Jenzabar University

Quincy College - Plymouth

Course Syllabus

Spring 2011

ONLINE Statistics

MAT 207-75

Instructor: Robert Bostrom

508.747.0400 (message number)

robert.bostrom@fac.quincycollege.edu

This is an online course which requires the student to stay focused and to be self-motivated to do the necessary work online. It is essential to be aware of all the deadlines. MyMathLab or CourseCompass is programmed so that the student is not allowed to complete work after the deadline (day and time specific.)

Please plan accordingly!!!!

(A student may progress through the course ahead of schedule.)

Course description:

This three-credit course introduces the student to the fundamental methods of mathematical statistics. Topics include frequency distributions, measures of central tendency, measures of dispersion, probability, sampling distributions, problems with normal and t-distributions, confidence intervals, and hypothesis testing.

Required Textbook (Hard copy or Electronic copy):

Triola, Mario F. (2011). Essentials of Statistics (4th Ed.) Boston: Addison-Wesley.

Required Technology:

I.          You need to buy an access code to MyMathLab or Coursecompass. You have two options:

            Option A:          You may purchase the access code as a part of the textbook bundle (highly                                                 recommended):

                        The College Bookstore:

                        Location: 1357 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA 02169         Telephone: 617-773-4849

            Option B:          You may purchase the "code only" at the College Bookstore or you can buy the access code on the MyMathLab/Coursecompass website. (Note: both site names represent the same site: www.mymathlab.com and www.coursecompass.com.) Once on the web page, on the bottom left hand corner of the page, under "Students," click on the link "How to Buy Access." Note: if just the code is purchased on the website, the student will NOT have a hard copy of the textbook. However, an electronic copy of the textbook is available on the website. 

If you already have an existing account with Coursecompass, then you still need to purchase an access code, which can be done with your Coursecompass login information. You may continue to use the same login information.

II.        You also need the Instructor Course ID to register for this class: 

                                    The Instructor Course Id is: bostrom03105

III.       You need an e-mail address: It is recommended that you provide an e-mail account you are most likely to use. Your Quincy College e-mail is NOT required.

IV.       You need a calculator: TI-83 Plus or TI-84 Plus.

How to Get Started Online:

q      Log onto the internet.

q      Go to the website www.mymathlab.com or www.coursecompass.com.

q      Set up an account on MyMathLab with your access code and an e-mail address.

q      Set up a course with my Instructor Course ID: bostrom03105

q      Check your computer's software under the MyStatLab Browser Check. i.e., check for the appropriate plug-ins.

q      Take the tour - "How to Enter Answers Using MathXL Player."

q      Complete homework assignment #1: Orientation to MyMathLab.

If you have any questions, please e-mail me at robert.bostrom@fac.quincycollege.edu. If you are in MyMathLab working on a problem and would like to e-mail me about a concern, then hit the tab "Ask My Instructor." This sets up an e-mail with my address and the problem that you are working on. Then just add a description in the box.

Help With MyMathLab:

If something appears to be not working on MyMathLab, then click on the help link. Usually, it is not the website that is the problem, but a setting on your computer. For example, if the videos do not play, you probably do not have the updated software. Find the link, "Getting Started With Coursecompass" which will help you to install plug-ins for your computer. You may also call support at 1-800-677-6337 Monday through Friday 8am to 8pm and Sunday 5pm to 12am.

Course Learning Outcomes:

·        Define descriptive statistics and inferential statistics

·        Differentiate between a population and a sample

·        Differentiate among different types of data

·        Construct and interpret histograms

·        Find the mean, median, and mode of a data set

·        Find the range, variance, and standard deviation of a data set

·        Calculate the probability of an event

·        Construct a Venn diagram

·        Determine if two events are mutually exclusive

·        Calculate conditional probability

·        Determine if two events are independent

·        Construct and interpret probability distributions

·        Calculate the mean and variance for discrete random variables

·        Calculate the mean and variance for continuous random variables

·        Standardize a normal distribution

·        Use the normal distribution to calculate probabilities

·        Describe and interpret sampling distributions

·        Understand and apply the Central Limit Theorem

·        Construct a confidence interval for a population mean

·        Make decisions based on confidence intervals

·        Differentiate between types of errors in hypothesis testing

Instructional Methodologies: 

Read the assigned chapter sections according to the date specified (see the Course Outline below) and then complete the homework assignment pertaining to each section on the website MyMathLab/Coursecompass.   Throughout the semester, there are six tests which should be taken after completing the assigned section (see the Course Outline below). You will need a calculator and the "Formulas and Tables" pullout from the textbook to complete the work throughout the semester.

It is the student's responsibility to be aware of the due dates and course content. Some assignments will be due in one week, and others will be due in two weeks. Also, some weeks the course content may be lighter or heavier than in other weeks. That is, statistics covers a range of topics, and some concepts are easier to grasp than others. Do not assume that since you understand one chapter and spend only two hours on the assignments that the next chapters will be as easily understood. You may find that other chapters will require significantly more time to understand and master. In general, the further we go into the course, the more time you should plan on spending to complete the coursework.

Homework Assignments: 

For each section covered in the course you will have a corresponding homework assignment. There are a total of 27 homework assignments. 

For each question that you are asked to answer in the homework assignment, there are a number of options to help you learn. To understand each of the help buttons, please take the online tour and complete homework assignment #1, which demonstrates how to use MyMathLab. 

In general, you have many opportunities to answer a question correctly when completing the homework assignments. There are two ways in which you may achieve 100% correct on all of your homework assignments. 

1.      You can work on an individual question until you answer it correctly. For example, let’s say you need to solve for x when 3x = 6. If you answer this incorrectly you may ask for another question by clicking the tab “Similar Problem.” The program will regenerate another problem. For example,

            5x = 10. You can try the same question until you get it correct. 

2.      Once you have completed a homework assignment, you may log out and log back in at a later time, reenter that homework assignment, and try the incorrect questions again.  

Chapter Tests:

After completing a series of homework assignments, there are 6 chapter tests. The test consists of items from that particular chapter, and the questions are similar to the homework assignments. 

However, tests are administered differently than homework assignments. The program simulates a testing situation in that there are no help buttons available (i.e. “Help Me Solve This”, “Ask My Instructor”, “View an Example.”) There are approximately 25 questions presented and you must answer those questions. 

You have the opportunity to take the test twice and the higher of the two grades will count. MyMathLab will regenerate similar problems for the second administration of the test. 

Additionally, there is a 90 minute time limit for taking the tests. For chapter tests, the student has 90 minutes to complete the test. Logging out does not stop your time. MyMathLab will allow the student to continue taking the test for only 90 minutes after starting the test. Your score will be calculated based upon the number of items correct and the percentage of the test completed.  

Grading Policy:

The overall grade will be a weighted average of the homework assignments, chapter tests, and the Final Exam. The weighted average will then be converted to a letter grade that is used by Quincy College (see below.) 

The weighted average will be calculated in the following manner:

            The average of your homework grades will count as 35% of the overall grade.

            The average of your chapter test grades will count as 35% of the overall grade.

            The Final Exam will count as 30% of the overall grade.

Quincy College uses the following grade system.

(There are no A+, D+, and D- grades)

                                                LETTER GRADE                                 AVERAGE POINTS

                                                            A                                              93 and above

                                                            A-                                            90-92

                                                            B+                                            87-89

                                                            B                                              83-86

                                                            B-                                            80-82

                                                            C+                                            77-79

                                                            C                                              73-76

                                                            C-                                            70-72

                                                            D                                             60-69

                                                            F                                              Below 60

                                                            I                                               Incomplete

                                                            W                                             Withdrawn

COURSE OUTLINE AND ASSIGNMENTS:

DEADLINES:

OVERVIEW OF GRADE CALCULATION:

MAKE-UP POLICY:

Whereas this is an on-line course, the student is expected to plan accordingly. If a situation arises and the student is unable to complete the assignment as scheduled, the student has 1 day from the deadline to contact the instructor by either e-mail, phone, or in person. After contact is made, it is at the discretion of the instructor to determine if the student is eligible to make-up the missed work and what the make-up would be. Otherwise, the student receives a 0 for the assignment when grades are calculated at the conclusion of the course

WITHDRAWAL POLICY:

Students are allowed to withdraw from a course and receive a grade of “W” until the last day to withdraw from the Spring 2011 semester (April 8). 

In order to receive a grade of “W”, students must officially withdraw from a course by completing a withdrawal form. These withdrawal forms, also called drop/add forms, are available in the Enrollment Services Office, Newport Hall 120. 

Failure to complete the course does not constitute a course withdrawal. A student who stops submitting work, without officially withdrawing, will receive an earned final grade, which may be a failure, if requirements have not been met.

TUTORING SERVICES: 

1.     Free tutoring is available through MyMathLab.

2.     Free tutoring services are offered in the Nicastro Learning Center (telephone 617-984-1664) located at Newport Hall Room 254. 

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

I am required to report attendance. Therefore, if you miss a test then you will be marked absent for that particular day. Attendance will not be calculated into the grade. There is a schedule with deadlines for all homework assignments, and chapter tests. They must be completed in a timely manner. 

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY STATEMENT:

In keeping with our mission, Quincy College will foster a high standard of academic honesty for students, faculty, and staff and will seek to preserve the rights of our entire College community. As part of our academic integrity policy, all members of the college community will adhere to the basic values of mutual respect and responsibility as well as individual and institutional integrity. Students will be informed about those actions that constitute a breach of integrity and about those sanctions that may result from academic dishonesty. In the interests of promoting the best environment for learning, we, the community of Quincy College, pledge to advance the principles of honor and integrity in all our actions.