University of Hawaii at Manoa, Department of Economics
ECON 321 – Introduction to Statistics
Arlan Brucal
Summer 2015
ECONOMICS 321: INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS
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Time and Place:
• MTWRF, 12:00-1:15pm, Saunders 541
Contact Information and Office Hours:
• Office: Saunders 540; E-mail: abruca@hawaii.edu
• Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:30am-11:30am and by appointment (please e-mail)
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Course Objectives:
In this course we aim to study the fundamentals of statistics with great emphasis on problem identification
and problem solving. The main topics include descriptive statistics, probability and probability distributions,
sampling and sampling distributions, and hypothesis testing. Our goal is to provide you with opportunities to
improve your quantitative and analytical skills, which could be helpful, not only for your advanced courses,
but more importantly, for your everyday lives and future careers.
Prerequisites: None
Resources:
You do not have to buy the textbook. If you buy it, you don’t need the latest (4th) edition. 3rd edition is
perfectly fine, especially if you want to save money. Order it online right away and choose expedited shipping.
• “Fundamentals of Statistics” (4th edition) by Michael Sullivan, Pearson, December 2012.
ISBN-10: 032183870X | ISBN-13: 978-0321838704
While the above textbook is not required, obtaining a copy is highly recommended. I believe that your
money can be better spent if you (1) are intelligent enough to absorb all the material through my lectures;
and/or (2) can purchase a used textbook by a different author or an earlier edition whose writing style can
help you learn the material better. The above is recommended because I will base my lectures off this
textbook.
Course requirements & Grading:
Class Participation/Homework/Quizzes
20%
Midterm
30%
Final Exam
50%
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I will use a (+/-) grading system. Class participation (outside of review sessions) is not mandatory
but is highly encouraged.
I reserve the right to make any changes to class policy and schedule. You will be informed of any
changes that occur.
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University of Hawaii at Manoa, Department of Economics
ECON 321 – Introduction to Statistics
Arlan Brucal
Summer 2015
Attendance: Attendance is a must, and if you miss any announcements (re: homework assignments, class
administrative changes, etc.) there is no recourse unless you provide documentation from your health care
professional (or other official excuse) with dates specified to cover the issue in question. You will be
responsible for obtaining any missed information from a classmate. Establish a class contact early in the
semester so you are able to get the info.
Disability Services: The KŌKUA Program provides academic access services to students with documented
physical and/or mental disabilities. Email: kōkua@hawaii.edu. Website: www.hawaii.edu/kokua. KOKUA
can also be reached at (808) 956-7511 or (808) 956-7612 (voice/text) in room 013 of the Queen Lili'uokalani
Center for Student Services.
Academic Honesty: This course will have zero tolerance against any sort of cheating, plagiarism, and
academic dishonesty. Appropriate disciplinary action will be carried out in cases where any of above have
been committed.
Resources: Resources will be uploaded at Laulima. Access laulima at https://laulima.hawaii.edu/portal.
Provide your UH user id and password. Click the menu tab Econ-321. Click the “Resources” tab on the left.
Here is a list of the things that you can find on https://laulima.hawaii.edu/portal:
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A copy of the most up-to-date syllabus
Important announcements
Lecture slides (after each topic is completed)
Problem sets and solutions
Statistical tables
Raw Exam Scores (letter grades will be determined at the end of the semester)
Thus, you should regularly check Laulima!
Calculators:
It would be useful to have a basic scientific/statistical calculator for this class. It doesn’t have to be anything
fancy but it would be nice if the calculator can perform tasks such as;
(1) compute combinations of n things taken x at a time, i.e. C(n,x) or nCx;
(2) compute permutations, i.e. P(n,x) or nPx; and
(3) have 7 or 8 digits of display after the decimal.
You should bring your calculator to every class and to certainly all the exams and quizzes. You will not be
permitted to exchange calculators during exams. Cell phones, PDAs, tablets etc. will not be permitted during
exams as well.
Office Hours:
You are encouraged to utilize my office time. Please do not hesitate to see me for any questions you have in
the posted hours or by arranging an appointment with me if these hours do not work for you. Remember I
am here to help when you need it!
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University of Hawaii at Manoa, Department of Economics
ECON 321 – Introduction to Statistics
Arlan Brucal
Summer 2015
COURSE SCHEDULE AND STRUCTURE: If you read the textbook/lecture notes in advance, the
lecture can go quickly, leaving plenty of time for questions and class discussions.
Related chapters in Sullivan (4th edition) for the topics we will cover in class are indicated in parentheses.
The exam dates are tentative and are subject to change as we progress through the term. You will have at least a week’s
notice before an exam.
• Topic 1: Introduction (Chapter 1)
• Topic 2: Graphical Description of Data (Chapter 2 and partially Chapters 3 and 4)
• Topic 3: Statistical Description of Data (Chapter 3)
• Topic 4: Probability (Chapter 5)
• Topic 5: Discrete Probability Distributions (Chapter 6)
• Topic 6: Continuous Probability Distributions (Chapter 7)
MIDTERM EXAM: 7/24, FRIDAY, 12:00-01:15pm (Topics 1 - 6)
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Topic 7: Sampling (Chapter 1)
Topic 8: Sampling Distributions (Chapter 8)
Topic 9: Confidence Intervals (Chapter 9)
Topic 10: Hypothesis Testing I (Chapter 10)
Topic 11: Hypothesis Testing II (Chapter 11)
FINAL EXAM: 8/14, FRIDAY, 12:00-01:15pm (Topics 7 - 11 i.e. not cumulative)
Note: Each student has a different taste for the pace of lectures given diverse backgrounds. What is slow for
you might be too fast for others or vice versa. Please keep this in mind and do not hesitate to let me know
how you feel.
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