STAT 200: Elementary Statistics
Syllabus – Fall 2014
Course Description: Welcome to Stat 200. In today’s world, we are seeing a major trend throughout both industry and government where decisions are data-driven. Statistics is a discipline dedicated to unraveling the mystery of making such decisions in the face of uncertainty. More precisely,
statistics is the art and science of using sample data to make generalizations about populations.
The objective of this course is to explore and apply basic statistical concepts and procedures that
are used when analyzing data.
Course topics covered include methods for:
• collecting and summarizing sample data
• evaluating the accuracy of estimates obtained from sample data
• making statistical inferences about populations
What you should discover is that statistics is not just another math course. While you will be exposed to new terminology and concepts, much of the time you will use statistical software to solve
problems that require quantitative solutions. You will not be inundated with repetitive calculations.
Instead you will explore data with a context. Basic algebra is the only prerequisite. Best wishes for
success in this course.
Instructor: Kwame Kankam (kak440@psu.edu)
Office Hours: T 2:00 - 4:00 PM (424A Thomas)
TAs: Jiayu Peng jup250@psu.edu - section 13
Bryan Karlovitz bak5243@psu.edu - sections 14 and 15
Sae Na Park svp5246@psu.edu -section 16
Class Times:
Lab Section 13 :
Lab Section 14 :
Lab Section 15 :
Lab Section 16 :
Lectures: TR 4:40-5:30 PM (108 Forum)
MF 12:20-1:10 PM (214 Boucke)
MF 1:25-2:15 PM (214 Boucke)
MF 2:30-3:20 PM (214 Boucke)
MF 3:35-4:25 PM (214 Boucke)
Course Objectives: A comprehensive list of objectives for this course is found at https://
stat.psu.edu/education/learning-objectives/stat-200-learning-objectives. A copy of
the course objectives is also provided in Angel.
Required Course Materials:
Textbook: Mind on Statistics (5th edition), by Utts and Heckard
You may buy the textbook directly from the publisher by using this website:
http://www.cengagebrain.com/micro/PSUstat200
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i>clicker Please be certain to purchase an i>clicker and not an i>clicker 2 or web>clicker.
Need to have your i>clicker correctly registered on Angel and with good batteries by Mon Aug 25.
Clickers will be used to enhance learning in the large class setting.
Targeted Coverage: Most sections from Chapters 1 through 15. See detailed course schedule on
Angel.
Date
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
of
of
of
of
of
of
of
of
of
of
of
of
of
of
of
of
of
Aug 25
Sep 1
Sep 8
Sep 15
Sep 22
Sep 29
Oct 6
Oct 13
Oct 20
Oct 27
Nov 3
Nov 10
Nov 17
Nov 24
Dec 1
Dec 8
Dec 15
Topic
Data into Information
Data into Information
Sampling
Gathering Data
Probability
Discrete Random Variables
Continuous Random Variables
Sampling Distributions
Confidence Intervals (One Sample)
Hypothesis Tests (One Sample)
Confidence Intervals (Two Samples)
Hypothesis Tests (Two Samples)
Categorical Variables
Thanksgiving break - no classes
Regression and Correlation
Review
Final Exam
Chapter in textbook
Chapters 1, 2
Chapter 2
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapters 10, 11
Chapters 12, 13
Chapters 10, 11
Chapters 12, 13
Chapters 4, 15
Chapters 3, 14
Table 1: Course Topics
Course Website: Angel cms.psu.edu.
Final Course Grades will be based on:
Clicker Quizzes: 5%.
Weekly Unit Quizzes: 10%. (Drop lowest 2)
Lab Quizzes: 15%. (Drop lowest 2)
Three midterm exams: 45%.
Comprehensive Final exam: 25%.
Final Grades: Your final grade will be no lower than
A : 93-100%, A- : 90-92%
B+ : 87-89%, B : 83-86%, B- : 80-82%,
C+ : 77-79%, C : 70-76%
D : 60-69% , F : 0-59%
Correspondence: All email correspondence to me MUST be done using the ANGEL email (under
Communicate tab in ANGEL). All other email will not be answered.
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Shared Office Hours (SOH): Shared office hours will be held in 7B Sparks building and will be
available starting the second week of classes from 1-4 and 6-9 pm for Monday through Wednesday.
On Thursdays they will be held from 1-3 and 6-9 pm.
Clicker Quizzes:
• This class will use the i>Clicker system for quizzes during lectures.
• At least 13 randomly timed, in-class quizzes will be given, and your best 10 scores will count
toward the final score.
Unit Quizzes:
• These will be timed multiple-choice quizzes that will serve the purpose of homework.
• Will last from 20-40 minutes and range from 10-20 problems.
• Will be posted after lecture on Thursdays and must be completed by 11:55 pm on Sundays.
• You may take unit quizzes from any computer and they will not require use of the statistical
software Minitab.
• The purpose of unit quizzes is to ensure you try to understand the material as soon as it is
presented and not wait till midterm exams.
• There will be 14 in all and the lowest 2 will be dropped.
• Unit quizzes cannot be made up.
Lab Activities:
• On Fridays, there well be a “lab activity” for you to complete in 214 Boucke either individually
or in small groups.
• Lab Activities will include both data analysis & concept illustration often requiring the use
of the statistical software package: Minitab.
• Be prepared to learn - bring your textbook, calculator, and/or lecture notes (review in advance).
• You must attend lab at the time listed for your section. Teaching assistants (TAs) and learning
assistants (LAs) will be in the lab to facilitate your learning.
• You do not have to turn in your lab activity solutions. The solutions to the lab activity will
be posted in Angel at 6 pm on Fridays.
Lab Quizzes:
• These will be given on Mondays in 214 Boucke and will be any where from 20 to 50 minutes
in length.
• You must work individually. Do not attempt to cheat.
• TAs and LAs will act as proctors. Do not ask them questions related to content. You may
however ask them questions related to computer malfunction, e.g. issues with the software
Minitab and Angel.
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• There will be 13 lab quizzes and the lowest 2 will be dropped.
• Very important: You cannot take lab quizzes outside of 214 Boucke and outside
of your scheduled lab time.
Midterm Exams:
• There will be 3 midterm exams given on September 22, October 20 and November 17.
• These will be given in 214 Boucke and you will have 30 questions to be completed in 50
minutes.
• Exams are closed book. You are allowed one (1) sheet of HANDWRITTEN notes (may be
front and back).
• No calculators allowed. Any tables necessary will be provided.
• No make-ups are available. If you miss an exam, your score will be recorded as a zero.
• You must bring your PSU ID to all exams.
Final Exam:
• Will be selectively comprehensive (about 50 questions) 90 - 110 minutes.
• Must be taken on scheduled date & time during exams week.
Course Rules:
1. No late or make-up exams will be given. If you must miss any exam, you should provide a
valid reason IN WRITING to the instructor PRIOR TO THE EXAM. If you have to miss
an exam at the last minute for some reason, be sure to notify the instructor prior to the
exam time by email or by leaving a phone message; in these cases, you should later back
up your excuse with written documentation. Once the instructor has approved your written
excuse, your final grade will be calculated without the missed exam (e.g., if you miss one of
the midterms, then the two midterms that you did take will account for 45% of your final
grade).
2. No make-up quizzes (be it clicker quiz, unit quiz or lecture quiz) will be given for ANY reason.
3. Students are responsible for all announcements and supplements given within any lecture and
email.
4. If you need to leave class early, please sit in the rear and leave as quietly as possible.
5. Please be courteous to your classmates and keep extra noise to a minimum.
6. Please turn off all cell phones and pagers during class.
Academic Integrity and Mutual Respect: All Penn State University, College of Science, and
Department of Statistics policies regarding ethics, honorable behavior, and mutual respect apply in
this course.
• Penn State’s Policies http://www.psu.edu/ufs/policies/
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• College of Science’s Academic Integrity Policy http://science.psu.edu/current-students/
Integrity/Policy.html
• College of Science’s Code of Mutual Respect and Cooperation http://science.psu.edu/
climate/code-of-mutual-respect-and-cooperation
Disabilities Statement: Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University’s educational programs. If you have a disability-related need for reasonable academic adjustments in
this course, contact the office for Disability Services (ODS) at 814-863-1807 or visit their website
http://equity.psu.edu/ods/
Campus Emergencies: Campus emergencies, including weather delays, are announced on Penn
State Live and communicated to cellphones, email, the Penn State Facebook page, and Twitter via
PSUTXT (to sign up, please see http://psutxt.psu.edu).
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