According to the American Statistical Association, “Statistics is the science of learning from data, and of measuring, controlling, and communicating uncertainty.” Because most measurements have error, even the exact sciences need statistics. Because many kinds of data in the social sciences come in enormous quantities, sampling is necessary to extract information, and sampling comes with its own kind of error. In this class we will learn the basic techniques of statistics and apply them in a series of labs. There is no prerequisite for this course.
Grading:
Grades will be based on problem sets delivered online via WebWork, weekly quizzes, weekly labs, two midterms and a final.
Mastery (a perfect score) of the basic problems on WebWork is REQUIRED to PASS this course. You will have unlimited
attempts to do each problem, up to the last day of the course.
Your final grade will be calculated according to the following scheme:
- WeBWork (5%)
- Quizzes (15%)
- Labs(20%)
- Midterm Exam 1 (20%)
- Midterm Exam 2 (20%)
- Final Exam (20%)
Attendance and other details:
This
quarter we meet at the 2 hour (Andrews) and the 2A hour (Wallace), and occasionally during the x-hours. We spend class time
on many examples and case studies not included in the text. Attendance is required, as we have difficulty
teaching you when you are not there. Do not schedule other activities during x hour. Do not make travel plans until you
know when the final will be. Your instructor will schedule office hours and will let you know when they will be.
Text:
Math 10 is
using the latest version of Freedman, Pisani and Purves (Fourth edition). This text is a classic. It's extremely
readable and we will expect you to read it. The authors are professional statisticians who have done a lot
of work in medical applications. This is a book that asks you to think, not just compute, as will we.
Office hours: Wallace's office:
Kemeny 204. Office hours: MW 8-10 and by appointment.
These are shared with Math 10, but when we are close to paper
deadlines there will be extra office hours just for this class.
Honor principle: All students must do WebWork problems themselves.
On exams no help given or received. On labs, working together is encouraged but
you must write up your lab report yourself. Any suspicion of plagiarism will be forwarded to the COS.
Religious observance: Some students may wish to take part
in religious observances that occur during this academic term. If you
have a religious observance that conflicts with your participation in
the course, please meet with me before the end of the second week of
the term to discuss appropriate accommodations.
Students with disabilities
enrolled in this course and who may need disability-related classroom
accommodations are encouraged to make an appointment to see your
instructor before the end of the second week of the term. All
discussions will remain confidential, although the Student
Accessibility Services office may be consulted to discuss appropriate
implementation of any accommodation requested. As a first step, if
students have questions about whether they qualify to receive
accommodations, they should contact the Student Accessibility Service
office.