INSTRUCTOR:

Name & Office Location: Patricia (Pat) Buchanan at 309 Thomas

Office Hours: Thurs 1:45 – 3:45 PM & Phone: (814)-865-6266

Email: must send under Communicate tab in Angel (quick message option) for response
– usually do not check email after abut 7:30 PM.
TABLE 1: ROOMS & TIMES
Section Lecture (Mon & Wed ) Computer Labs (Tues & Thurs)
Section 1 111 Forum 9:05 AM 214 Boucke: 8:00 AM
Section 2 111 Forum 9:05 AM 214 Boucke: 9:05 AM
Section 3 111 Forum 9:05 AM 214 Boucke: 10:10 AM
Section 4 111 Forum 9:05 AM 214 Boucke: 11:15 AM
Required Materials:
Textbook: Mind on Statistics , 4 th
Edition, by Jessica Utts & Robert Heckard

The publisher offers several versions including a 3-hole punch loose leaf, hard cover, and electronic version. The Aplia code will only be needed for the electronic version. Instructor provides the code. Find the best deal which may include a rental copy. Must be 4 th edition.

Copies available in the Physical and Mathematical Sciences (PAMS) & Pattee Libraries
Iclicker (do not buy iclicker2, iclicker+ or web iclicker)
 need to have your
“iclicker” registered on Angel and available to use (with three good AAA batteries) by Mon Sept 10. A handout which will include both policy and procedures for iclicker use will be available at a future date prior to Mon Sept 10.
TEACHING ASSISTANT (TA): will
 oversee most computer labs
 work with a team of graduate students who will hold shared office hours (25 hours/week).
 answer questions about grade calculations & respond to email sent inside Angel
COURSE FORMAT:

Lectures (Mon and Wed)
1. PowerPoint slides: posted in advance by 5:00 PM previous day - bring copy to lecture
2. On-line Lecture Quiz: posted to take after lecture prior to lab (does not count for a grade)

Computer Labs (Tues & Thurs): at scheduled time
1. Lab Activity handout posted in advance by 3:00 PM previous day - bring copy to lab – encouraged to work on it in advance - bring lecture notes
2.
Complete “lab activities” either individually or in small groups – submit on-line quiz
3. include both concept application and data analysis where statistical software package:
Minitab is used
COURSE CALENDAR & WEEKLY AGENDA:

Course Calendar: provides due dates for all exams, quizzes, and homework’s

Weekly Agenda: includes readings and homework’s for the week
COURSE WEB SITE (ANGEL): https://cms.psu.edu
: On the Angel web site, you will find:

Course: Syllabus, Calendar, Weekly Agenda’s, Grade book, & Exam Study Guides
 Lab activity& Homework’s quizzes (also available at a later time for review)

Power point slides (bring to lectures) & Lab activity handouts (bring to lab)

Announcements & email correspondence (check Angel email daily during the week)
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COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to Stat 200. In today’s world, we are seeing a major trend throughout both industry and government where decisions are data-driven. Statistics is a discipline dedicated to unraveling the mystery of making such decisions in the face of uncertainty. More precisely, statistics is the art and science of using sample data to make generalizations about populations. The objective of this course is to explore and apply basic statistical concepts and procedures that are used when analyzing data.
What you should discover is that statistics is not just another math course. While you will be exposed to new terminology and concepts, much of the time you will use statistical software to solve problems that require quantitative solutions. You will not be inundated with repetitive calculations but instead will explore data with a context. Basic algebra is the only prerequisite. The second part of the course is more technical.
Success in this course requires an ability to apply reasoning skills over memorization. Additionally you will need to integrate new material with previously-learned material. You are strongly encouraged to read newspapers where you can see how statistics can be applied to every-day life.
COURSE GOALS: The two overarching goals are to:
1. explore the scientific method from a statistical perspective
- includes being able to identify questions, collect evidence, discover and apply tools needed to interpret the data, and communicate results. While many of you may never conduct a scientific study, it is still very possible that you may encounter data or statistical results over the course of a career.
2. become good “statistical citizens
- be able to examine the information that you are inundated with, think critically about it, and use to make good decisions
LEARNING GOALS : Be able to:
1. appropriately summarize data: both numerically and graphically
2. distinguish between population characteristics and sample information
3. understand the behavior of both distributions and sampling distributions
4. correctly apply procedures to make statistical inferences about population characteristics
5. identify the assumptions required for the validity of a statistical inference
6. recognize the strengths and limitations of both sampling methods and study designs
7. use computer software to find quantitative solutions when possible
COURSE AGREEMENT:
This syllabus serves as an agreement that begins on the first day of class & ends upon completion of the final exam. With this course, you need to:
 accept that:
1. this is an in-residence course – don’t disappear for days/weeks expecting to make-up the work
2. final grades will not be changed for purposes of maintaining financial aid and/or academic progress. (also grades will not be curved or rounded)
3. grades will be based on mastery of material (not on attendance)
4. individual extra credit will not be allowed
5. during class only use cell phones for emergencies (no constant texting)
6. prepare for lab in advance so that you can complete activity and quiz during scheduled time
7. the final exam must be taken at the scheduled time (don’t make plans to leave early)
 use Angel:
1. with an acceptable browser and wired connection
2. to send email;
 using the
“Quick Message” option (no response to email received outside Angel)
 with polite salutations and complete sentences
3. to check:
 the grade book right after making a submission (can’t report problems days/weeks later)
 all posted materials and emails
 come to class:
1. at the scheduled start time, prepared to learn, willing to make the appropriate commitment, and being responsible for all provided information
 seek immediate help if having problems
 submit your own work – don’t just copy from other classmates
 sign up for exam times when contacted by computerized testing center
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COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Exams: (4 exams will be given/no drops)
 each will include 45 multiple choice questions
 take at computerized testing center on scheduled date & time - 60 minutes
 some topics carry over from previous exams
 provided a piece of scratch paper at exam (bring your own pencil)
– nothing else allowed
Final Exam:
 selectively comprehensive (about 50-55 questions)
 must take on scheduled date & time (posted on Elion - Mon Oct 1)
 provided a piece of scratch paper with flow charts - (bring your own pencil) – nothing else allowed
Homework (HW): keep best 8 out of 9 scores*

Questions will come from the textbook.
 will be submitted inside Angel by a scheduled time and date (quiz format)
– 30 minutes
 can take twice (best score will count) – will be open on Thurs 12:30 PM – open for 48 hours
Lab Activity Quizzes (LAQ): keep best 20 out of 23 scores*
 taken inside Angel after completing each lab activity - 20 minutes
 consist of about 20 questions based on concepts covered in lectures and activities
 must take in 214 Boucke during scheduled lab time (one try)
Clicker Points:
 total will updated three times during the semester
 detailed handout of policy and procedures will be posted by Mon Sept 10
 questions will also be placed in a practice lecture quiz which will be available after lecture
Must check Angel grade book immediately after submission – not days later – Angel does not lose grades
Pretest: Thurs Aug 30
– Fri Sept 7 (except weekend and Mon Sept 3)
 take at the Computerized Testing Center (104 Pollock) – 30 minutes (sign up in advance)
 goal: acquaint you with the computerized testing center & provide instructor with background information with regard to statistical topics
 will receive 5 points extra credit for a complete submission (no-make-ups)
Posttest: Thurs Dec 13 – Fri Dec 14
 take at the Computerized Testing Center (104 Pollock) – 30 minutes

10 possible extra credit points ( one point for every correct answer)
 provides adjustments to off-set policies found with a large enrollment course.
MAKE-UP POLICY:
Lab Activity Quizzes & Homework Quizzes:
 no make-ups under most circumstances
– the course is front-loaded with drops
 everyone will have to use one drop when sick, need to go to funeral, court, family issue. etc..
 extended illness/problems will be dealt with on an individual basis
 will be available for practice after all students have submitted
 class will be held (Nov 12
– Nov 15). No accommodations for leaving early for Thanksgiving
Exams:

If you have University-related excuse or a religious conflict, you must talk to the instructor in person and provide documentation with appropriate letterhead and signatures prior to the exam for arrangements.

Illnesses will be dealt with on an individual basis based. All exams will be available for practice after all students have submitted.
STAT SHARED OFFICE HOURS (SOH): at 7B Sparks (Sept 4 through Dec 18)
Times:

Sun to Thurs 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Mon, Tues, and Fri 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Wed and Thurs 1:00-4:00 p.m.
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PENN STATE Expectations include:
 practicing academic integrity
 owning individual responsibility for your academic progress
 maintaining social and personal responsibility
 respecting the dignity of everyone in the Penn State community
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
Academic integrity includes a commitment to not engage in or tolerate acts of falsification, misrepresentation or deception. Such acts of dishonesty violate the fundamental ethical principles of the Penn State community and compromise the worth of work completed by others. This course will follow the guidelines found under Academic Integrity (Section 49-20) of the University Faculty Senate Policies for Students.
DISABILITY POLICY:
“Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. If you have a disability-related need for reasonable academic adjustments in this course, contact the Office for Disability
Services (ODS) at 814-863-1807 (V/TTY), at 116 Boucke. For further information regarding ODS, please visit the Office for Disability Services Web site at http://equity.psu.edu/ods/ . In order to receive consideration for course accommodations, you must contact ODS and provide documentation (see the documentation guidelines at http://equity.psu.edu/ods/guidelines/documentation-guidelines ).
Times allocated for homework’s and lab activity quizzes have already been adjusted to accommodate those who need additional time.
TABLE 2: SUMMARY OF COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Requirement
Exams: Exam 1: Fri Sept 21 Exam 2: Fri Oct 12
Exam 3: Fri Nov 2 Exam 4: Fri Dec 7
Final Exam (must take during scheduled time)
Lab Activity Quizzes (LAQ
- keep best 20 of 23
Homework (HW)
- keep best 8 of 9
Clicker Scores:
Total
Pts/Effort
115
160
10
15
?
Overall Pts
460
160
200
120
60
1000
Overall Percent (%)
46%
16%
20%
100%
12%
6%
FINAL GRADES:
 based on 1000 points.
 point ranges for final grades are found in Table 3.
 do not expect the grades to be curved.
 will not be rounded. A point total of 929.99 will be assigned a grade of A- , while a point total of
699.99 will be assigned a grade of D . ( Posttest adjusts for problems prior to the final exam)
TABLE 3: POINT BOUNDARIES FOR FINAL GRADES
B-
C+
C
D
F
Final Grade
A
A-
B+
B
Minimum Points Needed*
930 points
900 points
870 points
830 points
800 points
770 points
700 points
600 points
0 points
GRADES IN ANGEL GRADE BOOK:
 based on points not percent’s (select “grades” with Category in Repots)
 will appear as a “0” until the grade is recorded
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION:
Will only consider writing one for students who:
 get to know me through several interactions
 have final grade of at least a B
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TABLE 4: CHAPTERS COVERED & CORRESPONDING TOPICS*
Chapters
Chapter 1 (all sections)
Chapter 2 (all sections)
Chapter 3: (all sections)
Topics
Overview of Statistics, Population, Sample, & Statistical Principles
Chapter 4: Sections 4.1 – 4.4
Chapter 5: Sections 5.2
Chapter 6: Sections 6.1-6.3
Chapter 7: Sections 7.1- 7.2, 7.7
Descriptive Methods: Regression & Correlation
Chi-square Procedure: 2X2 tables (also relative risk, etc)
Margin of error, polls, & corresponding confidence interval
Design of “Randomized Experiments” &” Observational Studies”
Chapter 8: Sections 8.1- 8.6
Probability Interpretation & Flawed Intuitive Judgments
Chapter 9: Sections 9.1, 9.2, 9.6, 9.9
Sampling Distributions
Chapter 10: (all sections)
Random variables, Binomial distribution, & Normal distribution
Confidence Intervals: Population Proportion(s)
Descriptive Methods: (one quantitative) & (one categorical) variable
Chapter 11: Sections 11.1 – 11.5
Confidence Intervals: Population Mean(s)
Chapter 12: Sections (all sections) Hypothesis Tests: Population Proportion(s)
Chapter 13: Sections 13.1
– 13.6
Chapter 14: Sections 14.3
Hypotheses Tests: Population Mean(s)
Hypothesis test: Population Correlation (link to Population Slope test)
Chapter 15: Sections 15.1 & 15.2
Chapter 16: Sections 16.1 & 16.2
Chi-square Procedures: larger than 2X2 tables
Chapter 18: Section 18.1 (Also 16.3) Nonparametrics
One-Way ANOVA & briefly Two-Way ANOVA (no replication)
*Not all chapters will be covered in the order found in the textbook. Chapter 18 will be provided on the web.
Course Disclaimer: The instructor will adhere to the course syllabus and calendar. However if something unexpected happens, such as bad weather, adjustments may follow.
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