INSTRUCTOR. Prof. Irene Hueter, Department of Mathematics, the University of Massachusetts Boston, Office at Science Center 3-91, Phone (617) 287-6463, Fax (617) 287-6433, Email
irene_hueter@baruch.cuny.edu. For more information, visit my website at http://faculty.baruch.cuny.edu/ihueter/.OFFICE HOURS. Tuesdays 1:00-2:30PM, Thursdays 11:15AM-12:45PM, and by appointment.
AIMS OF THIS COURSE. This introductory statistics course is aimed at non-science and non-mathematics majors only. The emphasis is placed on critical thinking about statistical concepts. The topics to be covered include descriptive statistics, correlation, regression, basic probability, sampling, and an entrance point to statistical inference. For an approximate schedule, see below.
INSTRUCTIONAL FORMAT. Mostly lectures taught by the instructor. Everyone is strongly encouraged to participate in the class activities and ask questions. The chapters are to be read ahead of time.
TEXT. Statistics, by D. Freedman, R. Pisani, and R. Purves (Third Edition), W.W. Norton, 1998, ISBN 0-393-97083-3. The book can be purchased at www.amazon.com or at the Campus Book Store. Each student is required to bring the textbook to every class.
CALCULATOR.
TI-30X II (solar or battery), Casio fx-250HC, or equivalent. Required.
PREREQUISITES.
A student either has been placed into this course via the Mathematics
Placement Exam B (within the last 12 months), has passed Academic
Skills 099, Mathematics Q 114, or Mathematics 115 at U Mass Boston,
or has successfully completed a college-level calculus course.
The Math Placement Test schedule can be found at
http://www.uac.umb.edu/math_dates.htm.
The testing center is located at the Campus Center on the upper level across from
the Atrium Cafe. Phone (617) 287-5522. Also, visit the
Testing Center Services
at
http://www.uac.umb.edu/testing.html#step2. HOMEWORK.
Homework will be assigned in every class. The solutions to the homework problems
will not be collected. To discuss the homework solutions, please make use of the
office hours. Even though the homework does not count towards
your final grade, solving the assigned problems
will be essential to your success in this
course and is one of the best ways to prepare for the exams.
You are expected to work all assigned problems
in each problem set prior to the next class.
You will be able to download the homework assignments
(click here). EXAMS.
There will be three exams (each worth 100 points) and one uniform
departmental comprehensive final exam (worth 200 points).
Thus, each of the three exams is worth 20 % of the final grade,
while the final exam is worth 40 % of the final grade.
Important: For makeups, you must have proper written
documentation, provided close in time to the exam to be missed, preferably
before the exam. If you miss one exam, then your final exam will count
double. EXAM SCHEDULE.
SPRING VACATION.
March 12 - 20, 2005. OTHER IMPORTANT DAYS.
ATTENDANCE.
The instructor will take attendance. Perfect attendance
will be valuable for a student to earn the next higher grade
if the student's score falls between two grades. GRADING.
Your grade will be based on your performance in the three semester exams (60 %)
and the final exam (40 %).
I also give up to 5 % bonus credit for (group) projects and presentations,
for enthusiasm, continued active class participation, and extra efforts. CELL PHONES.
All cell phones should be turned OFF. Be aware that your cell phone at work is
very disruptive to the class, your fellow students, and the instructor. If you expect
an emergency call, please clear it with me before class. ACCOMMODATIONS.
Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 offers guidelines
for curriculum modifications and adaptations for students with documented disabilities.
If appicable, students may obain adaptation recommendations from the Ross Center for Disability Services
at http://www.rosscenter.umb.edu/text/, M-1-401, (617-287-7430). The student
must present recommendations and discuss them with each instructor within a
reasonable period, preferably by the end of the Drop/Add period. ACADEMIC HONESTY.
This class falls under the University Policy on Academic Standards and Cheating,
the University Statement on Plagiarism, the Documentation of Written Work, and the
Code of Student Conduct as delineated in the catalog of Undergraduate Programs, pp.
44-45, and 48-52. Academic dishonesty is unacceptable, will not be tolerated,
and entails sanctions since it undermines the University's educational mission
and the students' personal and intellectual growth. Please inform yourself of
the principles and rules at
http://www.umb.edu/student_services/student_rights/code_conduct.html.
Be aware that ignorance of the Code is not an excuse and that academic
dishonesty may have severe consequences in your student career. GETTING HELP. The following are crucial
factors to your success in this class: attend class regularly, read upcoming
sections ahead of time so that you are prepared to ask questions in class, start
homework early, and get help when there are signs of difficulties, for instance,
confusion with homework problems and low exam scores.
You are strongly encouraged and very welcome to
make frequent use of my office hours, to ask about solutions to homework
problems in particular. While the office hours probably are the most reliable
times to get hold of me, you may also reach me at other times in my office
(Tu, Wedn, Th), over the phone, or by sending me email.
Free tutoring and workshops are available, starting about three weeks into the
semester, at the Mathematics Resource Center in the Advising Center on the
first floor of the Campus Center. A student doing D or F work is advised to
immediately seek help in order to hopefully pass the course. The number of
tutors available to meet on a regular basis is limited. Both, the tutoring
and workshops require signing up in advance. The workshop hours will be announced
shortly.
APPROXIMATE SCHEDULE
Week Book Chapters/Sections
1 (1/25) 3
4
2 (2/1) 5
5 (continued)
3 (2/8) 8, 9
10
4 (2/15) 10 (continued), 11
6, 7, 12.1 (12.2 and 12.3 optional); Review for Exam 1
5 (2/22) 13
EXAM 1 (Thursday, Feb 24) [on Chap. 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, 12]
Read Ch. 1 and 2
6 (3/1) 14
15
7 (3/8) 16
17
SPRING VACATION (March 12 - 20, 2005)
8 (3/22) 18
19, 20
9 (3/29) 21; Review for Exam 2
22, 23
10 (4/5) EXAM 2 (Tuesday, April 5) [on Chap. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20]
6 (re-read), 24
11 (4/12) 26.1-26.4
26.5-26.6
12 (4/19) 27.1-27.2
28.1-28.3, 29
13 (4/26) Special topics, project presentations (time permitting)
Review for Exam 3
14 (5/3) Special topics, project presentations (time permitting)
EXAM 3 (Thursday, May 5) [on Chap. 21, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29]
15 (5/10) Review (for Final Exam)
Review (for Final Exam)
The exam dates may change as the semester progresses.
January 31: Add/drop ends.
February 21: Presidents' Day (Holiday).
March 21: Mid-semester.
April 7: Course withdraw deadline. Pass/fail deadline.
April 18: Patriots Day (Holiday).
May 11: Last day of classes.
May 16-20: Final examinations' week.
May 30: Memorial Day (Holiday).