STATISTICS 120, SECTION 1
INTRODUCTORY STATISTICS
MARYVILLE COLLEGE, SPRING 2012
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Dan Ross
OFFICE: SSC 206
OFFICE PHONE: 981-8275
EMAIL: dan.ross@maryvillecollege.edu
OFFICE HOURS: M 1-1:50 p.m., W 10-10:50 a.m., R 11-11:50 p.m. F 1-1:50 p.m. and by
appointment
COURSE INFORMATION
CLASS MEETING TIMES:
MTWF 8:00 – 8:50 a.m. (Sutton 204)
PREREQUISITES: Math 105 or satisfactory performance on the first year/transfer
Mathematics Assessment.
REQUIRED MATERIALS: Introduction to the Practice of Statistics, 6th Ed.; Moore, McCabe, and
Craig, 2009. We will cover parts of chapters 1-6 and potentially 7 and 8.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Statistical information is ubiquitous in today’s world and is used to answer
questions in diverse areas. For example, consider the following:
1. Is a new drug effective in treating an illness (for example, migraines, depression, heart
disease)?
2. Are farms being managed in a sustainable way (and how do conventional farms compare
to organic farms)?
3. Given a student’s background, how likely is it that the student will succeed in an academic
program?
4. Are birth defects greater in tadpoles born downstream from a sewage treatment plant than
upstream?
5. How do Americans feel about healthcare?
6. What is the job outlook four years from now?
7. What attributes should a general manager of a baseball team most value in players?
The importance of many of these questions should help address why we should study
statistics at a liberal arts college (and we will repeatedly return to this). However, we’re still left
with the questions like when can we trust the data; what methods should be used to analyze a
set of data, and how do we most accurately interpret results?
Introductory Statistics develops quantitative, computational, and reasoning skills necessary to
answer the when, what, and how. Topics include sampling and data organization, measures
of central tendency and variability, correlation and linear regression, elementary probability,
sampling distributions, confidence intervals, and hypothesis testing. We will use technology
and statistical software to support statistical computation. Accurate interpretation of results will
also be emphasized.
COURSE GOALS:
The broad goals of this course align with the College Covenant
http://www.maryvillecollege.edu/students/handbook/section-one/. Through our work in this course, we
strive toward the tenets of scholarship, respect, and integrity. Specific goals for Introductory Statistics
include (connections to Core Curriculum goals in parentheses):



















To appreciate the presence of variability and understand its role in the decision making process (S2);
To understand the logic behind hypothesis testing and to interpret results;
To be able to explain what is meant by, and the differences between, the terms “non-significance”, “statistical
significance”, and “practical significance;”
To apply statistical reasoning to research and to everyday situations (S3, PG1, IU2).
To improve understanding of the role of statistical science in research (S3);
Use data and statistical thinking to draw inferences, make predictions, justify conclusions and identify and
explain misleading uses of data. (S1, V4)
Develop an understanding of the different methods of presenting data and the characteristics that determine
the selection of the most appropriate method.
Understand the difference between univariate, bivariate and categorical data and methods of presenting and
analyzing.
Produce data plots and lines of best fit using linear regression. Understand correlation and least-squares
measurement of fit.
Use probabilistic and statistical processes to understand the accurate construction of experiments, collection of
data, analysis of data and the production of logically consistent conclusions. (I1)
Know the characteristics of well-designed studies and understand the appropriate inclusion of randomness in a
study. (I1)
Understand construction of statistically valid experiments, including data collection and sampling. Discuss the
construction of appropriate hypothesis. (I1)
Develop an informal/intuitive understanding of the Law of Large Numbers, establish methods of concretely
illustrating the Law and address commonly held misconceptions related to the Law of Large Numbers.
Understand how sample statistics reflect population parameters and determine appropriate modeling. Explore
informal inferences that can appropriately be drawn from sample statistics.
Construct reports and descriptions of experiments that correctly incorporate and interpret confidence intervals.
Discuss, evaluate and propose corrections for fallacious presentation of data and outcomes of experiments.
Include specific examples from current print/web sources.
To gain competency with statistical software (Minitab);
To work together in a cooperative setting (S4);
To improve written and oral communication skills (S1);
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION: Classroom instruction will include lecture; discussion; individual,
pair, and group problem solving; and peer presentation. Active participation is expected in
every class period. Lab sessions will include teacher-led instruction on use of statistical
software as well as individual or paired exploration of the software.
CALCULATORS AND MINITAB: You should bring a calculator to class each day. You will need a
scientific calculator capable of 2-variable statistical calculations. One recommended calculator
is the TI-30XS Multiview. Graphing calculators may also be used. See the course Tartan site
for a list of acceptable calculators. Students may not share a calculator during tests or
quizzes.
The statistical software Minitab is used in this course for labs, projects, and homework
problems. Minitab is on the computers in the library and in the Math/CSC lab (SSC 204). You
can have Minitab for your personal computer by downloading a 30-day free trial version, or
renting it for six months for $29.99. For details on both options, see www.minitab.com.
WEBSITE: The web site for this course is a Tartan site elearn.maryvillecollege.edu. The site
includes course announcements, weekly Study Guides, exam reviews, project information,
labs, email addresses for your classmates, and much more. Get in the habit of checking the
site regularly for updates.
STUDY GUIDES: Each Monday a new Study Guide will be posted on the course website. These
guides include reading assignments from the text, homework assignments and information
about quizzes, labs, projects, and exams. You are responsible for checking the new Study
Guide each week and keeping up with the assignments.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING
QUIZZES/HOMEWORK (12% of final grade): You will take weekly quizzes based on the homework
assignment listed in the weekly Study Guides. Quiz problems will be closely related to
homework problems. There are NO make-up quizzes except for school-related absences.
EXAMS (48% of final grade): There will be three in-class exams, each worth 16% of your course
grade. Make-up exams will be given only in VERY exceptional circumstances. Tentative exam
dates are listed below, and any changes to these dates will be announced at least a week in
advance. If you know you will be missing an exam for a sport or other scheduled activity
please let me know at least two weeks in advance.
1. Exam 1 (Chapters 1-2): Friday, 2/24
2. Exam 2 (Chapters 3-4): Friday, 3/16 (this is the Friday before Spring Break)
3. Exam 3 (Chapters 5-7): Friday, 4/20
LABS (12% of final grade): Five Minitab computer labs will be assigned throughout the semester
with due dates announced in class and on the Study Guides. Labs turned in late will have 25%
of the grade deducted for each day late. You are encouraged to work on the labs with a
partner.
PROJECT (12% of final grade): One group project will be completed during the semester in which
you will collect, analyze and present real data. You will work on the projects in teams of three
people. All members of a team are expected to participate equally. Further information will be
provided when the projects are assigned. Project presentations will occur during the last week
of classes.
FINAL EXAM (16%): The final exam for this course is cumulative. The final is scheduled for
Tuesday, May 15th, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. You MUST take the final at this scheduled time.
GRADING POLICY: Numerical grades will be assigned as follows:
Points Assignment
Date
7 or 8 Each Quiz/Homework assignment
Each Friday
96
Exam 1
Friday, 2/24
96
Exam 2
Friday, 3/16 (prior to Spring Break)
96
Exam 3
Friday, 4/20
15
Lab 1
Approximately 2/10
14
Lab 2
Approximately 2/17
14
Lab 3
Approximately 2/24
14
Lab 4
Approximately 4/6
15
Lab 5
Approximately 5/4
72
Project
Week of 5/7 – 5/11
96
Final Exam
Tuesday, 5/15 at 3:30 p.m.
Final grades will be determined according to the following scale (600 possible):
A+ 581-600 B+ 521-540 C+ 461-480 D+ 401-420 F 360 or less
A 561-580 B 501-520 C 441-460 D 381-400
A - 541-560 B - 481-500 C - 421-440 D - 361-380
Grades will be posted on the Tartan. Keep all original assignments in case of discrepancies.
COURSE AND COLLEGE POLICIES
ATTENDANCE AND TARDINESS: Attendance at all classes is expected and highly recommended. Absence
from class does not exempt you from assignments that are due that day. Plan to remain in the
classroom for the entire class period. Attendance is mandatory for all project presentation days –
absences on those days will result in a grade penalty for your project. If you MUST miss a class, you are
responsible for getting the notes from a classmate. Each absence greater than four will result in the
reduction of one letter grade. Eight or more absences for any reason will result in an automatic F
for the course.
DEADLINES: Deadlines for all assignments are firm. All assignments are due at the beginning of class. Late
assignments (anything turned in after the first 10 minutes of class) will automatically be reduced by
10%. Any assignment that is more than one week late and any assignment not turned in by the time of
the final will not be accepted and a zero for the assignment will be recorded. Excuses for late
assignments will be received more favorably the earlier they are submitted. Unacceptable excuses
include having assignments or exams in other courses, experiencing printing or other technical
difficulties, having co-curricular events the night before the assignment is due, etc.
COMMUNICATION AND EXTRA HELP: You are always welcome at office hours for help with any questions
you may have about the course. For help at other times during the day, stop by or call my office to see if
I’m available. You can also contact me by email, but often I can better help you face to face and may
respond with a request that you come to see me. Note that I do not respond to email between 5 p.m.
and 8 a.m. You may make appointments to see me at other times if your schedule does not permit you
to attend my office hours. A tutor will also be available if you need additional help in this course.
My main method of contacting you will be to send you email messages through the Tartan and
to your Google account. Be sure to read all email messages from me and to check for them regularly. I
will also post announcements and other resources to the Tartan.
CLASSROOM CONDUCT: Please show respect for your instructor and your classmates by refraining from
distracting behaviors during class. Do not sleep or do work for other classes during class. Refrain from
talking with other students during class time unless instructed to do so. Turn off all cell phones, music
players, and other electronics that may create distractions. Laptops may be used for class purposes
only. If you have difficulties keeping any electronic devices from disrupting class, I reserve the right to
turn off the device and place it at the front of the classroom until the end of class. Tobacco products of
any kind are prohibited in class and in my office. Please be careful with any food or beverage you bring
to the classroom, and clean up all trash after class.
We will regularly meet in the computer lab (SSC 204). No food or drink (including water) is
allowed in the computer lab. Computers should be used for class purposes, and I reserve the right to
limit your computer use if you choose to use it for other purposes.
PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING: You are expected to do your own work. Never submit work of others, never
give unauthorized assistance to others, do not use unauthorized aides during exams and do not ask for
help from other faculty members without the approval of your professor. Plagiarism and cheating are
serious offenses that will not be tolerated. Explanations regarding offences and how they are handled
can be found in the MC Student Handbook at www.maryvillecollege.edu/students/handbook/sectioneight. You are expected to have read and understand these policies. Offenses on specific assignments,
quizzes, or exams will result in a score of 0 on the relevant assignment, and a letter of censure will be
placed in your college file. Repeat offenses will result in further disciplinary action, including the
possibility of failing the course.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Any student who feels s/he may need learning or physical accommodation(s)
based on the impact of a disability should contact Services for Students with Disabilities to discuss your
specific needs. Please contact Lori Hunter at 981-8124 to coordinate reasonable accommodations for
students with documented disabilities. The Disability Services office is located in the Learning Center in
Bartlett Hall 204. Undocumented disabilities will not be accommodated.