Math 146 - Elementary Statistics – Spring 15 - Hybrid
This is an introductory college level Statistics course where we will gain a basic understanding
of descriptive and inferential statistics concepts. We hope to gain a good foundation in statistics
and an appreciation for statistical analysis.
Class information:
Instructor: Kate Bader
Office: IB 2425C
email: kate.bader@seattlecolleges.edu
Class Meetings: Wednesdays, 6:00-8:50
Classroom: CC 3455
Office Hours: Before/after class and by appointment
Text: Elementary Statistics, 6th Edition (Larson/Farber) (see below, under “MyStatLab” for
options concerning hard copy or online version)
Class Website: Class website:
http://facweb.northseattle.edu/kbader/Math146_Spring15_Hybrid/
Needed: Scientific calculator (must not be on a phone or web-based device), for homework,
class work and tests. Calculators are available to rent from the Math Dept. $15(?) per quarter.
Access to MyStatLab software.
Course Description and Purpose
Math 146 is an introductory college level Statistics course in which students will develop a basic
understanding of statistical concepts. We will see applications in a wide range of fields. This
class will prepare students for more advanced statistics course work and provide the ability to
apply statistical analysis to real world situations.
Course Overview/Topics
descriptive statistics
inferential statistics
probability basics
hypothesis testing
general regression
analysis of variance
Course Modality
This class will be delivered in a blended format, with only one in-person meeting per week. A
core part of the content delivery will be done online, incorporating videos, online homework and
quizzes. The online activities will let us move on at the same pace of a regular class.
It is important that you have access to a reliable internet connection during the week in order to
take full advantage of this method of instruction.
Time Considerations/Homework
Math 146 is a 5 credit course. For a normal, or typical classroom course earning 5 credits, a
student is expected to attend class for 5 hours a week and spend another 10 hours reading
assignments and working on homework - for a total of 15 hours each week. This is not a
normal/typical class - but the expectation is that each student will still spend ~15 hours per week
dedicated to this class.
We will meet weekly for 2.5 hours. Another 2.5 hours each week should be spent online
watching and listening to the presentation videos. In addition, each student should plan to spend
10 hours a week reading the text, going over exercises, and completing homework assignments.
The face-to-face classroom meeting is weekly - every Wednesday evening. Assignments and
tasks will be arranged in weekly modules. Homework will consist of problems from two websites
(CANVAS and MyStatLab –see below) as well as some work (possibly) to be handed in. There
will usually be two online weekly assignment deadlines - one will be due on Sunday evening
(midnight) and the other will be due on Tuesday (midnight). Assignments will include material
covered in class on Wednesday and material assigned in readings or learned via online videos.
(However, see below concerning Additional Homework.)
Online Components
Students will need to access two main websites for this class (both may be used for
homework and quizzes) CANVAS and MyStatLab:
CANVAS: http://canvas.northseattle.edu
This is a Learning Management System (LMS) provided by NSC.
Assignments, videos, and announcements will be posted here. This will be the main online
resource for the class.
CANVAS - Weekly Modules
The course schedule, outline, most videos, and tasks will be accessed via CANVAS.
Each week is represented by a "module". A module will show the required tasks/homework (and
due dates), scheduled quizzes, and possible videos to be viewed in the given time frame.
Proceeding to a subsequent module is contingent up successfully completing the previous weekly
module.
CANVAS Website Navigation (left side of CANVAS screen)
Home Returns to the home page
Syllabus A detailed syllabus for the course will be available here for future reference.
Announcements (if any present)
Modules A list of all course modules. There will be an orientation (Week 0) module, plus
one module per week. The modules will first show locked, and will become available on
a week-by-week basis.
Grades You can follow your grades here. A detailed list of all your grades, on all
assignments, homework, quizzes, exams, etc.
People Here you will find personal information that you and other students have made
available for the class.
Page One Writing & Language Center A link to the Language Center (formerly The
Loft)
NSC Library Resources
MyStatLab: http://www.mystatlab.com
The MyStatLab environment is a learning resource provided by the text book publisher,
Pearson. The majority of the homework and exercises will be accessed through MyStatLab.
An ‘on-line’ version of the text is included in the purchase of the MyStatLab software. If a
student is comfortable reading and learning in this manner, a hard copy purchase is not needed.
Students are still responsible for all material covered in the text and used in classwork.
So text book options:
- Purchase a copy of the text with an associated MyStatLab code
- Purchase a copy of the text without an associated MyStatLab code, and then log onto the
Pearson/MyStatLab web page and purchase access to the MyStatLab software.
- Use the online version of the text. Log on to the Pearson/MyStatLab site and purchase the
MyStatLab software and use the online text.
MyStatLab
Each student needs to create an account with the "Access Number" provided with the text.
See introductory video and documentation: link provided in Week 0 module in CANVAS or
below.
Direct link to video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doQRI4mZmJo&list=PLRpRY65o3rxYOC_QNk8ji7S
k4SlaaIxB-&index=124
Test Schedule
There will be weekly quizzes at the end of class each Wednesday (no quiz on weeks with tests),
two tests, and a final exam.
The tests will be on April 29 and May 27
The weekly quizzes (~20 minutes each) will consist of questions covering homework problems
and problems done in class. Each quiz is worth 10 points.
The tests will be ~hour in length (each worth 35 points).
The final exam will be worth 70 points. (Date: June 17)
The majority of the quizzes and test will involve conceptual understanding of the material.
Because any problems involving calculations will be devised to test methods/understanding
rather than intensive calculations, calculators will generally not be allowed. It is assumed that
students in Math146 are comfortable with simple numerical manipulation
(add/subtract/multiply/divide small integers)
There will be no makeup or rescheduling of individual exams or quizzes. Students must come to
class to take the exam/quiz. The lowest quiz score will be dropped in calculating the final grade
(this should allow for one unexpected absence from a quiz).
Method of Evaluation - Grading
homework assignments: 25%
quizzes/tests/exam:
75%
Grades will be calculated on a percentage basis. Curve will be applied.
%
grade
97-100
4.0
91-96
3.5-3.9
84-90
3.0-3.4
77-83
2.5-2.9
70-76
2.0-2.4
63-69
1.5-1.9
50-62
0.7-1.4
below 50
No credit
Additional Homework (possible)
Some homework assignments (not online) will be handed in on Tuesdays. Please include
your name and date due on the front page. This work must be neat, completed in pencil, and with
problems clearly stated. Graph paper may be required for some assignments.
Scope of Course
The intent of this course is to give students a basis in statistical literacy through a study of some
of the basic statistical techniques and approaches.
The text provides a broad range of topics. It would be ideal to be able to cover them all - but time
limitations lead us to consider a selected subset of all the book's sections.
We hope to complete (on average!) one chapter a week. Selected sections of each chapter will be
presented individually, followed by associated problems.
Chapters/topics/sections:
Chapter 1 (sections 1-3):
Introduction
Data classification
Data collection
Chapter 2 (sections 1-5):
Frequency distributions
Graphical display
Measures of center
Measures of variation
Measures of position
Chapter 3 (sections 1, 2-partial, 3, 4-partial )
Basic probability
Multiplication rule (no conditional probability)
Venn diagrams (material not from text)
Chapter 4 (sections1, 2)
Probability distributions
Binomial distribution
Chapter 5 (sections 1-4 only)
Normal distribution
Central Limit Theorem
Chapter 6 (sections 1, 2 only)
Confidence intervals for the population mean
Chapter 7 (sections 1, 2, 3 only)
Hypothesis testing basics
Hypothesis testing of population mean
Chapter 8 (sections 1, 2, 3 only)
Hypothesis testing for two samples
Test for mean - 2 samples - independent - large and small
Test for mean - 2 samples - dependent
Chapter 9 (sections 1, 2, partial 3)
Correlation
Linear regression
Chapter 10 (sections 1-4)
Goodness-of-fit test
Test of independence
Comparison of 2 variances
Analysis of variance (ANOVA)
Expectations
Students are expected to attend every class and to arrive on time.
Students are expected to actively participate in class activities and discussions.
It is expected that students communicate (via email) to the instructor if questions arise
concerning the subject material. Questions should be asked after a reasonable attempt has
been made to clarify any topic; avoid frustration by asking in a timely manner. Email
response will be made as quickly as possible.
It is assumed that students in Math146 are capable (and comfortable!) with simple
numerical calculations and not solely dependent on a calculator to perform basic addition
and multiplication problems.
Students are expected to read each section before scheduled discussions and problem
sessions. Proper preparation is essential to learning.
No cell phones or mobile devices are to be used during class time.
It is taken for granted that you will conform to NSC code of honesty - no cheating or
plagiarism is tolerated. Although working with others in study groups is encouraged, all
exams and quizzes must be done individually.
Students with Special Needs
Students with disabilities who believe that they may need accommodations in this class are
encouraged to contact Disability Services as soon as possible to ensure that such
accommodations are implemented in a timely manner. You may make an appointment with
Disability Services by calling 206-527-3697 or stopping by the DS office located on the 2nd
floor of the Campus Center (CC 2346A). Their website is
http://www.northseattle.edu/services/disability
Typical disclaimer: dates and material are subject to change.
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