CLASS:
MEETINGS:
INSTRUCTOR:
OFFICE:
HOURS:
TEXT:
CALCULATOR:
MIS 301——Statistical Analysis for Business, Spring 2013
TH 7:00 pm (SSE 1401)
Kelly Shaul, JD, MSBA
SS 3204
EMAIL: kshaul@mail.sdsu.edu
PHONE: 594-3204
TH 2:00pm – 3:00pm 5:45pm – 6:45pm, and by appt.
Statistical Methods, 2 volumes, McGraw-Hill College
Custom Series (Any Edition), Author: James Beatty
HP 17BII+
COURSE PURPOSE: Data, variation, and chance are not only inevitable in
business, markets, and industry, but are prevalent. In environments
rife with such inevitabilities, companies desire business personal who
are statistically literate. The purpose of this course then is to help
students understand data, variation, and chance, enabling them to
better execute their work as future leaders in the business world.
BSBA Program Goals: BSBA students will graduate being:
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Effective Communicators
Critical Thinkers
Able to Analyze Ethical Problems
Global in their perspective
Knowledgeable about the essentials of business
MIS 301 contributes to these goals through its student learning
outcomes. At the end of this course students should be able to:
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Use data from a sample to make inferences about a population.
Apply probability theory in decision making situations.
Formulate hypotheses for decision making and research.
Analyze data using appropriate statistical techniques.
Interpret the results of statistical analysis.
Present statistical results using graphics, text, and the
spoken word.
SCOPE & LIMITS: Through the use of real business examples, textbook
problems, and computer projects this course will assist students in:
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Recognizing business areas where statistics have an impact
Evaluating variation in data-loaded business events
Understanding various statistical tools and methods for testing
Testing and analyzing of data using computer software
Understanding and using statistical terminology
Bridging statistics to other business courses and practices
Appreciating business improvement through statistical methods
As an undergraduate course, MIS 301 is NOT designed to help students
become:
• Experts in data collection or analysis
• Fully competent in the wide-variety of statistical techniques
• Professional researchers
• (Statistical) Model builders
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COURSE METHODOLOGY: Assigned instructional time will be comprised of
lectures, problem sets, and testing. Lectures will track designated
text readings either directly or indirectly through the use of
business examples taken from recent events. Questions and comments are
welcomed and encouraged.
ASSIGNMENTS: Prior to each exam students will be assigned a Stat
Package. Said assignments are computer based, and are intended
supplement and broaden one’s understanding of the statistical concepts
covered in class. Each is self contained, that is, it will include the
facts, data, and step-by-step instructions to complete the assignment.
TESTS: Tests are multiple choice, with either two (True/False) or four
(A-B-C-D) answer stems. You will have approximately 2 minutes per
question. (I know it doesn’t sound like enough time, but for the most
part it is and if you prepare correctly you’ll have plenty of time.)
Tests are NOT cumulative; however, some concepts are incorporated into
latter material so it’s worth the effort to grasp the fundamentals
early on.
I expect you to take your exams when scheduled. If you have a valid
reason for needing to reschedule an exam speak with me in person at
the earliest possible time you learn of the conflict and I will try to
accommodate you. There are no make-up exams. You must take the final
exam during your assigned time, unless you have a compelling,
unforeseeable emergency. Consequently, check the final exam schedule
before making any travel arrangements.
GRADING: Students will receive a final letter grade based upon the
University’s grading scale: A, A-, B+, B, B-, etc. (C = 72%+)
There will be a total of 6 graded events.
Percent of
Overall Grade
1) Stat Package 1
2)
Test 1
3) Stat Package 2
4)
Test 2
5) Stat Package 3*
6)
Test 3**
2%
25%
3%
30%
5%
35%
100%
*If you complete all 3 Stat Packs —— on time and for
the full points —— you will receive 2 bonus points,
which will be added to your OVERALL grade.
**Test 3 is the Final and will be given during the
two-hour, University-assigned period. This will be the
only time the final will be given.
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POLICY ISSUES:
Attendance: I expect you to regularly attend class.
Class Preparation: Reading assignments will be given each
week for the upcoming week. As with most worthwhile
endeavors, your success in this class will greatly depend
on your preparation. Read assigned material prior to class.
Textbook: There are 2 copies of the text on reserve in the
Reserve Room of the library. They are provided for the use
of all students, so use a copier machine/photo shot and not
an X-acto knife! Answers to all end-of-the-chapter
questions are located in Volume 2, Appendix A.
Blackboard: A copy of this syllabus is posted on Blackboard
in the designated area. Chapter readings will be posted on
the announcement page and Stat Packs will be available for
download at appropriate times. Feel free to use the student
discussion board to post course related questions to your
colleagues and to keep up with material you might have
missed. Stat Pack scores and test grades, except for your
final exam grade, will be posted on Blackboard. Your final
overall class grade will be posted on webgrades.
If you are unfamiliar with Blackboard, please visit Student
Help: http://its.sdsu.edu/blackboard/index.html
Academic Dishonesty: Executive Order 969, issued by the
Office of the Chancellor, compels me to report any incident
of academic dishonesty. While academic dishonesty includes
cheating and plagiarism as would be expected, it is much
broader and includes “other forms of academic dishonesty
intended to gain unfair academic advantage.”
If you are caught cheating you will receive an F and be
recommended for expulsion from the College of Business.
HELPFUL HINTS: In no particular order, the following is offered with
the aim of ensuring your success in this class: A good set of notes
will go a long way. • Review your class notes regularly. • Keep up
with the reading. • Quickly become proficient with your calculator. •
Come to class prepared. • Once in class be an active learner. • Know a
colleague you can contact if you miss class or have a question. •
Understand that this is not a math course. • My office hours are your
office hours. Take advantage of the time. • See me at the first sign
of doubt and/or trouble. • Enjoy the process as much as/more than the
end goal.
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SCHEDULE:
Month
Jan
Jan
Jan
Feb
Feb
Feb
Feb
Mar
Mar
Mar
Mar
Apr
Apr
Apr
Apr
May
May
May
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Thurs
Intro/Ch2
Ch3
Ch4
Ch6
Ch7/R
Test 1
Ch8/Ch14
Ch9
Ch10
Test 2
Ch12
Sp. Break
Ch13
Ch15
Ch16
Ch17/Ch18
Finals Week
Finals Week
Scheduling Note: The schedule is
meant to guide our study flow for
the semester. While I expect
stability in the schedule, it is
subject to change. Any changes in
the order or content will be
announced in class, and students
are responsible to note such
changes.
Philosophy of Teaching and Learning: Teaching does not stand apart
from learning. Neither is a distinct activity. Teaching and learning
are like the leading edges of a knife, and as we hone the blade of
teaching/learning -- in the asking and answering, thinking and
rethinking, and evaluating and re-evaluating -- we sharpen our
knowledge, and in turn our very essence.
To do so we must be actively involved. We must be willing to ask
questions and volunteer answers. We must be willing to have our
thinking challenged and re-challenged as we analyze, evaluate, and
respond. Such a process requires us to be responsible to ourselves and
for each other. Engaged in this manner, we can become creative and
critical thinkers, articulate and persuasive speakers, and fair and
just human beings.
Therein lies the quintessence of teaching/learning: discovering within
ourselves the force and means in which to enrich your lives and in
turn the lives of others. Consequently, from within the four walls of
this classroom I hope you will grasp not only the statistical content
of the course, but, perhaps in some small way, the unique opportunity
you are in the midst of creating.
A FINAL NOTE: Instructor retains all rights to modify any or all
portions of the syllabus without notice.
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