BIT 2405 – 11744 – Business Statistics, Analytics, and Modeling I
Spring 2022
Instructor:
Pete Banks
Contact:
pbanks@vt.edu or through the course page on Canvas.
Office:
I do not have an office; all meetings will be through zoom (https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/4442550107)
Class:
Tuesday & Thursday, 11:00 – 12:15
New Classroom Building, Room 360
Office Hours:
Monday & Wednesday, 3:00 – 4:00 via Zoom; also available by appointment.
Course Description:
BIT 2405 is designed to introduce the concepts and applications of statistics in managerial decisionmaking. Topics covered include data collection, descriptive statistics, probability theory, sampling
distributions, and statistical inference.
Class Format: In person (if we are forced to go online / remote, class will be held in the zoom room above.)
Text:
Discovering Business Statistics by Nottingham and Hawkes (Hawkes Learning Systems)
Software:
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft Excel & PowerPoint
Webpage:
Canvas (canvas.vt.edu)
The canvas site will contain lecture slides and announcements.
Computer Equipment:
You must have access to a personal computer that meets the recommended configuration for students
entering the Pamplin College of Business. You must also have access to a printer and the ability to
connect to the internet.
Grading:
20%
HL Certifications
15%
Quizzes
15%
Test 1 (Chapters 1-6)
15%
Test 2 (Chapters 7-9)
15%
Test 3 (Chapters 10-12)
20%
Final Exam (comprehensive)
Attendance will not be taken in this class or included in your final course grade.
Grading Scale:
Grade
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F
Minimum %
93
90
87
83
80
77
73
70
67
63
60
0
Hawkes Learning System Certifications:
See “Student_Quick_Start_Guide.pdf” file.
Email Address: It is important that you enter your official “vt.edu” email in Hawkes. There is an option for a
secondary email, which can be any additional address where you want notifications sent.
Student ID: Please enter your VT Student ID Number (90########) as your Hawkes Profile Student ID. See the
“Student_Quick_Start_Guide.pdf” on the course website for instructions and information on how to get your
access code.
Hawkes certifications are due (i.e., must be completed) by 11:59 pm (before midnight EST) on the scheduled day.
The time that counts is the time you submit your completed certificate via the Internet to the Hawkes website and
NOT the time you complete the certificate on your computer. Always check your Hawkes Progress Report to
ensure that you received credit for the completed lesson(s).
GRADES for Hawkes Lessons/Certifications: You get “certified” if you answer a sufficient proportion of the
questions correctly. Full credit is given for certificates completed and submitted on time. Half credit will be given
to Hawkes certificates submitted within one day late. No credit will be given for certificates submitted more than
one day late. The highest 34 scores will be used when computing your Hawkes average.
If you experience difficulties with the Hawkes Learning lessons or accessing the Hawkes Web Platform, you
should contact Hawkes Learning Technical Support.
Quizzes:
There will be 12 online quizzes assigned during the semester. These quizzes will be based on the recommended
problems as well as the material discussed in the lectures. You can take each of the quizzes up to three (3) times
and the highest/best score will be used when calculating your quiz average. HINT: I suggest you work the
recommended problems before attempting/taking the quizzes. The lowest two quiz grades will be dropped when
computing your quiz average. Missed quizzes cannot be made up under any circumstances.
Midterm Exam and Final Exam Policy:
All midterms and final exams are to be completed on the Hawkes Learning Systems website and are due by
11:59pm (before midnight EST) on the scheduled due date. Two attempts will be allowed for each of the three
midterm exams (questions will change for the second attempt). The higher of the two scores will be recorded.
Only one attempt will be allowed for the Final Exam.
If you know that you will be unable to take an exam at the specified time, arrangements must be made prior to
the exam. Documentation must be provided if you are unable to complete an exam in the scheduled time period.
The final exam is comprehensive.
Statute of Limitations:
You have one week after an assignment is graded (7 days… not 7 business days) to see me to discuss any grading
concerns (recording error, errors in grading, etc.) that you have for an assignment (test, quiz, homework, etc.). I
strongly encourage you to review all your assessments when they have been made available to you.
HONOR SYSTEM POLICY
The Undergraduate Honor Code pledge that each member of the university community agrees to abide by states: “As
a Hokie, I will conduct myself with honor and integrity at all times. I will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor will I accept the
actions of those who do.”
Students enrolled in this course are responsible for abiding by the Honor Code. A student who has doubts about how
the Honor Code applies to any assignment is responsible for obtaining specific guidance from the course instructor
before submitting the assignment for evaluation. Ignorance of the rules does not exclude any member of the
University community from the requirements and expectations of the Honor Code. For additional information about
the Honor Code, please visit: https://www.honorsystem.vt.edu/.
All assignments submitted shall be considered "graded work” and all aspects of your coursework are covered by the
Honor Code. All projects and homework assignments are to be completed individually unless otherwise specified.
NOTE: You may not copy, photograph, or in any way capture physically or electronically any part or parts of the
quizzes, quiz questions, tests, test questions, or anything related to an assessment as doing such would constitute a
violation of the Honor Code.
Hawkes Learning: Discovering Business Statistics Assignments: All work involving Hawkes Learning Certifications is to
be done on an individual basis. You are not to receive assistance from other students. Any questions should be
directed to the instructor.
Commission of any of the following acts shall constitute academic misconduct. This listing is not, however, exclusive of
other acts that may reasonably be said to constitute academic misconduct. Clarification is provided for each definition
with some examples of prohibited behaviors in the Undergraduate Honor Code Manual located at
https://www.honorsystem.vt.edu/.
A. CHEATING:
Cheating includes the intentional use of unauthorized materials, information, notes, study aids or other devices or
materials in any academic exercise or attempts thereof.
B. PLAGIARISM:
Plagiarism includes the copying of the language, structure, programming, computer code, ideas, and/or thoughts
of another and passing off the same as one's own original work or attempts thereof.
C. FALSIFICATION:
Falsification includes the statement of any untruth, either verbally or in writing, with respect to any element of
one's academic work, or attempts thereof.
D. FABRICATION:
Fabrication includes making up data and results, and recording or reporting them, or submitting fabricated
documents, or attempts thereof.
E. MULTIPLE SUBMISSION:
Multiple submission involves the submission for credit—without authorization of the instructor receiving the
work—of substantial portions of any work (including oral reports) previously submitted for credit at any academic
institution or attempts thereof.
F. COMPLICITY:
Complicity includes intentionally helping another to engage in an act of academic misconduct or attempts thereof.
G. VIOLATION OF UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE, DEPARTMENTAL, PROGRAM, COURSE, OR FACULTY RULES:
The violation of any University, College, Departmental, Program, Course, or Faculty Rules relating to academic
matters that may lead to an unfair academic advantage by the student violating the rule(s).
Computer Related Issues:
Software:
The latest versions of Acrobat Reader, Symantec AntiVirus, and other software are available at Information
Technology Acquisitions. The website is http://www.www2.ita.vt.edu/software/student/index.html. Most of the
software can be downloaded from the web or is available for pickup in Room 3240 Torgersen Hall (North end of
Torgersen Bridge).
When Things Go Bad:
Help with software configuration is available by calling 4Help Computer Consulting (231-HELP) off campus or (4HELP) on campus. The website is https://www.4help.vt.edu/. Consultants are on duty weekdays 8:00a - 8:00p
Monday through Thursday and 8:00a - 5:00p on Friday. Early in the semester, demand for help is extremely high,
and you may have to wait an hour or more for a consultant to return your call. Please be sure that you have your
software, instructions, and documentation handy.
For More Information:
A wealth of information is available on the Computing Center's web page: http://4help.vt.edu. Software such as
browsers, Adobe Acrobat Reader, and virus protection software may be downloaded from this site.
Computer Labs:
All students in the Pamplin College are required to have ready access to a PC, printer, and the campus computer
network. Lack of such access is not an acceptable excuse for late assignments or not being able to obtain course
materials. There is a computer lab in Pamplin Hall (room 2010) that is available to students on a limited schedule.
Student Success Center Tutoring Program:
The Student Success Center offers a tutoring program that is available to students taking BIT 2405 and 2406. Each
tutoring appointment is one hour in length but may be extended if the tutoring schedule permits. Tutoring takes
place Monday through Thursday. Additional information concerning this program is available at the web site
http://www.studentsuccess.vt.edu.
Students with disabilities and students that require accommodations:
Any student that needs special accommodations due to a disability, as recognized by the Americans with
Disabilities Act, should contact the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) in the Dean of Students Office.
Students with disabilities are responsible for self-identification. To be eligible for services, documentation of the
disability from a qualified professional must be presented to SSD upon request. Academic adjustments may
include, but are not limited to: priority registration, auxiliary aids, program and course adjustment, exam
modifications, oral or sign language interpreters, cassette taping of text/materials, note takers/readers, or
assistive technology. (See http://www.eoaa.vt.edu/)
For more information, please contact:
310 Lavery Hall
Blacksburg, VA 24061
Phone: 540/231-3788
Fax: 540/231-3232
TTY: 540/231-1740
E-mail: ssd@vt.edu
Website: http://www.ssd.vt.edu
Zoom Protocol
The online course format is new for many of us. Please note that Zoom sessions are part of our course and are
governed by the same rules and guidelines as traditional in-person activities. A few suggestions:
• Please attend office hours! You do not need to have questions (although you’ll get more out of it if you do!).
You are welcome to simply show up, learn from each other, and enjoy each other’s company (virtually).
• Please mute yourself when joining the meeting.
• In large meetings, you are not required to show your video. If we happen to have a smaller group, it really
helps to see your face :-)
O If you do turn on your video, please make sure your environment is appropriate and make sure to
inform others in your video space that they will be recorded.
• Note: Some people are under the misimpression that they don’t “get” math and/or statistics. This is
poppycock - it just takes some people more time to really understand some mathematical concepts.
Regardless, if you think of yourself as someone who doesn’t get math or if you expect this class to be difficult,
please come to office hours as often as possible. This class rewards effort – make the effort.
PREREQUISITES for BIT 2405
The stated mathematical prerequisites for the sequence BIT 2405, 2406 is Math 1524. There are other
possibilities, though. If you have more questions, please see Pamplin’s Undergraduate Office in Pamplin 1046.
Other Notes and Comments
• All students will be held to the university’s Well-Being Commitment. Specifically, masks will be required in the
classroom until further notice.
• Students are expected to check email and the course page on Canvas regularly for updates on class
assignments, handouts, and announcements.
• Professional and respectful classroom behavior is expected and required.
• All emails must include the course number in the subject line. All emails must be from a VT email address.
• There will not be any extensions for quizzes and tests. HW can be turned in late at a penalty (no credit after 1
day late).
Tentative Course Schedule
(I reserve the right to adjust the course schedule to ensure learning objectives are met)
Week
1
Dates
1/17 - 1/21
Topic(s)
MLK Day - No Class 1/17
Introduction to Big Data & Analytics
Decision Making with Statistics
Data, Reality, and Problem Solving
Organizing, Displaying, and Interpreting Data
Numerical Descriptive Statistics
Text
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
2
1/24 - 1/28
3
1/31 - 2/4
Probability, Randomness, and Uncertainty
Chapter 5
4
2/7 - 2/11
Discrete Probability Distributions: Information about the Future
Test 1: Available at 12:01am on Friday (2/11)
Chapter 6
5
2/14 - 2/16
Review/Catch-up
Test 1: Retracted at 11:59pm on Tuesday (2/15)
Continuous Random Variables
Continuous Random Variables (continued)
Samples and Sampling Distribution
Chapter 7
Chapter 9
6
2/21 - 2/25
7
2/28 - 3/4
Estimating Means and Proportions
8
3/7 - 3/11
Spring Break - No Class
9
3/14 - 3/18
10
3/21 - 3/25
Test 2: Available at 12:01am on Monday (3/14)
Review/Catch-up
Test 2: Retracted at 11:59pm on Friday (3/18)
Hypothesis Testing: Single Samples – Means, σ known, P-value
Hypothesis Testing: Single Samples – Means, σ unknown, P-value
11
3/28 - 4/1
12
4/4 - 4/8
13
4/11 - 4/15
14
4/18 - 4/22
Hypothesis Testing: Single Samples – Proportion, Variance (Test & Confidence
Interval)
Inferences about Means & Proportions: Two Samples
Inferences about Means & Proportions: Two Samples (continued)
ANOVA
Test 3: Available at 12:01am on Monday (4/11)
Review/Catch-up
Test 3: Retracted at 11:59pm on Friday (4/15)
Regression, Inference, and Model Building
15
4/25 - 4/29
Multiple Regression
16
5/2 - 5/4
Review/Catch-up
Final Exam: Available at 12:01am on Thursday (5/5)
Final Exam: Retracted at 11:59pm on Monday (5/9)
Chapter 8
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Hawkes Learning System Certification Due Dates
Number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
Certificate
2.5 – 2.6 Level of Measurement & Data Classifications
3.3 Graphical Displays of Data: Pie Charts and Bar Graphs
3.5 – 3.9 Graphical Displays of Data: Line Graphs, Histograms, and Stem-and-Leaf Displays
4.1 Measures of Location
4.2a Measures of Dispersion
4.3 Measures of Relative Position
5.1 – 5.2 Classical Probability
5.4 Probability Rules: Properties, Complement, and Addition Rules
5.5 – 5.6 Probability Rules: Independence, Multiplication Rules, and Conditional Probability
5.8a Basic Counting Rules
5.8b Additional Counting Techniques
6.1 – 6.3 Discrete Random Variables
6.5 The Binomial Distribution
7.3a Reading a Normal Curve Table
7.3b The Normal Distribution
7.3c z - Transformations
7.4 Approximations to Other Distributions
8.3 The Distribution of the Sample Mean
8.4 The Distribution of the Sample Proportion
9.1 – 9.3 Interval Estimation of the Population Mean
9.4a Find the Value of t
9.4b Interval Estimation of the Population Mean: Small Samples, Sigma Unknown
9.5 Precision and Sample Size: Means
9.6 – 9.7 Estimating the Population Proportion
10.4a Testing a Hypothesis about a Population Mean (z-Value)
10.4b Testing a Hypothesis about a Population Mean (t-Value)
10.4c Testing a Hypothesis about a Population Mean (P-Value)
10.7a Testing a Hypothesis about a Population Proportion (z-Value)
10.7b Testing a Hypothesis about a Population Proportion (P-Value)
10.8a Interval Estimation about a Population Variance
10.8b Testing a Hypothesis about a Population Variance
11.1 Comparing Two Population Means
11.2 Comparing Two Population Means: Small Samples, Sigma Unknown
11.3 Paired Difference
11.4 Comparing Two Population Proportions
12.2 – 12.4 ANOVA
13.1 – 13.5 Fitting a Linear Model
13.8 Regression Analysis
14.5a Inferences Concerning the Multiple Regression Model & Coefficients
14.5b ANOVA Regression
14.7 Models with Qualitative Independent Variables
Due Date
24-Jan
31-Jan
31-Jan
31-Jan
31-Jan
31-Jan
7-Feb
7-Feb
7-Feb
7-Feb
7-Feb
14-Feb
14-Feb
25-Feb
25-Feb
25-Feb
25-Feb
3-Mar
3-Mar
17-Mar
17-Mar
17-Mar
17-Mar
17-Mar
30-Mar
30-Mar
30-Mar
30-Mar
30-Mar
30-Mar
30-Mar
7-Apr
7-Apr
7-Apr
7-Apr
14-Apr
25-Apr
25-Apr
2-May
2-May
2-May
Quiz Due Dates
Quiz #: Topic(s)
Due Date
Quiz #: Topic(s)
Due Date
Quiz 1: Chapters 1 & 2
1/24
Quiz 7: Chapter 9
3/17
Quiz 2: Chapters 3 & 4
1/31
Quiz 8: Chapter 10
3/30
Quiz 3: Chapter 5
2/7
Quiz 9: Chapter 11
4/7
Quiz 4: Chapter 6
2/14
Quiz 10: Chapter 12
4/14
Quiz 5: Chapter 7
2/25
Quiz 11: Chapter 13
4/25
Quiz 6: Chapter 8
3/3
Quiz 12: Chapter 14
5/2