Columbus State Community College
Mathematics Department Syllabus
Student Syllabus
Course Number: STAT 1450 Course Name: The Practice of Statistics Sem/Yr: Fall 2013
Credit Hours: 4 semester credits (3 lecture and 2 lab hours per week)
Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or higher in MATH 1148, MATH 1150, MATH 1116, or MATH
1130
Instructor: Betsy McCall
Office: DH 448
e-mail: bmccall2@cscc.edu
Phone: (614) 287 – 5377 ext: 1647
Office Hours: TBA
DESCRIPTION OF COURSE
This course is designed to acquaint students with statistical methods used in gathering and
analyzing data. The course includes: sampling methods and data classification, descriptive
statistics; exploratory data analysis; percentiles and z-scores; basic concepts in probability;
discrete and continuous probability distributions; the Central Limit Theorem; estimating
population parameters; hypothesis testing; linear correlation and regression; interval estimation
and hypothesis testing with two samples; and chi-square tests of independence. STAT 1450 is
intended primarily for students needing a college level, non-calculus based course in probability
and statistics.
COURSE GOALS
 To introduce students to the concepts, methods, and uses of statistics.
 To develop competence in problem recognition, calculator computation, and interpretation of
results.
 To use Microsoft Excel as a statistical tool.
GENERAL EDUCATION GOALS
This course addresses the following Columbus State general education goals:
 Critical Thinking
 Quantitative Literacy
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK, CALCULATOR AND OTHER RESOURCES
 Elementary Statistics Using the TI-83/84 Plus Calculator, 3rd Edition, Mario Triola,
Addison Wesley Publishing, 2011. ISBN-13: 978-0-321-64148-9 (REQUIRED).
 MyStatLab/Course Compass – (included with purchase of a new text)
MSL course code: MCCALL44874
 Texas Instruments’ TI-83, TI-83PLUS, TI-84, or TI-84PLUS calculator (REQUIRED).
The CSCC bookstore sells both new and used TI-83 and TI-84 calculators. For additional
assistance using the TI series of graphing calculators, see http://www.education.ti.com/.
 Microsoft Excel. This software is available in DH 104, DH107, and off-campus computer
labs (REQUIRED).
NOTE TO STUDENTS To achieve a mastery of the course material, the Mathematics
Department recommends that the student should be prepared to spend an average of 12 hours per
week on this course.
INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS
Lectures, class discussions, individual and collaborative activities and/or projects, computer and
calculator demonstrations, and weekly Minitab labs.
UNITS OF INSTRUCTION
1. Introduction to Statistics (1.1-1.6, Excel Lab 1)
2. Summarizing and Graphing Data (2.1-2.5, Excel Lab 2)
3. Descriptive Statistics (3.1-3.4, Excel Lab 3)
4. Probability (4.1-4.6, Excel Lab 4)
5. Discrete Probability Distributions (5.1-5.5, Excel Lab 5)
6. Continuous Probability Distributions (6.1-6.5, Excel Lab 6a, Lab 6b)
7. Estimates and Sample Sizes (7.1-7.4, Excel Lab 7)
8. Hypothesis Testing (8.1-8.5, Excel Lab 8a, Lab 8b)
9. Inferences from Two Samples (9.1-9.4, Excel Lab 9a. Lab 9b)
10. Contingency Tables (11.3, Excel Lab 10))
11. Correlation and Regression (10.1-10.3, Excel Lab 11)
METHODS OF EVALUATION
Labs – 10% (100 points)
Homework – 5% (50 points)
Quizzes – 15% (150 points)
Exams – 15% x3 (450 points)
Final Exam – 25% (250 points)
ATTENDANCE AND MAKE-UP POLICY
Quizzes will be given frequently in class, and they may not be made up, so attendance is
essential. Late homework will be accepted but with a 50% reduction in credit once the answer
key is posted. Missed labs can be made up on the student’s own time with a valid excuse, but
must be turned in no later than one week late to receive full credit barring extreme conditions.
Labs turned in after than will receive only 50% credit. However, labs are an essential part of this
course, and excessive missed labs (more than two) will no longer be granted extensions for any
reason. Missed exams may be rescheduled in advance if necessary with sufficient notice.
Missed exams rescheduled after the exam date will only be counted toward the final grade with
sufficient documentation of a reasonable emergency excuse.
ASSESSMENT Columbus State Community College is committed to assessment
(measurement) of student achievement of academic outcomes. This process addresses the issues
of what you need to learn in your program of study and if you are learning what you need to
learn. The assessment program at Columbus State has four specific and interrelated purposes:
(1) to improve student academic achievements; (2) to improve teaching strategies; (3) to
document successes and identify opportunities for program improvement; (4) to provide
evidence for institutional effectiveness. In class you are assessed and graded on your
achievement of the outcomes for this course. You may also be required to participate in broader
assessment activities.
LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW FROM COURSE
If you should decide to drop this course, but do not officially do so through Records &
Registration, a failing grade will be recorded on your transcript. The last day to drop this
course is Friday, October 25th, 2013. No drops will be allowed after that date. Drop forms are
available from the Counseling/Advising Center and from Records and Registration.
TUTORING RESOURCES
The following are ways of obtaining free tutoring:
 Mathematics Tutoring during the posted hours. You will be required to sign in and out
using your CougarID number. Tutoring is also available at the Dublin, Westerville and
Southeast branch locations. Tutoring hours at these locations change each quarter. For
additional information, please visit:
http://www2.cscc.edu/academics/departments/math/tutoring.shtml
 Peer Tutoring – sign up for Peer Tutoring in Aquinas Hall room 241.
 Online Tutoring - You can post a question to our Math Tutoring Forum on Blackboard OR
setup an appointment for a live one-on-one online tutoring session via the web. To find out
more, sign into Blackboard and look for "Math Tutoring" in the "My Organizations"
section.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES IN THE CLASSROOM
As a courtesy to your fellow classmates and instructor, please turn off your cell phone or
anything else (this includes tablets and computers unless you have permission from the
instructor) that might cause a disturbance during class.
STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT
As an enrolled student at Columbus State Community College, you have agreed to abide by the
Student Code of Conduct as outlined in the Student Handbook. You should familiarize yourself
with the student code. The Columbus State Community College expects you to exhibit high
standards of academic integrity, respect and responsibility. Any confirmed incidence of
misconduct, including plagiarism and other forms of cheating, will be treated seriously and in
accordance with College Policy and Procedure 7-10.
The use of any electronic device capable of wireless communication (phone, computer, pager,
etc.) is strictly prohibited during any proctored assessment (test, quiz, etc.)
ADA POLICY
It is Columbus State policy to provide reasonable accommodations to students with documented
disabilities. If you would like to request such accommodations because of physical, mental or
learning disability, please contact the Department of Disability Services, 101 Eibling Hall,
614.287.2570 (V/TTY). Delaware Campus students may also contact an advisor in the Student
Services Center, first floor Moeller Hall, 740.203.8000 – Ask for Delaware Campus advising, or
http://www2.cscc.edu/services/disability/ for assistance.
WEATHER CONDITIONS In the event of severe weather or other emergencies which could
force the college to close or to cancel classes, please refer to the college’s severe weather policy,
which is posted at http://www.cscc.edu/docs/contact/weather.htm
FINANCIAL AID ATTENDANCE REPORTING
Columbus State is required by federal law to verify the enrollment of students who participate in
Federal Title IV student aid programs and/or who receive educational benefits through the
Department of Veteran’s Affairs. It is the responsibility of the College to identify students who
do not commence attendance or who stop attendance in any course for which they are registered
and paid. Non-attendance is reported quarterly by each instructor, and results in a student being
administratively withdrawn from the class section. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for
information regarding the impact of course withdrawals on financial aid eligibility.
Course Website
Blackboard: students will be able to access grades-to-date via Blackboard. Grades for
assignments will be posted as graded for all assignments submitted on time. If an assignment is
submitted late, and if it does not appear on Blackboard, send me an email and I will add it.
Blackboard will be able to give you an approximate idea of where you are to-date, but students
should not consider the information EXACT. Students will also be able to access a copy of this
syllabus on Blackboard. Some quizzes may be required to be submitted via Blackboard. All
handouts will be posted on Blackboard, as well as exam keys (after the exams).
Archive: in addition to the Blackboard site, I will be posting archived material on my own server.
This site will archive all assignments given out in class, copies of quizzes and quiz keys, as well
as exams and exam keys (once everyone has taken them). I will also include relevant links to
projects, if they are assigned, to supplementary material, or to material from past courses. This
site will be updated periodically. This is the first place you should look for a homework
assignment if you miss class and it’s not posted on Blackboard. The direct address for the page
is http://www.betsymccall.net/prof/courses/fall13/cscc/stats.html. Or you can go to
http://www.betsymccall.info and follow the links Fall 2013, Columbus State, and Stat 1450.
Learning: Students are expected to take responsibility for their own learning. If you are stuck,
you should seek assistance immediately from the various resources available. I am here to
facilitate your learning and provide expertise and instruction. I cannot take responsibility for
every student’s individual success. I will be happy to help when I can, but you must take the
initiative, sooner rather than later. Schedules for all labs will be posted outside DH 313. The
tutoring Lab is not a bad place to do homework. You will be required to sign in with your
Cougar ID to receive assistance.
Tentative Schedule
Week
Date
1
8/22
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Section
Title
Comments
Lab 1 (Excel Basics)
1.3
1.4
Introduction to the Course
Introduction to Statistics
Data Classification
8/27
1.4
1.5
Data Classification
Methods of Collecting Data
Quiz #1
8/29
2.2
2.3/2.4
Frequency Tables and Graphs
Graphs
Lab 2 (Graphs)
9/3
2.5
3.2
Graphs
Measures of Center
Quiz #2
9/5
3.3
3.4
Measures of Spread
Measures of Relative Position
Lab 3 (Measures of Center, Shape,
Spread)
9/10
3.4
Measures of Relative Position
Review for Test #1
Quiz #3
9/12
Test #1
Covers Chapters 1-3
Lab 4 (Law of Large Numbers)
9/17
4.2/4.3
4.4
Basic Concepts of Probability
The Addition Rule
9/19
4.5
5.2
5.3
9/24
5.4/5.5
9/26
6.2
10/1
Conditional Probabilities and Multiplication Rule
Discrete Probability Distributions
Binomial Experiments
Lab 5 (Binomial Experiments)
Poisson Distributions
Quiz #4
Uniform Distributions, Standard Normal Distributions
Lab 6a (Discrete and Continuous
Probabilities)
6.3
6.4
Normal Distributions: Finding Probabilities/Value
Sampling Distributions
Quiz #5
10/3
6.5
Uniform Distributions: Standard Normal Distributions
Review for Exam #2
Lab 6b (Sampling Distributions)
10/8
Test #2
10/10
7.2
Estimating Population Means (known sigma)
Lab 7 (Confidence Intervals for Means
and Proportions)
10/15
7.3
Minimum Sample Size for Means
Quiz #6
10/17
7.4
8.2
Estimating Population Means (unknown sigma)
Hypothesis Testing
Lab 8a (Hypothesis Testing for
Proportions)
10/22
8.2
8.3
Hypothesis Testing
Hypothesis Testing for Proportions
Quiz #7
10/24
8.3
8.4
Hypothesis Testing for Proportions
Hypothesis Testing for Means (known sigma)
Lab 8b (Hypothesis Testing for Two
Means)
10/29
8.5
Hypothesis Testing for Means (unknown sigma)
Quiz #8
10/31
9.2
Inferences about Two Proportions
Review for Exam #3
Lab 9a (Two Proportions)
11/5
Test #3
11/7
9.2
9.3
Inferences about Two Proportions
Inferences about Two Means: Independent Samples
Lab 9b (Two Means)
11/12
9.4
Inferences about Two Means: Dependent Samples
Quiz #9
11/14
11.3
Contingency Tables
Lab 10 (Contingency Tables)
11/19
10.2
Scatterplots and Correlation Coefficients
Quiz #10
11/21
10.3
10.4
Regression Equations and Prediction
Coefficient of Determination
Lab 11 (Linear Regression)
11/26
Covers Chapters 4-6
Chapters 7 & 8
Review for Final
16
11/28
No class
12/3
Final
Exam
Letter name
Alpha
Beta
Gamma
Delta
Epsilon
Zeta
Eta
Theta
Iota
Kappa
Lambda
Mu
Thanksgiving Break
Final Exam is 8:00 p.m. December 3rd
Uppercase
Α
Β
Γ
Δ
Ε
Ζ
Η
Θ
Ι
Κ
Λ
Μ
The Greek alphabet
Lowercase
Letter name
Nu
𝛼
Xi
𝛽
Omicron
𝛾
Pi
𝛿
Rho
𝜀
Sigma
𝜁
Tau
𝜂
Upsilon
𝜃
Phi
𝜄
Chi
𝜅
Psi
𝜆
Omega
𝜇
Comprehensive
Last day to submit late homework and
labs.
Uppercase
Ν
Ξ
Ο
Π
Ρ
Σ
Τ
Υ
Φ
Χ
Ψ
Ω
Lowercase
𝜈
𝜉
𝜊
𝜋
𝜌
𝜎
𝜏
𝜐
𝜑
𝜒
𝜓
𝜔