Download University of Vermont Department of Mathematics & Statistics STAT 51 Syllabus Course:

University of Vermont
Department of Mathematics & Statistics
STAT 51 Syllabus
Course:
Probability with Statistics
Section: STAT 51A
Room:
Perkins 107
Time:
MWF 10:40 am – 11:30 am
Office:
106 Mansfield House
Instructor: Katherine Merrill
CRN:
91387
Office Hours: M 9:30-10:30am/W 2-3pm/R 10-11am
E-mail/Webpage: Use blackboard messaging to communicate to me: Blackboard Webpage
Office Phone:
656-3429
Textbook:
“Statistics, concepts and Controversies,” David S. Moore and William I. Notz, 7 Edition, Freeman Publishing. A copy of the
textbook is on reserve at the library. Book Companion Website: http://www.whfreeman.com/scc7e .
th
Course Description:
Probability with Statistics is a course designed to explore and understand the role that statistics play in our everyday
lives. We’ll begin the course by looking at the ways that statistics are used and collected; we’ll consider different approaches to sampling and study
design. The second portion of the class will be devoted to ways that data can be understood using graphs and numerical summaries. The third
portion will cover the basics of probability and probability distributions. The last portion of the class will deal with generalizing sample results to
the population, using confidence intervals and hypothesis tests. A large amount of our investigation will involve reading and analyzing real world
news and statistical reports, as well as in-class activities.
Technology:
You are required to obtain a basic calculator capable of doing powers and square roots. It is recommended to have a TI-83 or
TI-84 is possible… these are very easy to use and have some really neat statistical features. JMP software (free UVM download)
is optional for the project.
Grading: Your grade for the course will be based on:

Project (10%)

Quizzes (10%)

Attendance (5%)

Tests (20% each)

Final Exam (15%)
Final letter grades are determined as follows:
A+
97-100
B+
87-89
A
94-96
B
84-86
A90-93
B80-83
C+
C
C-
77-79
74-76
70-73
D+
D
D-
67-69
64-66
60-63
Expectations and UVM Policies:
Students are expected to act in accordance to the rules outlined in the University’s Policy Statements.

Religious Holidays: If you need to miss class to observe a religious holiday, please submit the dates of your absence in writing by the
end of the second full week of the semester.

Late Work/Absences: You may submit two late quizzes. Make-up tests will be given if an emergency arises.

Academic Integrity Policy

Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities

FERPA Rights Disclosure

Diversity at UVM and in the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences

Cell phones, iPhones, iPods, iAnything: To be respectful of the learning environment, it is expected that none of these items will be
out or turned on in the classroom. These items are forbidden to be out during an examination.
Help Outside Class:
The TA for the course is Craig Powers and has office hours at T/R 1:00-2:00pm and W 10:30-11:30am.
Peer Tutoring through the Learning Coop is available.
Academic Assistance:
Students with documented learning disabilities are entitled by law to certain “reasonable accommodations.” If you
have a documented reason for special accommodations, you must provide written evidence of this as soon as possible from the appropriate office.
Further info at http://www.uvm.edu/~aspprogs .
Course Goals
G1: Students should gain an understanding of and appreciation for the utility and limitations of data and statistical methods for solving realworld problems.
G2: Students should gain an appreciation for the methods of data collection, including an understanding of potential pitfalls, biases, and
ethical issues.
G3: Students should gain facility with the terminology, notation, and tools generally found in an introductory statistics course. In particular,
students should be comfortable reading and understanding an article citing summarized statistics, and be able to dissect it into relevant
course-related components.
G4: Students should demonstrate a basic understanding of the laws and rules of probability, and how they relate to statistics, particularly the
ideas of randomness and statistical significance.
G5: Students should demonstrate facility with basic statistical methods, including confidence intervals and hypothesis tests, and more
importantly, students should understand when a particular method is appropriate, and how to appropriately interpret results in the
context of a stated problem.
G6: Students should be able to formulate and communicate solutions to problems in clear, grammatically correct, precise English.
Course Focus
To be able to communicate and interpret statistics.
Course Level
z-scores only, one sample inferential statistics
Course Topics
Required topics listed below, in orders of chapters 1-24 (excluding 23) in Moore & Notz
Introduction

Over view of Statistics and Statistical Studies

Data Classification
Randomness and Statistical Studies

Randomness for Simple Random Sample

Randomness for Simulation Studies

Sample Surveys (sampling methods, survey script design issues)

Comparative Observational Studies (confounding and its implications)

Experiments (experimental design: issues, terminology, statistical significance)

Data Ethics
Descriptive Statistics

Frequency Distributions and Graphs (data table, bar chart, pie chart, histogram, stem-leaf, boxplot)

Measures of Central Tendency (mean, median)

Measures of Variation and Position (range, IQR, standard deviation)
Normal Distribution

Empirical Rule

Finding probabilities and finding percentile values
Correlation and Regression

Scatterplot

Correlation Coefficient

Linear Regression

Consumer Price Index for calculating constant dollars
Probability

Basic Concepts of Probability (multiplication rule, addition rule)

Sampling Distributions for Proportions

Sampling Distributions for Means **(optional)
Inferential Statistics

Confidence Interval for a Proportion

Hypothesis Test for a Proportion

Confidence Interval for a Mean (σ known and/or large n) , **(optional)

Hypothesis Test for a Mean (σ known and/or large n), **(optional)

Chi-Square Test of Independence