Statistics for Scientists (STT 231-Section 1)
Summer 2016
Instructor: Aklilu Zeleke
Office: W-25A West Holmes Hall
Phone: 353-4504
E-mail: zeleke@stt.msu.edu
Office Hours: Mon/Wed: 9:30 am – 10:15 am in Wells A136. and by appointment
Class Schedule: MWF: 10:20 am -12:10 pm in Wells A136
Text: Statistics for Scientists (Course Pack) by V. Melfi
Course Objectives: This is a calculus based course in probability and statistics. Our goals will
be to get basic understanding of concepts in probability and statistics and explore their
applications to the sciences.
Homework: There will be 3 homework assignments worth 20 points each that will be given as
we cover the corresponding material. Homework assignments must be turned in on time. Late
submissions are subject to a 20% point reduction. Homework assignments submitted two
days after the due date would not be accepted. In addition, some reading and suggested
homework problems from the text will be assigned. These problems will not be collected.
However, it is essential that you work them out.
Worksheets: There will be 5 worksheet activities that will be completed in class. Each
worksheet is worth 10 points. There is no make up for any reason. The highest four scores will
be considered for your grade.
Class Activity: Class activity problems will be given during the beginning and end of the class
period. These activity problems are based on the reading materials posted on the course website.
Completing the activity problems, at the beginning and end of the class, will earn you 2
attendance points. If you do one, but not the other you will earn 1 attendance point.
Tests: There will be 2 in-class tests worth 50 points each. Test questions will be asked based on
homework problems and the examples worked out in the class. Tentative dates for the tests are:
June 3 and June 24.
Final Exam: There will be a final exam at the end of the semester. The final exam is worth 100
points and is scheduled for Wednesday June 29th from 10:20 a.m. – 12:10 pm in Wells A136.
Attendance and Class Activity: If you attend and complete at least 90% of the class activity,
then you will earn 10 extra points towards your total score. In addition, 10% of the number of
points you earn in class activity, will count as extra credit.
Remark: If you are unable to take an exam for a legitimate reason you must contact the
instructor on or before the day of the exam. You must justify your absence before you are
allowed to take a make-up exam. You cannot take a make-up exam just because you are not
ready for the exam.
Course Grade: The final course grade will be determined based on the total number of points
earned in:
Tests
Homework
Worksheet
Final Exam
Total
2x 50 = 100
3x20=60
4x10=40
100
300
The grading scale will be as follows:
90-100%
4.0
75-79.9%
85-89.9%
3.5
70-74.9%
80-84.9%
3.0
65-69.9%
2.5
2.0
1.5
60-64.9%
0-59.9%
1.0
0.0
Your course average is computed by dividing the total number of points you earned by 3. For
example, a student who earns 250 points will have a course percentage of 250/3 = 83.33, which
according to the scale above translates to a 3.0.
Remark: Remark: Grades are not curved or adjusted. This is not to dishearten students, but to
let them know that their grade is based on individual effort and not on comparative effort. In
particular grades will not be changed or adjusted based on special requests or circumstances
such as “I need a 4.0 for my major” or “I am a senior graduating in spring and need to pass
this course”, “I averaged 3.5 before the final. I dropped to 3.0 after the final. So please curve
my grade to 3.5 based on my overall performance”. Once the final exam is taken, requests to
do additional work to improve grades will not be accepted.
Important Dates:
 May 16
Class Begins.
 May 18
Open adds end (8:00 pm)
 May 26
Last day to drop with refund (8:00 pm)
 May 30
Memorial Day (University Closed
 June 8
Last day to drop with no grade reported (8:00 pm).
 June 29
Final Exam in Wells A136.
Attendance: Attendance in the lectures is required. You are responsible for any material covered
in classes that you miss.
Academic Honesty: The Department of Statistics and Probability adheres to the policies of
academic honesty as specified in the General Student Regulations 1.0, Protection of Scholarship
and Grades, and in the all-University of Integrity of Scholarship and Grades, which are included
in Spartan Life: Student Handbook and Resource Guide. Students who plagiarize may receive a
0.0 on the assignment or fail the course. To arrange for accommodation, students with
disabilities should contact the Resource Center for People with Disabilities (355-9642).
The instructor reserves the right to make any changes considered to be academically advisable.
Such changes, if any, will be announced in class. Please note that it is your responsibility to
attend the class and keep track of the proceedings.
Tentative Schedule:
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Chap
1-9
10-14
15-19
20-23
24-26
27-28
Review