MA 117 Introduction to Probability and Statistics

 

 

Prof. Jane McDougall  Barnes 101
Palmer Room 134 

9:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Office Phone: 389 6275 

Office Hours: M - Th 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

E-mail: JMcDougall@ColoradoCollege.edu 

 

 

Text

Statistics, 3rd Edition, by Freedman, Pisani and Purves.

 

Assessment

The course grade will be based on quizzes, homeworks, the midterms, and the final as follows:

 

Quizzes   

 15%

Homework   

 10%

Midterm   

 20%

Final   

 25%

Project   

 20%

Lab Work   

 5%

Participation   

 5%

 

Quizzes will be distributed after class, and will be due at 3:30 p.m. There will be eight quizzes in all. Makeup quizzes and exams are only possible for pre-excused absences. However, your lowest quiz score will be dropped.

 

Homework will be due on twice a week. Questions will be graded on a three point scale according to the accuracy of your answer. You may work in pairs, turning in just one paper, or individually if you prefer. Late homework will be accepted, but penalized by 10% for each day past due. Homework cannot be accepted after the solutions have been distributed!

 
The Project will be due in three phases. You will decide on your research question early on in the block (phase I). The second phase involves collecting and carrying out initial analyses on your data. The third phase consists of a full write up and additional statistical analysis consistent with the new statistical methods studied in class. Everyone must carry out their own project.

 

Honour Code

You may discuss homework problems with one another, but you should not directly share answers. The midterm and final are to taken in Barnes, Palmer Hall or in the Library. All tests and quizzes will be closed book and closed class-mate, and are to reflect only your own work.

 

Participation

Participation includes such things as being involved in group/class discussion, asking questions in class, volunteering to present problems at the board, and attending class regularly. Please call XT 6275 if for some reason you must be absent. Attendance is expected for the midterm and the final!

 

Assistance Out of Class

In the afternoons, make use of my office hours! Also, check the Paraprofessional's Office Hours (Palmer 130). Evening Math Tutoring is available from 7 - 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday in Palmer 126.

 

Important Dates

Monday November 1st  

Course Begins

Monday November 8th  

Phase I of the Project is due.

Thursday November 11th  

Midterm 9 a.m. to noon. Monday November 15th Phase II of the Project is due.

Tuesday November 23rd  

Final 9 a.m. to noon.

Wednesday November 24th  

Presentation of Projects.

 

Approximate Schedule

Week One:  

Chapters 19, 1 to 6, 13, 14

Survey Design, Experimental Design (controlled experiments versus observational studies). Measuring the centre and spread of data. Outliers and bias. Probability.

Week Two:  

Chapters 16 -17, 21 - 23

Chance variability and the Law of Averages. Box Models and Roulette. Expected Value and the Standard Error. Applications to Sample Surveys. Confidence Intervals and the Central Limit Theorem.

Week Three:  

Chapters 26 - 28, 7 - 10

Tests of Significance (Hypothesis Testing). The Chi Squared Test. ANOVA. The equation of a line, scatter diagrams, and the Correlation Coefficient. Regression.

Week Four:  

Chapter 11 - 12

RMS Error and the Regression Line.
 

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