Heartland Community College
Math / Science Division
Fall Semester 2013 Student Course Syllabus
Course Prefix and Number:
MAT 141
Course Title:
Introduction to Statistics
Credit Hours:
4 Lecture Hours
Days and times the course meets: MTWRF – 1:20 to 2:02 p.m.
Tri-Valley 112
Introduction:
Statistics is used in every walk of life, enabling life-long learners to make informed decisions.
Exposure to basic statistical ideas and experience in gathering, analyzing, and interpreting
data opens the door for a variety of future applications.
Catalog Description:
Introduction to Statistics 4 HRS
Prerequisite: Completion of Math through Intermediate Algebra Level 1 or assessment.
A course in statistics that introduces various topics in probability and statistics, and demonstrates
a variety of real life applications. Some of the topics covered are sampling techniques and
simulation, data organization, distributions, measure of central tendency and variability,
probability, estimation, and hypothesis testing. A graphing calculator is required for this course
(instruction will be based on a T1 83+). (GECC M1 902) (FA, SP, SU)
Textbook:
Elementary Statistics with TI83/84 Third Edition by Mario Triola with online
access to MyLabsPlus
Instructor Information:
Name:
Laban Cross
Office:
Tri-Valley 112
Office Hours: By appointment
Phone:
378-2911
E-mail address: lcross@tri-valley3.org
Relationship to Academic Development Programs and Transfer:
MATH 141 fulfills 4 of the 3 (A.A.) or 6 (A.S.) semester hours of credit in mathematics required
for the A.A. or A.S. degree. MATH 141 should transfer as part of the General Education Core
Curriculum (described in the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI)) to other Illinois colleges and
universities participating in the IAI. However, students should consult an academic advisor for
transfer information regarding particular institutions. Refer to the IAI web page
(www.itransfer.org) for information
Course Objectives (Learning Outcomes):
After completing this course the student should be able to achieve the following outcomes.
The levels of these outcomes are based on problem solving abilities (PS2).
1. Organize and present data using statistical charts and graphs (e.g., histograms, stem and
leaf plots, scatter plots, estimation of best fit line, etc.).
2. Summarize and analyze a set of data (e.g., compute the mean, median, mode, variance,
standard deviation, correlation coefficients, etc.).
3. Construct frequency distributions for a given set of data and determine the mean, standard
deviation, variance, and expected value for these probability distributions.
4. Know and apply probability theory (e.g., counting techniques, probability laws,
conditional probability, independent events, etc.) to determine probabilities based on
sample data.
5. Know and apply probability and statistics principles and theorems (e.g., Central Limit
Theorem, Chebyshev’s Theorem, Empirical Rule, etc.).
6. Know and apply sampling techniques used to generate sampling distributions.
7. Determine probabilities (with respect to random variables) associated with sampling
distributions.
8. For various probability distributions, address questions about a population parameter
(based on sample data) by using the decision-making process of hypothesis testing.
9. Estimate the value of a population parameter with confidence intervals based on sample
data.
10. Know and apply concepts and techniques for conditions not previously addressed (e.g.,
establish and test hypotheses comparing population means or variances, analyze the
relationship between two variables to determine if there is a correlation between them,
analyze data which does not satisfy parametric assumption, etc.).
Participation and Attendance:
Students are expected to do all the required online work and complete the in class quizzes and
exams. Attendance at all class sessions is expected and any absences should be communicated
in advance.
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Course/lab outline:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Graphical Descriptions of Data
Measures of Central Tendency and Variablity
Probability Theory
Probability Distributions ( e.g., Binomial, Normal, F, Chi-Square, etc.)
Sampling Techniques and Distributions
Hypothesis Testing
Estimation
Special Topics (e.g., Hypothesis testing based on two populations, non-parametric
testing, etc.)
Method of Evaluation (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
Students’ grades are based on successful completion of homework, online quizzes, and tests.
MyLabsPlus (Online homework)
4 Quizzes @ 25 points each
4 Regular Exam @ 75 points each
Comprehensive Final Exam
Total Points for the Semester
100 points (16%)
100 points (16%)
300 points (48%)
125 points (20%)
625 points (100%)
Grade Scale Based on Total Points:
Grade Scale Based on Total %:
562 - 625 Points
500 - 561 Points
437 - 499 Points
375 - 436 Points
0 - 374 Points
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
0-59%
A
B
C
D
F
A
B
C
D
F
Extra Credit: There will be No Extra points to earn at the end of the semester!!!!
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MLP: (Short for MyLabsPlus) REQUIRED
The access code is packaged with the book when purchased from the bookstore. If you do not
purchase the book from the bookstore, an access code will still need to be purchased. This
program offers math practice, tutorials, video lessons, immediate feedback and free
tutoring. Register at www.heartland.mylabsplus.com using the login and password that was
emailed to your heartland email account. You will be prompted to enter your access code
once you click a link in your course.
ONLINE HOMEWORK: REQUIRED
In this course you have weekly required and graded homework. This homework is done at the
following website: www.heartland.mylabsplus.com
The software that we use is called My Lab Plus (MLP for short). You will need to have an access
code to get registered for this site. Homework is accessed by clicking on the MSL Homework.
Each week there are homework assignments in MLP for the sections we are covering that week.
You may continue to redo these assignments until you receive a score that you are happy with.
There are specific due dates for each homework assignments. Once the deadline for the
assignment has passed, you will NOT be able to continue working on that section and your grade
is final. Remember at the end of the semester, this homework will count for (100 points) of your
final grade. It is very important that you do this homework.
EXAMS: REQUIRED
 Exam Policy: There are no make-up exams.
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Exams are taken during the regularly scheduled class time.
Missed Exam: If you missed a regularly scheduled exam, you may use the replacement option
only once as explained below.
Replacement Option: At the end of the semester, you may replace at most one of your
regular exam scores with the percentage that you receive on the final exam if it is in your
benefit.
Final Exam: All final exams are comprehensive. This is mandated by the Math Department.
Absolutely no make-up on Final Exam!!
Quizzes: REQUIRED – There will be four quizzes given during class.
Required Calculator: REQUIRED
TI 83/84 is required in this course.
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Incompletes:
An incomplete grade may be given to a student who, by the withdrawal date, can reasonably
by expected to pass the course. Incompletes may be granted only when justified by extreme
circumstances (e.g., serious illness, accident, death or serious illness in the immediate family).
Incomplete grades are not given for such reasons as unjustified failure to appear for the final
examination. A written agreement, outline the requirements to be met, must be signed by the
instructor and the student. The agreed upon requirements must be completed no later than the
end of the following semester. By the agreed upon date, the instructor will assign a grade or
the incomplete will be changed to an ‘F’ if the requirements are not completed.
Schedule
Week #
1 – Aug. 20
2 – Aug. 27
3 – Sept. 3
4 – Sept. 10
Chapter Covered
1
2
3
3
5 – Sept. 17
6 – Sept. 24
7 – Oct. 1
8 – Oct. 8
4
4
5
5
9 – Oct. 15
10 – Oct. 22
11 – Oct. 29
12 – Nov. 5
6
6
7
7
13 – Nov. 12
14 – Nov. 19
15 – Nov. 26
16 – Dec. 3
8
8
8
9
17 – Dec. 10
18 – Dec. 17
9 & 12.2
Review
Due Dates
Quiz 1 – Friday, August 30th
Online homework for Exam 1 due by 11:59
pm in MLP – Wednesday, Sept. 11th
Exam 1 – Friday, Sept. 13th
Quiz 2 – Friday, Sept. 27th
Online homework for Exam 1 due by 11:59
pm in MLP – Wednesday, October 9th
Exam 2 –Friday, October 11th
Quiz 3 – Friday, October 25th
Online homework for Exam 1 due by 11:59
pm in MLP – Wednesday, November 6th
Exam 3 – Friday, November 8th
Thanksgiving Week.
Quiz 4 – Friday, November 29th
Online homework for Exam 1 due by 11:59
pm in MLP – Wednesday, Dec. 4th
Exam 4 – Friday, December 13th
Final Exam
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Academic Integrity, Plagiarism, and Student Conduct:
Please refer to the student catalog.
Support Services:
If you have a documented disability and wish to discuss academic accommodations, please
contact Anita Moore at 268-8249 or anita.moore@heartland.edu.
Heartland Library: http://www.hcc.il.us/library
(309) 268-8200
Academic Support: Normal Center (309) 268-8410; Pontiac Center (815) 842-6777; Lincoln
Center (217) 735-1731.
Tutoring Center:
http://www.hcc.il.us/asc/tutor.html (309) 268-8231
Testing Center:
http://www.hcc.il.us/asc/testing.html (309) 268-8050
Computer Lab:
http://www.hcc.il.us/asc/computerlab.html
Notice of Canceled Class Sessions:
Cancelled class sessions, for all HCC classes, will be listed under Cancelled Class Meetings
in the A-Z Index and under Academic Information in the Current Students page on the HCC
Web site. Go to http://www.heartland.edu/classCancellations/ to learn what classes have been
cancelled for that day and the upcoming week. Be sure to check the last column, which might
contain a message from the instructor.
Syllabus Disclaimer:
This syllabus is subject to change. Changes will be announced in class. You are responsible
for all announced changes.
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