Heartland Community College
Math / Science
Course Syllabus for Students
Spring 2013
Course Prefix and Number: Math 141 - 07
Course Title: Introduction to Statistics
Credit Hours: 4
Instructor Information:
Name: Gina Leffers
e-mail: Gina.Leffers@heartland.edu
Phone number: 309-268-8671 (leave message with secretary)
Office: ICN
Office hours: by appointment
Days and times the course meets: TR 8:00 – 9:50 am
Room: ICN 2401
Final Exam: Tuesday, May 14, 8:00 – 9:50 am
Introduction: Statistics is used in every walk of life, enabling life-long learners to make
informed decisions. Exposure to basic statistical ideas and experience in gathering, analyzing,
and interpreting data opens the door for a variety of future applications.
Catalog Description: Prerequisite: Completion of Math through Intermediate Algebra Level 1
or assessment. A course in statistics that introduces various topics in probability and statistics,
and demonstrates a variety of real life applications. Some of the topics covered are sampling
techniques and simulation, data organization, distributions, measure of central tendency and
variability, probability, estimation, and hypothesis testing. A graphing calculator is required
for this course (instruction will be based on a TI 83+).
Textbook: Triola (2008) Elementary Statistics Using the TI-83/84 Calculator 2nd Custom ed. for
Heartland Community College, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.
MyLabsPlus (MyStatLab): This online program is required. The access code is packaged with
the book when purchased from the bookstore. An access code must be purchased if you do not
purchase the book from the bookstore. This program offers math practice, tutorials, video
lessons, immediate feedback and free tutoring.
Course/lab outline:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Introduction
Graphs and Numerical Summaries
Probability
Distributions
Confidence Intervals
Hypothesis Testing
Correlation and Regression
Nonparametric Tests
ANOVA
Course Objectives (Learning Outcomes):
After completing this course the student should be able to achieve the following outcomes.
1. Organize and present data using statistical charts and graphs (e.g., histograms, stem and
leaf plots, scatter plots, estimation of best fit line, etc.).
2. Summarize and analyze a set of data (e.g., compute the mean, median, mode, variance,
standard deviation, correlation coefficients, etc.).
3. Construct frequency distributions for a given set of data and determine the mean, standard
deviation, variance, and expected value for these probability distributions.
4. Know and apply probability theory (e.g., counting techniques, probability laws,
conditional probability, independent events, etc.) to determine probabilities based on
sample data.
5. Know and apply probability and statistics principles and theorems (e.g., Central Limit
Theorem, Chebyshev’s Theorem, Empirical Rule, etc.).
6. Know and apply sampling techniques used to generate sampling distributions.
7. Determine probabilities (with respect to random variables) associated with sampling
distributions.
8. For various probability distributions, address questions about a population parameter
(based on sample data) by using the decision-making process of hypothesis testing.
9. Estimate the value of a population parameter with confidence intervals based on sample
data.
10. Know and apply concepts and techniques for conditions not previously addressed (e.g.,
establish and test hypotheses comparing population means or variances, analyze the
relationship between two variables to determine if there is a correlation between them,
analyze data which does not satisfy parametric assumptions, etc.).
General Education Outcomes:
CO1, CO2, CT1, CT2, DI1, DI3, PS1, PS2, PS3, PS4
FERPA Statement:
In order to be in compliance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and to
guarantee your privacy, I will not discuss your progress in this course with anyone besides you.
To help ensure this is the case, I will only communicate with you via email if you email me from
your official Heartland email address, or via MyLabsPlus.
Methods of Instruction:
The lectures/discussions/on-line practice will give the student the opportunity to ask questions
and receive feedback on the skills and concepts presented.
Method of Evaluation:
Homework (on-line, in MSL): 20%
4 Tests (written, in class):
15% each
Final Exam (comprehensive): 20%
IF YOU MUST MISS AN EXAM: There are no make-up exams. The first missed exam
percentage will be replaced with the percentage earned on the semester final. All other missed
exams will result in zeros.
Grading System: Grades will be assigned on the following scale.
A
B
C
D
F
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
less than 60%
Participation/Attendance:
Students are expected to attend all classes and participate meaningfully in the activities.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism:
Please refer to the student catalog.
Student Conduct:
Cell phones must be turned off and put away before class begins so that the rest of the class is
not disturbed during class time. No texting or making/accepting phone calls is allowed during
class time. Please make calls during the break or after class.
The classroom computers are for Math 141 coursework only. No other use of the computers is
acceptable.
You are responsible for being respectful of all other students and myself. Any behavior that is
inappropriate or disruptive to the class and the learning environment will not be tolerated. If
inappropriate behavior takes place, you will be warned. If the behavior continues, you will be
asked to leave the classroom for that period.
Please refer to student catalog for more specific policies.
Incompletes:
An incomplete grade may be given to a student who, by the withdrawal date, can reasonably
by expected to pass the course. Incompletes may be granted only when justified by extreme
circumstances (e.g., serious illness, accident, death or serious illness in the immediate family).
Incomplete grades are not given for such reasons as unjustified failure to appear for the final
examination. A written agreement, outline the requirements to be met, must be signed by the
instructor and the student. The agreed upon requirements must be completed no later than the
end of the following semester. By the agreed upon date, the instructor will assign a grade or
the incomplete will be changed to an ‘F’ if the requirements are not completed.
Relationship to Academic Development Programs and Transfer:
The course is intended for students who want an introduction to statistics, including
experience in gathering and analyzing data. This course is also intended for students fulfilling
4 credit hours in Mathematics as partial fulfillment for completion of the A.A. Degree or the
A.S. Degree. This course is NOT intended for students requiring a pre-calculus statistics
course for a business major or for students majoring in mathematics. MATH 141 should
transfer as part of the General Education Core Curriculum described in the Illinois
Articulation Initiative to other Illinois colleges and universities participating in the IAI.
However, students should consult an academic advisor for transfer information regarding
particular institutions. Refer to the IAI web page for information as well at www.itransfer.org.
Support Services:
If you have a documented disability and wish to discuss academic accommodations, please
contact Anita Moore at 268-8249 or anita.moore@heartland.edu.
Heartland Library:
http://www.hcc.il.us/library
(309) 268-8200
Academic Support: Normal Center (309) 268-8410; Pontiac Center (815) 842-6777;
Lincoln Center (217) 735-1731.
Tutoring Center:
http://www.hcc.il.us/asc/tutor.html (309) 268-8231
Testing Center:
http://www.hcc.il.us/asc/testing.html (309) 268-8231
Notice of Canceled Class Sessions:
Cancelled class sessions, for all HCC classes, will be listed under Cancelled Class Meetings
in the A-Z Index and under Academic Information in the Current Students page on the HCC
Web site. Go to http://www.heartland.edu/classCancellations/ to learn what classes have been
cancelled for that day and the upcoming week. Be sure to check the last column, which might
contain a message from the instructor.
Syllabus Disclaimer:
This syllabus is subject to change. Changes will be announced in class.
Important Dates:
Jan 14
Jan 21
Jan 28
Mar 11-16
Mar 20
Classes Begin for 16-Week Sessions
Martin Luther King Day (College Closed)
Final Day to Drop with refund for 16-Week Session
Spring Break (No Classes, College Open)
Midterm Grades Due by Midnight for 16-Week Session
Students can start viewing midterm grades online once submitted by Instructors
April 10
Final Day to Withdraw for 16-Week Session
May 9
Optional Review Day – Clinical course classes meet
May 10-16 Final Exam Week for 16-Week Sessions
May 17
Commencement
May 20
Final Grades Due by Midnight for 16-Week Sessions
Tentative Schedule:
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Material
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4, Review & Test #1
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 6, 7
Chapter 7, Review & Test #2
Chapter 8
Chapter 8, 13.1, 13.2
Chapter 9, 13.3
13.4, Review & Test #3
13.7, Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 13
Review & Test #4
Finals Week
This schedule is subject to change. Changes will be announced in class.