Download Winter 2012 Syllabus Math 146, Elementary Statistics

North Seattle Community College
MATH146
Course Syllabus
Elementary Statistics
Winter Quarter 2013
Instructor: Margaret Kuczynski
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (917)-855-4333
Textbook: Elementary Statistics, 5th edition by Larson and Farber
"Students with disabilities who believe that they may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to
contact Disability Services as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a
timely fashion. You may make an appointment with Disability Services by calling 934-3697 or stopping by
the DS office on the 2nd floor of the Campus Center.”
Course Description:
An introductory course for students who need a working knowledge of elementary statistics or who need to
prepare for more advanced statistics coursework, but who do not necessarily have a strong mathematical
background. Both descriptive and inferential concepts are presented with practical applications to such
fields as business, biology, engineering, industry and the social sciences. Descriptive analysis, measures
of central tendency, measures of dispersion, elementary probability, binomial and normal distributions,
central limit theorem, hypothesis testing, linear correlation and regression, chi-square tests and analysis of
variance, will be covered.
Course Outcomes/Learning Objectives:
I.
Utilize current statistical methods and data analysis.
II.
Understand the role of statistics in society.
III.
Apply methods of computations, decision-making skills, and mathematical techniques in one’s
everyday life.
NSCC General Education Outcomes met by Course:
Outcome #1:
Think critically in reading and writing.
A.
Develop attitudes that support problem solving and reasoning.
B.
Apply thinking skills.
Outcome #2:
Use quantitative reasoning processes to understand, analyze, interpret, and
solve quantitative problems.
A.
Realize that quantitative reasoning is based on axiomatic principles,
definitions, and theorems, and demonstrate the ability to distinguish
the differences among these.
B.
Attach meaning to abstract symbols and know when to use which symbol.
C.
Formulate patterns based on specific examples.
D.
Recognize and describe, with mathematics and in English, the
appropriate mathematical model for a given concept or phenomenon.
E.
Recognize and apply the appropriate mathematical skill or process in
arithmetic, algebra, and geometry required in various contexts.
F.
Translate data to graphical representation.
G.
Interpret and make inferences from graphical and numerical data.
H.
Determine if conclusions or solutions are reasonable.
Outcome #4:
Assess, evaluate, and apply information from a variety of sources and contexts.
D.
Critically collect, organize, display, and analyze information.
North Seattle Community College
Course Syllabus
Winter Quarter 2013
Topical Outline:
Introduction to:
I.
Descriptive analysis
II.
Measures of central tendency
III.
Measures of dispersion
IV.
Frequency distributions
V.
Graphs
VI.
Elementary probability
VII.
Binomial Distribution
VIII.
Normal distribution
IX.
Sampling distributions
X.
Central limit theorem
XI.
Inferential statistics
XII.
Hypothesis testing
XIII.
Estimation
XIV.
Linear correlation and regression
XV.
Chi-square tests and Analysis of variance
Expectations of Students
Complete selected homework exercises. This includes an individual project with written report. Take four
tests covering descriptive analysis and presentation of both single variable and bivariate data, elementary
probability and probability distributions, normal distribution and the central limit theorem, and statistical
inference. Take short weekly online quizzes in Canvas.
Methods of Assessment/Evaluation:
I.
4 in-class exams (not cumulative) plus very short online weekly quizzes
II.
Homework (This is very important! It is ungraded, but required to be complete.)
III.
Written report expressing ideas in a clear and organized way (Writing must be at the college level.
Help is provided in The Loft Writing Center.)
IV.
Participation in online discussions
Notes:
We will be moving quickly through a lot of material and to keep up it is suggested that you spend about ten
hours a week studying and completing assignments, depending on your level of prior knowledge.
It is up to you to get help as needed. The Math Learning Center has tutoring in statistics from 9-noon each
day. I have office hours daily from 11-noon or by appointment. Please use them! Please do not
hesitate to let me know if you are having problems in the class.
Grades: Students will be awarded decimal grades for the course based on the percentage of total possible
points earned according to the following table. (Decimal grades between those listed will be assigned
consistent with those shown.)
Overall Percentage
Decimal Grade
Overall Percentage
Decimal Grade
95%-100%
4.0
70%
2.0
90%
3.6
65%
1.6
85%
3.2
60%
1.2
80%
2.8
50%
0.7
75%
2.4
Less than 50%
0.0