SOM 120
Basic Business Statistics
Ticket # 13341
Spring 2016
Dr. Ahmad Vessal
Time:
F 9:00-11:45 AM
JH 1230
Office:
JH4130
Office Hours:
MW 11:15 AM-12:15 PM, 2:15-3:15 PM, F 11:45-12:15 PM or by
appointment
Office Telephone:
(818) 677-5921
E-mail
ahmad.vessal@csun.edu
Website
http://www.csun.edu/~hcmsc002
Textbook:
Essentials of Statistics for Business and Economics, by Anderson, Sweeney
and Williams, Revised, 7th ed. 2015. To purchase book you can visit:
http://www.cengagebrain.com/course/1-23YLVQI
Prerequisite: MATH 102 or 103 or 105 or 150A or 255A
Course Description
Basic elements of statistics for students in business and economics. Descriptive statistics,
elements of probability, probability distributions (including normal), sampling distributions,
statistical inference for means and proportions (including estimation and hypothesis testing),
simple linear regression and correlation. Applications of these topics in business and economics
are emphasized. The course requires assignments in which students are required to explain the
results of statistical computations using personal computer software.
Learning Goals
The three main learning goals of the course are:



Students should be able to recognize the statistical problems
Students should be able to statistically analyze data in support of solving business
problems.
Students should have the written communication skills to interpret and explain the
results of their analysis to management.
The learning goals are enhanced by including recent trends in the field, practical learning
experiences, and ethical issues in statistics and through practical learning experiences.
Statistical Analysis Case Study
There is a two-part team project (team of 2) involving a decision problem with statistical data.
Students are required to enter data into Excel and perform descriptive statistics (including
histograms) and simple linear regression, including hypothesis testing and write a consultant’s
report (suggested length of 3 to 5 pages), with their analysis and recommendations. This is
mandatory for all students.
Homework:
There will be weekly homework assigned using the APLIA. Homework will be due every
Thursday at 11:59 PM. The homework is worth 10 points. The software does not understand
excuses. Do your assignments early to keep last minute emergencies from getting in your way.
Practical Applications
The course provides practical applications of statistics by drawing on real-world applications and
recent examples of issues.
Ethics
The course addresses ethics issues in various areas of statistics. For example, recent ethics issues
include concealing data or health hazards from customers. Students will be expected to identify
ethical issues in these and other areas.
EXAMINATIONS
There will be three exams. Each exam consists of problems or small cases similar to those we do
in the class. After carrying out the necessary calculations, your answer must include numerical
findings, graphical displays as appropriate, and an interpretation of the findings and
recommendations for management action. All exams are closed book but a page of formulas will
be provided.
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
I use several methods to monitor your performance including examinations, homework, class
participation, presentations, and the project. I weigh these as follows:
First Exam
Second Exam
Computer Project
Homework (Aplia)
Final Exam
25%
25%
10%
10%
30%
If your grade on the final exceeds your midterm scores, the final exam will be counted 40% and
midterm scores 20% each.
I use the following grading system:
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD
F
93-100
90-92
85-89
80-84
75-79
70-74
65-69
60-64
50-59
0-49
Scholarly work; DEFINITELY SUPERIOR
Superior
A little above solid work
Solid work
Deficient in one critical area
Deficient in two or more critical areas
Lacks understanding of the process
Poor
Very poor
Failing
Tentative Schedule of Class Sessions:
Week
Topic
Chapter(s)
1
Introduction to Statistics
1
2
Tables and Graphs
2
3
Measures of Central Tendency and
Dispersion
3
4
Probability
4
5
First Exam (Friday Feb. 26)
6
Discrete Probability Distributions
5
7
Continuous Probability Distributions
6
8
Sampling Methods and Sampling
Distributions
7
9
Interval Estimation
8
10
Second Exam (Friday April 8)
11
Hypothesis Testing
9
12
Comparisons Involving Means
10
13
Comparisons Involving Proportions
11
14
Regression Analysis
12
15
Regression Analysis
13
16
Final Exam Friday May 20 (8:00-10:00 AM)
*Policy on Academic Dishonesty: University rules prohibit cheating, fabrication, facilitating the
academic dishonesty of another student, and plagiarism. If you engage in any of these activities in
this class, you can expect to receive a failing grade. A letter will be sent to the appropriate
campus officials. “Cheating or plagiarism in connection with an academic program at a campus
is listed in Section 41301, Title V, California Code of Regulations, as an offense for which a
student may be expelled, suspended or given a less severe disciplinary sanction.”
*Drop Policy: According to University policy, non-attendance does not constitute
withdrawal; to withdraw from this class you must file a drop form with the University. If you fail
to attend this class, and you do not formally drop the class, a "WU" (unauthorized withdrawal),
the equivalent of a failing grade, will be recorded.
* During the first three weeks of instruction, students may withdraw online. After Friday,
Feb.12, drops are not permitted. Exceptions are granted or denied by the Office of Undergraduate
Studies if there is a "serious and compelling reason" and "there is no viable alternative" (a viable
alternative includes taking a failing grade and repeating the course). Changes in work schedule,
etc., will generally not be considered a sufficient reason. "Complete Medical Withdrawals" (all
classes are dropped due to medical problems—yours or those of someone you care for) are
processed by the Health Center.
*Incompletes: A grade of "Incomplete" will only be assigned when most of the course has
been completed with a passing grade. This is only permitted when unforeseen circumstances
arise that preclude finishing course work related to a class. According to University policy, an
incomplete may not be assigned when a student would have to retake a course.
*Center on Disabilities: http://www.csun.edu/cod/studentservices.htm, 818.677.2684,
Bayramian Hall 110. The Center on Disabilities serves students with a wide range of visible and
hidden disabilities, in a confidential environment. Students are encouraged to meet with the
professional staff and explore the services available to support their academic, career and
personal goals. Discover accommodations and strategies for help with disabilities in an
academic setting.
How to access your Aplia course
Vessal, SOM 120, Friday,Spring 2016
Instructor: Ahmad Vessal
Start Date: 01/25/2016
What is Aplia?
In just 10 years, more than one billion answers have been submitted through Aplia, the
premier online
assignment solution. Millions of students use Aplia to better prepare for class and for their
exams. Join them today!
Registration
1. Connect to http://login.cengagebrain.com/course/M88W-MNC6-7YK5
2. Follow the prompts to register for your Aplia course.
Payment
After registering for your course, you will need to pay for access using one of the options
below:
Online: You can pay online using a credit or debit card, or PayPal.
Bookstore: You may be able to purchase access to Aplia at your bookstore. Check with the
bookstore to find out what they offer for your course.
Free Trial: You can access Aplia until 11:59 PM on 02/14/2016 during your free trial. After
the free trial ends you will be required to pay for access.
Please note: At the end of the free trial period, your course access will be suspended until
your payment
has been made. All your scores and course activity will be saved and will be available to
you after you pay for access.
If you already registered an access code or bought Aplia online, the course key to register
for this course is: M88W-MNC6-7YK5
System Check
To check whether your computer meets the requirements for using Aplia, go to
http://www.aplia.com/support/config.jsp