-- COURSE SYLLABUS --
MT143 -- Introductory Statistics I

Summer 2008

The 2008 Summer Session 1 begins on Tuesday 5/27/08 and ends on Thursday 7/3/08.
The 2008 Summer Session 2 begins on Monday 7/7/08 and ends on Thursday 8/14/08.

Instructor: -- M. Alsani --
Office: K149D - mailboxes are located in K249
Office Hours: by prior appointment.
Phone: 851-1324
E-mail: alsani@ecc.edu (Local Users.)
Homepage: http://north.ecc.edu/alsani

TEXTBOOK: Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3/E;
By: Ron Larson & Elizabeth Farber; Published by Prentice Hall Co., 2005;

Supplies- Scientific Calculator - does not need to be a graphing calculator.
Greetings! I take this opportunity to welcome you to MT143 (Introductory Statistics I). This is a first course in descriptive and inferential statistics. Topics include descriptive statistics; probability distributions; confidence intervals and tests of hypotheses of means and proportions; simple correlation and regression; and computing with the computer program Minitab.
Pre-requisite: It is assumed that you have completed MT007 or MT013 with a passing grade, or appropriate college equivalent, or have a satisfactory placement test score. This means you need to be comfortable with simple algebra (e.g., know how to read formulas, equation of a straight line, plotting points, taking powers and roots with a calculator). Because of the wide variability of the grades professors give, I cannot say that a grade of an "A" or "B" in the prerequisite means you have a firm grasp of the prerequisite material.
I hope that your experience here will be pleasant and productive. I shall try to do my part; however, as is true at all levels of study, the student must do the hard work of learning. All learning of significant knowledge requires considerable effort on the part of the learner. I assume you will put forth an honest effort in this class. By this I mean that you will come to class (or get the notes when you miss), that you will try to do the homework, that you will seek help on those problems you can't do, (If you've seriously worked on a problem for 15 minutes without getting it, then it's time to get help. More than that is a waste of your time. Less than that doesn't give you a real chance to do it yourself). Studying requires discipline, tenacity, and hard work. Plan two hours study time for every hour you spend in class. For this course, I believe that you need an average of 15 hours per week studying.
I hope this syllabus answered many questions about the class. If questions or other concerns arise, do not hesitate to contact me and ask. You may send me email at alsani@ecc.edu

COURSE TOPICS and ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT LEARNING:

Page	Chapter, Section & Topic
32	2. Descriptive Statistics 2.1 Frequency Distributions and Their Graphs 2.2 More Graphs and Displays 2.3 Measures of Central Tendency 2.4 Measures of Variation 2.5 Measures of Position
214	5. Normal Probability Distributions 5.1 Introduction to Normal Distributions and the Standard Normal Distribution 5.2 Normal Distributions: Finding Probabilities 5.3 Normal Distribution: Finding Values 5.4 Sampling Distributions and the Central Limit Theorem
278	6. Confidence Intervals 6.1 Confidence Intervals for the Mean (Large Samples) 6.2 Confidence Intervals for the Mean (Small Samples) 6.3 Confidence Intervals for Population Proportions
330	7. Hypothesis Testing with One Sample 7.1 Introduction to Hypothesis Testing 7.2 Hypothesis Testing for the Mean (Large Samples) 7.3 Hypothesis Testing for the Mean (Small Samples) 7.4 Hypothesis Testing for Proportions
456	9. Correlation and Regression 9.1 Correlation 9.2 Linear Regression 9.3 Coefficient of Determination
116	3. Probability 3.1 Basic Concepts of Probability. 3.2 Conditional Probability and the Multiplication Rule 3.3 The Addition Rule 3.4 Counting Principles
170	4. Discrete Probability Distributions 4.1 Probability Distributions 4.2 Binomial Distributions

Assessment of student learning will be measured by Three in-class exams, a FINAL cumulative in-class exam, and a simple web project. However, your lowest exam's score (not the final) will be dropped. There are NO makeup exams in this course without a documented reason. If you miss an exam you will receive a zero for that exam and, presumably, you will wish to drop that score. Material for the exams will be drawn from (1) the text, (2) additional readings that I assign, and (3) information presented during class lectures. Exams will be closed book but you can have one page of notes.

Tentative Assessment Outline
Exam #1	Chapter 2
Exam #2	Chapter 5 and 6
Exam #3	Chapter 7 and 9
Final Exam	Cumulative
Web project	Due End of Semester

The course grade is based on 100%, obtained as follows:

Assessment component	Percent
The best two exams and the final	30% each
Web project	10%

The following Grade Distribution will be used:

A	:	90% - 100%
A^-	:	88% - 89%

B⁺	:	86% - 87%
B	:	80% - 85%
B^-	:	78% - 79%

C⁺	:	76% - 77%
C	:	66% - 75%
C^-	:	60% - 65%

D	:	50% - 59%
F	:	below 50%

CLASSROOM POLICIES

A MAKE-UP EXAM will only be given to those students that have a valid excuse. You must have a letter from a person in authority: medical doctor, lawyer, judge, parent, supervisor, etc. An unexcused absence from an exam is an exam of score 0. Please write down the reason why you missed the test on a piece of paper and turn it in with all supportive material as soon as possible for my approval. Excuses such as over-sleeping, forgetting or not knowing the date of the exam, and lack of studying are explicitly noted as unacceptable grounds for missing an exam.
STUDENT BEHAVIOR/CLASSROOM DECORUM: Free discussion, inquiry, and expression are encouraged in this class. Classroom behavior that interferes with either (a) the instructor’s ability to conduct the class or (b) the ability of students to benefit from the instruction is not acceptable. Examples may include routinely entering class late or departing early; repeatedly talking in class without being recognized; talking while others are speaking; or arguing in a way that is perceived as “crossing the civility line”; and use of beepers, cellular telephones, or other electronic devices. Please turn off (or set to “silent” mode) any electronic devices such as watch alarms, pagers and cellular phones. In the event of a situation where a student legitimately needs to carry a beeper/cellular telephone to class, prior notice and approval of the instructor is required. Anyone behaving in a disruptive manner or refusing to follow the usual standards for academic behavior may receive a course grade of 'F' and may be barred from attending class.

FOOD & DRINKS: Do not bring food into the classroom. Food and drinks are absolutely off limits inside the computer lab. They are potential hazard among other things.

ATTENDANCE: Attendance is required. When you sign up for a class you are making a commitment to come to the class sessions. Missing even one class may, sometimes, adversely affect your ability to understand the subsequent material, hence your grade. My experience has shown that frequent absences for personal reasons or minor illnesses indicate no ability to commit to the class and/or school.

What You Are
Expected to
Do:

Come on time and pay attention in class. As you listen to the instructor, take notes in a notebook kept for this purpose. Feel free to ask questions. Before class, read the sections in the text covering the new material, study the examples in the text, and bring your questions to class.

When your instructor has finished discussing a section of the textbook, the homework exercises are automatically assigned, including the review exercises. Although not collected, in order to do well in this class you must complete these assignments. For each in-class hour, you should expect to be doing your OWN study and homework for a minimum of two hours outside of class.

Do your work in a notebook for this purpose. It is a good idea, before beginning homework, to review the class notes and examples, reread the section in the text covering the new material, study the examples in the text, begin the homework, and when you finish an exercise set, check your work in the back. If you are having trouble, don't hesitate to get help!

WITHDRAWAL: Students can withdraw by going to the Registrar Office in person. In the event that you have to withdraw, the grade that appears on your transcript will be a "W".
If you stop going to classes, and you do not withdraw, the grade that appears on your transcript will be an "F".

ACADEMIC HONESTY: Plagiarism will not be tolerated in this course. You are encouraged to discuss homework problems with others. You will have to take all quizzes and exams on your own. Violations of this policy will be dealt with in a manner consistent with College guidelines.

HOMEWORK: Regular homework problems will be assigned, but not collected. The purpose of the homework is (1) to more fully explore the concepts presented in the class and in the text; (2) to help practice the mechanics of problem solving; and (3) to prepare you for the examinations.
Please do not allow yourself to fall behind in doing your homework, and do not wait until just before test day to get help if you do not understand material. You will be tested on material covered in class and on problems related to the assignments.

CALCULATORS: Use a Scientific or graphing Calculator. "Phone calculators" are absolutely off limits during test periods.
HELP: It can be found in the mathematics-learning center in D110 by the library, from me during office hours, and the course companion website. In addition, study together. It is much more fun, and it is very effective for doing well in mathematics. Studies, and my personal observations, show that students who work together in small groups are less likely to drop the course and are more likely to get A's or B's. You need time to work on the material alone, but study groups of 3-5 students, working together 2 or 3 times a week for a couple hours, seem to help everyone in the group. Study groups offer you a way to get and give help on the material, and they can provide an occasional psychological boost. They are a place to use the mathematical language of the course, to trade mathematical tips, and to "cram" for the next day's test. Students in study groups are less likely to miss important points in the course, and they get to know some very nice people, their classmates.
DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION: If you are a qualified student with a disability seeking accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you are required to self-identify with the Disabled Students Services' Office (room S-217, phone 851-1495 ) for further information. Students are encouraged to bring information about accommodations to this instructor as early in the semester to avoid any delay in implementing accommodations. Accommodations are not retroactive.

OTHER CONCERNS: Some of the concerns I hear from students are the following:
- I can't be admitted in the program I want unless I get a "B" in this course.
- This course will not be transferred to my school unless I get a "C" in it.
- My institution will not pay the tuition for the course unless I pass it.
- I'll not graduate this semester unless I pass this course.
My answer to these comments is: "You have to earn the appropriate grade yourself; it will not just be handed to you."

IMPORTANT DATES: The 2008 Summer Session 1 begins on Tuesday 5/27/08 and ends on Thursday 7/3/08.
The 2008 Summer Session 2 begins on Monday 7/7/08 and ends on Thursday 8/14/08.

Other MT143 Information

A. CATALOG DESCRIPTION: (C, N, S) (3,2) 4 Credits (R)

This four-credit course includes concepts and computer skills that are valuable in a variety of life and work applications, as well as in more advanced coursework. This course will include topics from descriptive and inferential statistics: graphing, measures of central tendency and dispersion, probability frequency distributions, Central Limit Theorem, the normal distribution, sampling concepts, estimation, hypothesis testing, linear regression, correlation, introduction to an operating system, utilization of a statistical software package, interpretation of computer output, and explaining and interpreting statistical analysis. Prerequisite: MT007 or MT013 or appropriate college equivalent, and/or appropriate mathematics level code. Level code is determined by Mathematics Department placement test and/or successful completion of mathematics courses.

B. PROGRAM/GENERAL EDUCATION COMPETENCIES:

To read critically.
Related Course Objectives: 1-8. Related Lab Objectives: 1-7.
To write correctly and effectively.
Related Course Objectives: 1-8. Related Lab Objectives: 1-7.
To apply appropriate mathematical procedures and quantitative methods.
Related Course Objectives: 1-8. Related Lab Objectives: 1-7.
To operate a computer
Related Course Objectives: 1-8. Related Lab Objectives: 1-7.
To identify and logically analyze problems and issues and to propose and evaluate solutions.
Related Course Objectives: 1-8. Related Lab Objectives: 1-7.
To form reasoned value judgments.
Related Course Objectives: 1-8. Related Lab Objectives: 1-7
To exhibit the research skills necessary for lifelong learning.
Related Course Objectives: 1-8. Related Lab Objectives: 1-7.
To demonstrate an understanding of the nature of our society and demonstrate the ability to conduct effective social relationships.
Related Course Objectives: 1-8. Related Lab Objectives: 1-7.
To demonstrate a knowledge of the process of science and its products or outcomes.
Related Course Objectives: 1-8. Related Lab Objectives: 1-7.
To demonstrate awareness of the inter-disciplinary nature of knowledge.
Related Course Objectives: 1-8. Related Lab Objectives: 1-7.

C. COURSE OBJECTIVES: At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

Define basic statistical terms.
Use key characteristics of a distribution to quantify the shape, center, and spread of the distribution.
Compute probabilities and apply the concepts of probability to confidence intervals and hypothesis tests.
Use a table, MINITAB, and the binomial probability density function to compute expected values and probabilities associated with binomial experiments.
Use a table of areas, and MINITAB to compute relative frequencies and percentages associated with a continuous random variable with a normal distribution.
Use hypothesis tests to weigh inferences concerning means and proportions.
Use a confidence interval to estimate and measure the accuracy of means.
Use a scatter plot of bivariate data to visualize the relationship between variables, use the correlation coefficient to measure the strength and direction of the relationship, and compute and use a linear function (where appropriate) to describe a linear relationship between the variables and make predictions.

LABORATORY OBJECTIVES: The student should be able to use MINITAB to:

Draw a histogram, stem-and-leaf diagram, dotplot, boxplot and compute measures of central tendency and dispersion.
Make random selections of data and simulate experiments.
Compute normal distributions and sampling distributions of the mean.
Conduct hypothesis tests to weigh inferences concerning means and proportions.
Find interval estimates concerning means and proportions.
Draw a scatter plot and regression line of a linear relationship between two variables, measure the strength and direction of the relationship, and where appropriate, make predictions using the aforementioned relationship.

Page

Chapter, Section & Topic

CLASSROOM POLICIES

Other MT143 Information