STAT 100: Elementary Statistics and Probability
Fall 2013
Course Goals
1. To expose the student to the ideas and concepts of statistics and probability.
2. To enable the student to master the concepts, methodologies, techniques and tools
for collection of data, organization of data, and analysis of data to solve typical
problems.
3. To enable the student to:
 understand a problem and recognize the type of issue(s) and/or the kind of
analysis required;
 formulate the problem quantitatively;
 associate the appropriate probabilistic models and statistical techniques;
 understand and interpret the model results and obtain the required solution to
problems using a statistical package (MINITAB for Windows).
4. To enable the student to communicate and present statistical results and inferences.
5. To provide a sound basis in statistics for the student’s future academic and
professional careers and personal life.
Course Description
This course will cover chapters 1-10 and 13 of the text. The main topics include: organizing
and displaying data, measures of central tendency and variation, probability and probability
distributions, sampling distributions, confidence intervals, and hypothesis tests.
Materials Needed
You will need to purchase:
● Access code to WileyPlus, the online homework system
● Calculator (must do basic arithmetic operations and take square roots)
You will need access to or purchase
● Textbook: Statistics: Principles and Methods, 6th Edition, by Johnson and
Bhattacharyya.
● MINITAB
If you purchase WileyPlus, you will have the online version of the book (e-book). You will only
have one year access to the e-book. So if you would like the hard copy of the book, it may be to
your advantage to purchase the hard copy of the book and the access code to WileyPlus as a
bundle.
There will be Homework Assignments and MINITAB Assignments found on WileyPlus (see the
Assignments section below for more details).
Technology Requirements
You are required to master a variety of technologies as a part of this course.
You must be able to navigate and use a computer.
You must purchase an access code so that you are register for your section in WileyPlus. You must
be able to maneuver in the WileyPlus environment because your homework assignments will be
completed and submitted online electronically. And your MINITAB Assignments will be
downloaded from there.
You must demonstrate competence in the use of the MINITAB statistical software system. This
includes but is not limited to the following: properly installing the software on your own computer
(if you choose to do so) or understanding how to access the software on University of Maryland
computers (MINITAB is installed in the Department computer lab (room 0203 MTH) and in
most WAM labs on Campus); understanding how to use MINITAB; understanding how to create
“professional” style graphics and how to insert those graphics into your MINITAB assignments.
You must demonstrate competence in the use of a word processor such as Microsoft Word. In
particular, you must be able to import graphics from MINITAB, create a report, and print it.
You must demonstrate the ability to manage files and use the Internet.
A calculator will be needed (any calculator as long as it can do basic arithmetic operations and can
take square roots). .
Important Information about How We Present Information to You
We will present information to you in several different ways. Some information is contained in the
textbook for this class. This may be the only source of this information. You must read and study
the text to absorb this information. Some information is presented in class only. You must attend
class and listen carefully to your professor to absorb this information. Some information might be
given in the answers to your homework problems only.
Regardless of the manner by which we convey the information to you, you are responsible for
its application for homeworks, quizzes, and tests.
You are expected to attend all lectures, work on homework, and participate in classroom
discussion. We are not responsible for any information missed due to your absence.
Students are expected to read the chapters before the scheduled lecture dates.
Assignments
You will have Homework Assignments and MINITAB Assignments.
Exercises from the text are to be done online using WileyPlus. An access code comes with
the text if purchased as a package (text and WileyPlus) or can be purchased the access
code separately at their web site www.wileyplus.com. Students must register using the a
URL given to you by your instructor. Do not use any other URL than this. Unless otherwise
specified, each week's online homework will be accessible from Monday through the
following Monday.
Homework Assignments will be assigned almost every week (sometimes more than one,
especially during the summer session). Homework Assignments will be available and must
be completed using the WileyPlus. Your answers are submitted electronically through the
WileyPlus which will be due at a designated time. All late homework will have an
automatic 30% reduction. (That is, if your homework had no mistakes, you will receive a
70 instead of 100 if assignment is submitted late.)
You also have MINITAB Assignments. For MINITAB Assignments you are required to type
all homework solutions. That is, you must integrate in a word processor the MINITAB
commands used to solve some the problem, the MINITAB results (including any graphs)
used to solve the problem, and all written answers you provide. You will use the “copy
and paste” features of Windows to accomplish the required integration of material. You
must print out MINITAB assignments and submit them in class before the lecture begins.
Please make sure your submission is stapled with your name on your assignment. (Points
will be taken off if paper your paper is not stapled and/or your name is not present).
There will be a 5 point deduction each day your MINITAB is late (each day, not class
period). After a week, a zero will be given.
You have at most a week after a homework assignment or MINITAB assignment is
returned to question a grade. If you do not notify the instructor within that time, then the
posted grade stands.
Quizzes and Tests
Quizzes:
There will be quizzes approximately every week (sometimes more than one, especially
during the summer session). Quizzes are approximately fifteen minutes in duration.
Tests:
There will be two tests and a final exam. You should bring a calculator (cell phones and
computers are not acceptable during tests and the final), a Study/formula sheet (8X11
front and back, handwritten formula sheet), tables which can be downloaded, and #2
pencil with eraser. You are not allowed to use other materials, including scrap paper.
If you cannot take a test before the test is handed back, then your final exam grade will be
used as that test grade.
You have at most a week after a quiz or test is returned to question a grade. If you do not
notify the instructor within that time, then the posted grade stands.
TESTS ARE CLOSED BOOK.
Policies
Prerequisites: Satisfactory score on Math Placement Exam or Math 110/ or higher.
Homework Due Dates and Times:
All Homework assignments should be submitted electronically in the WileyPlus and will be
due before the class begins if during the week and by Midnight if due on Sunday. MINITAB
will be collected at the day it is due before class begins.
Office Of Disability Services
Disabilities: Students requiring special examination conditions will need to register with
the office of Disabled Students Services (DSS) and make appropriate testing arrangements
with them.
Academic integrity: The University expects all students to adhere to the University Honor
Pledge as stated below.
“I pledge on my honor that I have not given or received any unauthorized assistance on
this assignment/ examination.”
Religious Holidays:
If an exam is scheduled on a religious holiday that you observe, please see your instructor
at least a week in advance.
You have at most a week after any graded assignment or test is returned to question a grade. If
you do not notify the instructor within that time, then the grade posted stands.
Grading
1. Homework (10%): The 3 lowest Homework Assignment grades will be dropped.
2. MINITAB assignments (10%): The lowest MINITAB grade will be dropped only if all
MINITABs are submitted.
3. Quizzes (10%): The 2 lowest quiz grades will be dropped.
4. Two In-Class Tests (20% each)
5. Cumulative Final Exam (30%)
Letter grades will then be assigned according to the following scale:
Numeric
Score
98 – 100
91 – 97
90
88 – 89
81 – 87
80
78– 79
71 – 77
70
60 – 69
0 – 59
Letter
Grade
A+
A
A–
B+
B
B–
C+
C
C–
D
F