 Day
27 |
|
April
13 Day 28 |
April 15 Day
29 |
April 17 Days
30 and 31 |
April 20 Day 32 |
April
22 Day 33 |
April
24 |
|
April
27 Day 34 |
April 29 Day
35 |
May 1 Day 36 |
|
May
4 Day 37 |
May 6 |
May 8 Day 39 |
|
May
11 Day 40 |
May 13 |
May 15 Day 42 |
Link
to Homework for Spring semester.
Managed
by: chris edwards
Last
updated January 10, 2015