Download Szydlik, J.

Math 317 (4 credits)
Probability and Statistics for Elementary and Middle School Programs
Fall 2007
Pre-requisites: Math 104 (College Algebra) or higher placement, Mathematics
211 (Geometry and Measurement) and Mathematics 217 (Data Exploration),
each with a grade of C or better.
Course Objectives: Welcome to Math 317! In this course you will learn to
organize and interpret data and summary statistics, understand basic probability
ideas, understand and evaluate statistical claims. You will also learn about
current curricular objectives in probability and statistics for school children and
explore their misconceptions in this content area. Finally, you will learn about the
historical development of probability and statistics as a mathematical discipline.
Instructor: Dr. Jen Szydlik
Office: 218 Swart; Phone: 424-7350; email: [email protected]
Office hours: Monday and Friday 10:20 – 11:20; Tuesday 12:40 -1:40;
Wednesday 4:10 -5:10 and other times by appointment. I am happy to meet with
you, please let me know if you need some help.
Textbook: Big Ideas in Mathematics for Future Middle Grades Teachers and
Elementary Math Specialists: Big Ideas in Probability and Statistics by Beam and
Szydlik. The first half of this text is available for purchase in the bookstore. The
second half will come later.
Calculator: You will need a graphics programmable calculator (any type is fine).
Course Outline:
Chapter 1: Foundations:
NCTM Standards, data, association, correlation, linear
regression, probability language, conditional probabilities
frequency, data displays, fallacies, measures of center,
measures of spread, expected value, and the Law of Large
Numbers. (7 weeks)
Chapter 2: Counting:
permutations, set permutations and combinations. (3 weeks)
Chapter 3: Inference:
Baye’s Theorem, the idea of hypothesis testing and
confidence intervals. (4 weeks)
Format: Class time will generally be spent solving interesting problems in small
groups and discussing strategies, solutions and ideas that arise from the
problems. We will also use class time to highlight important ideas from daily
reading assignments and homework. Tuesdays will be used for work on class
projects and presentations. You are expected to complete all reading
assignments and assigned homework outside of class.
Evaluation: Your grade in this course will be based on:
1) Projects. We will complete 3 group projects: a Probability Simulation, an
Educational Project, and a Historical Project. Each of these will be worth
10% of your course grade.
2) Exams. We will have two exams in class each worth 25% of your course
grade. The dates of those exams are Friday, October 26th and Friday,
December 14th.
3) Attendance. Your presence in class is important to you, to your group and
to the whole class. So, to support you in attending class, attendance is
worth 5% of your grade. You may miss two classes for any reason (illness,
religious observance, sports, caring for children, watching TV, sleeping …)
without penalty. After that, you will lose 1% of your course grade for each
day missed up to 5%.
4) Quizzes and Homework. A variety of quizzes and short homework
assignments will compose 15% of your course grade.
Grades will be assigned approximately as follows:
A: 90 – 100%
B: 80 – 89%
C: 70 – 79%
D: 60 – 69%
F: 0 – 59% of the course points.
Intermediate grades (AB, BC, and CD) will be given when the students is close to
the cut off for the next highest grade.