STA1001C – Introduction to Statistical Reasoning Course Syllabus – Fall 2015 CRN #XXXXX Course Description Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C in MAT0018C or appropriate score on an approved assessment. This course provides students with an opportunity to acquire a reasonable level of statistical literacy and expand their understanding of statistical approaches to problem-solving. The main objective of this course is the development of statistical reasoning techniques and an introduction to the statistical analysis process. ********************************************************************************** Instructor Information Name: Phone: E-mail address: Office Location: Office Hours: Day(s) Professor ______________________ (407)582-______________ _________________________@valenciacollege.edu _________ Time Location Materials Text: STA1001C course materials – sold only in the campus bookstore MyStatLab student access code (do not purchase MyMathLab) o The course ID you need to register is: abcde##### Technology: MyStatLab and Blackboard Students will need regular access to the internet at home or to set a regular schedule of time for computer usage on campus. Additional instruction, homework, quizzes and projects will be completed via the MyStatLab and Blackboard platforms. You must remain actively engaged in the online component of this course. Instructors will monitor your weekly online activity. Calculator: A graphing calculator that does not perform symbolic manipulations is REQUIRED. The TI-84+ is used for in-class demonstrations and is particularly recommended. If you do not already own a graphing calculator, you may possibly be able to loan one from the Math Department. ******************************************************************************* Resources Your instructor! o Please ask questions regularly! Your peers o Many students find it extremely helpful to form study groups with their classmates. This practice is highly recommended. The Math Center o Located in building 7-240. It is open Monday through Saturday and is closed on Sunday. o There you will find staff, peer tutors, study rooms and other comfortable work areas for study group meetings, and support materials for checkout with your Valencia identification card. o Peer tutors in the Math Center are available for walk-in assistance, no appointment necessary and are available for individual appointments as scheduling and funding permit. Since the tutors are trained to help you become an independent learner, they will let you do the work as much as possible. The learning process requires a regular investment of your time, and patience is the key. BayCare Behavioral Health Student Assistance Program (SAP) o Valencia students can get immediate help that may assist them with psychological issues dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, adjustment difficulties, substance abuse, and time management, as well as relationship problems dealing with school, home or work. Students have 24-hour unlimited access to the BayCare Behavioral Health’s confidential student assistance program phone counseling services by calling (800) 878-5470. Three FREE confidential face-to-face counseling sessions are also available to students. ******************************************************************************* Class Policies Attendance The learning experience in this course is interactive and participatory; therefore, attendance is a must! You are expected to attend EVERY class meeting. You will be allowed a maximum of TWO absences. After your second absence (freebies!), 5 points will be deducted for each subsequent absence, REGARDLESS OF THE REASON. You are responsible for any information and/or assignments given during class, whether you are present or not. In-class activities cannot be “made up.” You are expected to be in class on time, and to remain in class for the entire period. It is disruptive to arrive or depart while class is in session. Attire Inappropriate attire causes distractions which disrupt the learning environment. Inappropriate attire includes clothes that are too tight or revealing, visible undergarments, and clothing with profane or offensive language and imagery. As the professor, I reserve the right to make the final decision on the appropriateness of classroom attire. If your attire is deemed to be disruptive, you may be asked to leave class. If you are ever asked to leave class, you may be permitted to return to future class meetings after consultation with your instructor outside of class. Conduct Group activities and in-class participation are integral elements of this course. You are encouraged to actively participate and ask pertinent questions during class. Courtesy will be observed at all times. Your attitude will greatly affect your ability to succeed in this course. It will also affect your classmates’ attitudes when you participate in class discussions. Always consider this carefully before you speak or act. Cell phones, pagers, or other devices that are audible are not permitted to be on during class. Unplug yourself and make the most of class time! Personal electronic devices disrupt your learning as well as the learning of other students. If cell phone usage becomes a pervasive problem additional measures may be taken including but not limited to the following: loss of attendance points for the day, dismissal from the day’s class session, or a required meeting with a college official. To create a good environment for learning, avoid sidebar conversations about irrelevant topics, rude comments or remarks, raised voices or confrontational comments. Follow instructions given by your instructor, who serves as your classroom facilitator. If your actions in class are deemed by your instructor to be disruptive, you will be asked to leave class immediately. If you are ever asked to leave class, you may be permitted to return to future class meetings after consultation with your instructor outside of class. You may also be required to arrange a conference with another college official before attending class again. Academic Honesty Honesty and integrity reward you in many ways, including avoidance of the grade of zero that is assigned to any student who cheats on any test or assignment. Grading Partial credit on tests and assignments is sometimes given, when appropriate, solely at the discretion of the instructor. Grades will not be disclosed over the telephone or via e-mail, except through your Atlas account. You must meet with the instructor if you wish to discuss your grade. Homework Completion of homework on a regular basis is crucial to your success in this course! Homework will be completed online, via MyStatLab and as Take-Home assignments from the in-class lessons. You are encouraged to seek assistance from the instructor if you encounter difficulties. YOU MUST HAVE REGULAR AND CONSISTENT ACCESS TO A COMPUTER. Testing You must complete each test within the time allotted during the class. Every test score will be used in the computation of your progress test average. There are no “dropped” test scores. If an absence on the day of a test is unavoidable, you must contact your professor. Alternate arrangements are neither guaranteed nor automatic. All materials in your work area during testing, including electronic memory, are subject to thorough and unannounced inspection. If you are caught or suspected of cheating on a test, your grade will be a zero. If there is a second incidence of cheating, your grade for the course will be a zero and you may be reported to the Office of Student Conduct. Withdrawal Per Valencia Policy 4-07 (Academic Progress, Course Attendance and Grades, and Withdrawals), a student who withdraws from class before the withdrawal deadline of November 13, 2015 for Fall Full Term classes will receive a grade of “W.” A student is not permitted to withdraw after the withdrawal deadline. A faculty member MAY withdraw a student up to the beginning of the final exam period for violation of the class attendance policy. A student who is withdrawn by faculty for violation of the class attendance policy will receive a grade of “W.” Any student who withdraws or is withdrawn from a class during a third or subsequent attempt in the same course will be assigned a grade of “F.” For a complete policy and procedure overview on Valencia Policy 4-07 please go to: http://valenciacollege.edu/generalcounsel/policy/ValenciaCollegePolicy. cfm?policyID=75 It is not the responsibility of the faculty member to withdraw any and all students that have excessive absences (more than three), so please do not assume you will be withdrawn automatically. If you have extenuating circumstances that cause excessive absences and the withdrawal deadline has passed, please contact your instructor prior to the final exam period to discuss this issue further. Course Grade Determination Component Chapter Tests Homework (MyStatLab & Take It Homes) Quizzes (MyStatLab) Lab (Attendance, Journals & Projects) Attendance & Participation Final Weight 40% 15% 15% 10% 5% 15% The following scale will be used for graded assignments as well as for computation of the course grade: 90 - 100% 80 - 89% 70 - 79% 60 - 69% Below 60% A B C D F ******************************************************************************* Special Accommodations Students with disabilities who qualify for academic accommodations must provide a Notification to Instructor (NTI) form from the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) and discuss specific needs with the professor, preferably during the first two weeks of class. The Office for Students with Disabilities determines accommodations based on appropriate documentation of disabilities. Contact information for the West Campus Office is as follows: SSB, Rm. 102 Ph: 407582-1523 Fax: 407-582-1326 TTY: 407-582-1222 ******************************************************************************* Valencia Core Competencies Valencia College wants graduates to possess and demonstrate core global competencies including the ability to THINK, COMMUNICATE, VALUE AND ACT. In an effort to help you acquire and improve your ability to demonstrate the competencies this course will include activities that require you to: 1. Think clearly, critically and creatively. 2. Communicate with others in written and verbal form. 3. Make reasoned value judgments and responsible commitments. 4. Act purposefully, reflectively and responsibly. Changes in the syllabus, schedule, and/or assignments for this class may be made at the discretion of your instructor.