Department of Statistics
The Wharton School
University of Pennsylvania
Statistics 102
Spring 2006
____________________________________________________________
Professor:
Office:
Email:
Telephone:
Andreas Buja (Sections 001 and 002)
471 JMHH
buja@wharton.upenn.edu
215-898-8236
Professor:
Office:
Email:
Telephone:
Michael Smith (Section 003)
470 JMHH
michaesm@wharton.upenn.edu
215-898-8228
Office hours: Th 1-6pm and by appointment (Sections 001 and 002)
Th 1-6pm and by appointment (Section 003)
(Both instructors are available for all three sections.)
Classes meet: Section 001, MW 10:30-11:50, in F85 JMHH
Section 002, MW 1:30-2:50,
in F85 JMHH
Section 003, TTh 10:30-11:50, in F85 JMHH
Teaching Assistants and Stat Lab
Name:
Dongyu Lin
Alex Braunstein
Email:
dongyu
braunsf
Office/Phone: 427.1/8-6360
433.3/8-1249
Office Hours: Mon, 12-1:30
Tue, 1:30-3:30
Shaun Lysen
slysen
433/8-1247
Tue, 3:30-5:30
(@wharton)
(JMHH/215-89)
The Stat Lab provides help with statistics to anybody on campus. It is located in F96
JMHH and is open on days when classes are in session. For staffing and hours, see
http://www-stat.wharton.upenn.edu/~juntianx/statlab.html
Whoever you find there may or may not be able to help with homework. Therefore, most
useful for you are the Stat Lab hours staffed by our own TAs:
Dongyu Lin: Wed, 11-1;
Alex Braunstein: Fri, 9-11;
Shaun Lysen: Fri, 11-1
Course website
Statistics 102 is using webCafe. You can gain access by going to
http://webcafe.wharton.upenn.edu
and following the link to the Statistics Department. All materials for this course will be
distributed and managed via the website, and you will be able to monitor your grade
entries throughout the semester.
Note for non-Wharton students: If you do not have a Wharton computing account, you
will need to establish one to access the website. The account also provides access to the
computing labs in Wharton and to the intranet. To get an account, on or after the first day
of classes, go to
http://accounts.wharton.upenn.edu
After you have obtained your account, allow up to 12 hours for activation.
Wharton students and students who have recently taken a Wharton course have existing
accounts.
Course Overview
This course develops ideas for helping to make decisions using four fundamental
statistical methods: Regression analysis, the analysis of variance, logistic regression, and
time series. Students beginning the course should be familiar with the key ideas covered
in Statistics 101: data displays (including boxplots, histograms, the normal distribution,
scatterplots), summary statistics (including mean, standard deviation), and basic
properties of statistical estimates and tests (including standard error, confidence intervals,
p-values).
The course will focus on critical interpretation and analysis of assumptions. We will use
JMP IN to carry out computations. The course does not dwell on the details of
computation—its main focus is understanding and interpretation of statistical results.
Materials
Business Analysis Using Regression: A Casebook, by D. Foster, R. Stine, and R.
Waterman, Springer-Verlag, 2001 (revised printing). This and class notes (posted on the
web site) are the main resources for the course.
JMP IN 5 statistical software and handbook. We highly recommend you buy the software
so that you have it on your own computer. We will use it extensively in class and you
will need to know how to read its output and use it for assignments and for reading and
interpreting quiz and examination questions. When you install the software on your
computer you will also have installed five manuals, all in pdf format. For those who
don’t want to buy the software, JMP IN is available on machines in the Wharton
Computer Labs, located in F75 and F80 JMHH.
Homework

There will be approximately six homework assignments



Each homework will be assigned at a lecture and will be due in class a week later
unless otherwise noted. Hand in a paper copy; no email. Keep a dated file with your
solutions on your computer in case the paper copy gets misplaced.
Homework will not be accepted late.
The homework is designed to teach and you are encouraged to seek help from the
instructor and the TAs if you have questions. You may also work with and help each
other. Unless otherwise instructed, you must submit your own solutions, with your
own writeup and in your own words. Verbatim copying is against the honor code.
Examinations
Two midterm examinations are scheduled:
 Monday, February 13th, 6-8 pm
 Monday, March 13th, 6-8 pm
The final examination will be Wednesday, May 3, 3:00-5:00pm.
In-class quizzes will be held approximately every other week. Each quiz will last ten
minutes and will begin at the start of class. There will be about six quizzes during the
semester. Each quiz will be announced in advance in class, and a reminder will be posted
on webCafe.
Examinations and quizzes should be written in ink. Those submitted in pencil will not be
considered for regrading.
Grading and Grading Policy




Your course grade will be calculated as 20% homework, 20% quizzes, 30% midterm
examination score, and 30% final examination.
Your lowest homework score will be dropped. Note that nonsubmission counts as a
zero score.
Your lowest quiz score will be dropped. Note that a missing quiz counts as a zero
score.
The midterm examination score is the greater of your two midterm examination
scores. A missing midterm examination counts as a zero score. There will be no
makeup midterm examinations.