STATISTICS 200: SECTIONS 23- 26 (FALL SEMESTER 2011)
ELEMENTARY STATISTICS
INSTRUCTOR:

Name & Office Location: Patricia (Pat) Buchanan at 309 Thomas

Office Hours: Thurs 2:45 – 4:45 PM & Phone: (814)-865-6266

Email: must send under Communicate tab in Angel (quick message option) for response
TABLE 1: ROOMS & TIMES
Section
Lecture (Tues & Thurs)
Section 23
100 Life Science 10:10 AM
Section 24
100 Life Science 10:10 AM
Section 25
100 Life Science 10:10 AM
Section 26
100 Life Science 10:10 AM
Computer Labs (Wed & Fri)
111 Boucke: 1:25 PM
214 Boucke: 11:15 AM (Wed) & 111 Boucke: 11:15 AM (Fri)
4 Life Science: 2:30 PM
4 Life Science: 3:35 PM
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
Textbook: Mind on Statistics, 4th Edition, by Jessica Utts & Robert Heckard (don’t need the Aplia Code)
1. The publisher is offering a 3-hole punch loose leaf version at the local bookstores. Even though
the Aplia code is included with this version, it does not affect the price of the textbook. But
definitely, go and find the best possible deal which may include an electronic version and/or rental
copy. (Course will not accommodate earlier editions of the textbook)
2. Three copies will be available in the Physical and Mathematical Sciences (PAMS) Library
Simple Calculator: for homework assignments & lab activity calculations – won’t need for exams
TEACHING ASSISTANT (TA): Jialin Xu, jxx120@psu.edu, Office: 514 Wartik building

Office Hours: T & R 2-3 PM

will oversee most labs and answers questions about grade calculations via Angel Email
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. 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 for this course are to have students:
1. become good “statistical citizens”
Be able to consume the information that you are inundated with, think critically about it, and
make good decisions based on that information.
2.
develop research scientist skills
Promote the scientific method, ability to identify questions, collect evidence, discover and apply
tools to interpret the data, and communicate results. While many of you may never conduct a
scientific study on your own, it is still very possible that you may encounter data or statistical
results over the course of a career.
,
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COURSE FORMAT:

Lectures (Tues and Thurs)
1. PowerPoint slides: posted in advance by 5:00 PM previous day - bring copy to lecture
2. On-line quiz will be posted to take after lecture

Computer Labs (Wed & Fri): at scheduled time
1. Lab Activity handout posted in advance by 5:00 PM previous day - bring copy to lab
2. Complete “lab activities” either individually or in small groups – then submit on-line quiz
3. will include both data analysis & concept illustration where you will use the statistical
software package: Minitab
4. Be prepared to learn - bring lecture notes (review lab activity in-advance)
COURSE CALENDAR & WEEKLY AGENDA:

Course Calendar: provides due dates for all exams, quizzes, & homework’s

Weekly Agenda: includes readings & homework’s for the week
COURSE WEB SITE (ANGEL): https://cms.psu.edu: On the Angel web site, you will find:

Course syllabus, Course Calendar & Weekly Agenda’s (include assigned homework and readings)

Lab activity quizzes, lecture quizzes, & homework’s (also available at a later time for review)

Study guides for exams (posted at least one week in advance)

Power point slides (bring to lectures) & Lab activity handouts (bring to lab)

Announcements & email correspondence (check Angel email daily during the week)

Grades in angel grade book (a grade will appear as a “0” until the grade is recorded)
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 are responsible for:

using Angel with an acceptable browser

anything discussed in class & posted on the ANGEL website

attending lab during you scheduled time (be prepared and prompt)

sending & replying all course email by only using the angel “Quick Message” option

coming to the class prepared to learn & finding enough time to make the appropriate commitment

seeking appropriate & timely help if having problems

accepting that final grades will not be changed for purposes of maintaining financial aid and/or
academic progress. (also grades will not be curved or rounded)

checking your grade on Angel as soon as you make a submission (can’t report days later) - Angel
does not lose grades

signing up for exam times when contacted by computerized testing center

not making plans to leave campus prior to taking the final exam at the scheduled time

accepting that grades will be based on mastery of material (not on attendance)

accepting that individual extra credit will not be allowed

calculating your grade based on information found in the Angel Grade book when using points)
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 does not discriminate against qualified students with documented disabilities in its educational
programs. If you have a disability-related need for modifications in the course, contact both the instructor
and the Office for Disability Services (116 Boucke) at the beginning of the semester. Times allocated for
homework’s, lab activity quizzes and lectures quizzes have already been adjusted to accommodate those
who need additional time.
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COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Exams: (4 exams will be given)

count best 1 out of 2 exams (when considering Exam 1 & Exam 2)

Exam 3 & Exam 4will not be optional

includes (44-46) 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 questions)

must take on scheduled date & time (posted on Elion - Mon Sept 26)

provided a piece of scratch paper with flow charts - (bring your own pencil) – nothing else allowed
Homework (HW): keep best 7 out of 9 scores*

will be submitted inside Angel by a scheduled time and date (quiz format) – 30 minutes

can take twice (best score will count)
Lecture Quizzes (LQ): keep best 20 out of 22 scores*

will be posted on Angel after the lecture is given and have until next day at 4:00 AM to complete

consist of about 10 questions based on concepts covered in lecture

based on a key topics discussed in lecture (around 10 questions) – 20 minutes (one try)
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 assigned lab room during scheduled lab time (one try)
*Must check Angel Grade book immediately after submission to see if grade was recorded
Pretest: Fri Aug 26 – Wed Aug 31

take at the Computerized Testing Center (104 Pollock) – 30 minutes (sign up in advance)

goals: 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 8 – Fri Dec 9

take at the Computerized Testing Center (104 Pollock) – 30 minutes

possible extra credit – score based on mastery of material

provides adjustments to off-set policies necessary with a large enrollment course.
MAKE-UP POLICY:
Lab Activity Quizzes, Homework, & Lecture Quizzes:

no make-ups under any circumstance – the course front-loaded with generous drops

will be available for practice after all students have submitted
Exams:

If you have University-related excuse or a religious conflict, you must provide appropriate
documentation prior to the exam so that arrangements can be made. Illnesses will be dealt on an
individual basis based. All exams will be available for practice after all students have submitted.
TABLE 2: SUMMARY OF COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Requirement
Exams 1 -2 (keep best 1 of 2) Fri Sept 16 & Fri Oct 7
Exam 3: Fri Oct 28 (not optional)
Exam 4: Fri Dec 2 (not optional)
Final Exam
Lab Activity Quizzes (LAQ)** - keep best 20 of 23
Homework (HW)** - keep best 7 of 9
Lecture Quizzes (LQ)**- keep best 20 of 22
Total
3
Pts/Effort
130
260
Overall Pts
130
260
Overall Percent (%)
13%
26%
150
12
20
4
150
240
140
80
1000
15%
24%
14%
8%
100%
FINAL GRADES:

based on 1000 points.

point ranges for final grades are found in Table 3.

do not expect the grades to be curved.

grades will be posted in the Angel Grade Book as points (not percents)
TABLE 3: POINT BOUNDARIES FOR FINAL GRADES*
Final Grade
Minimum Points Needed
A
930 points
A900 points
B+
870 points
B
830 points
B800 points
C+
770 points
C
700 points
D
600 points
F
0 points
*You must achieve the listed point cut-off.
No rounding will be used. For example, 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.
TABLE 4: CHAPTERS COVERED & CORRESPONDING TOPICS*
Chapters
Topics
Chapter 1 (all sections)
Overview of Statistics, Population, Sample, & Statistical Principles
Chapter 2 (all sections)
Descriptive Methods: (one quantitative) & (one categorical) variable
Chapter 3: (all sections)
Descriptive Methods: Regression & Correlation
Chapter 4: Sections 4.1 – 4.4
Chi-square Procedure: 2X2 tables (also relative risk, etc)
Chapter 5: Sections 5.2
Margin of error, polls, & corresponding confidence interval
Chapter 6: Sections 6.1-6.3
Design of “Randomized Experiments” &” Observational Studies”
Chapter 7: Sections 7.1- 7.2, 7.7
Probability Interpretation & Flawed Intuitive Judgments
Chapter 8: Sections 8.1- 8.6
Random variables, Binomial distribution, & Normal distribution
Chapter 9: Sections 9.1, 9.2, 9.6, 9.9
Sampling Distributions
Chapter 10: (all sections)
Confidence Intervals: Population Proportion(s)
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
Hypotheses Tests: Population Mean(s)
Chapter 14: Sections 14.3
Hypothesis test: Population Correlation (link to Population Slope test)
Chapter 15: Sections 15.1 & 15.2
Chi-square Procedures: larger than 2X2 tables
Chapter 16: Sections 16.1 & 16.2
One-Way ANOVA & Two-Way ANOVA (no replication)
Chapter 18: Section 18.1 (Also 16.3)
Nonparametrics
*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 make every possible effort to adhere to the course syllabus and
calendar. However if something unexpected happens, such as bad weather, adjustments may follow.
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