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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "MA 208"
COURSE NAME: "Statistics I"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session I 2018
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Benjamin Scharadin
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MTWTH 9:00 AM - 10:50 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS:
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: Placement into MA 197 or completion of MA 100 or MA 101 with a grade of C- or above
OFFICE HOURS: by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
An introduction to descriptive statistics, elementary probability theory and inferential statistics. Included are: mean, median, mode and standard deviation; probability distributions, binomial probabilities and the normal distribution; problems of estimation; hypothesis testing, and an introduction to simple linear regression.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

Data is all around us. It is simply a collection of observed characteristics of a group or sample. Statistics is what allows us to retrieve information from data. Without statistics, data would just be a bunch of numbers and words in a spreadsheet.

In this course, you will develop skills in drawing conclusions and critically evaluating results based on data. You will learn the basic concepts of statistics and probability, comprehend methods needed to analyze and critically evaluate statistical arguments, and recognize the importance of statistical ideas.

Emphasis will be placed on computer applications of the principles of probability and statistics to the problems of data collection, analysis, presentation, and interpretation in applied settings.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

At the conclusion of this course, you will be able to do all of the following with a dataset:

 

1.   Convey basic information about the data using descriptive statistics and present this information using meaningful graphical techniques;

2.   Draw inferences and make projections using basic statistical techniques;

3.   Understand the common pitfalls of data collection and sampling;

4.   Have the ability to think critically about numerical and graphical statistical arguments appearing in the mass media;

5.   Test hypotheses and quantify economic relationships among variables;

6.   Use Microsoft Excel to analyze data.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Statistics for Business & Economics, 13 Edition with MindTap.Anderson, Sweeney, Williams, Camm, CochranCengage Learning9781337747455 This ISBN is a loose-leaf bundle that provides an access code to MindTap. Mind Tap is an online assignment tool.   
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Online Mind Tap AssignmentsEach chapter will have an associated MindTap assignment set. In each chapter in your MindTap account, there will be both a practice and graded problem sets. ONLY THE GRADED PROBLEM SETS ARE REQUIRED. However, the practice problem sets are available for additional edification. The graded problem sets have specific due dates. The practice problem sets are available the entire term. These assignments are designed to encourage you to study the course material throughout the semester instead of waiting for an examination. You will find that by studying and practicing a little every day, you will not need to study as rigorously for exams and you will find class more enjoyable. THERE ARE NO MAKEUP ASSIGNMENTS FOR ANY REASON, BUT I WILL DROP YOUR LOWEST SCORE. 15%
Lab ParticipationDuring the semester we will meet in a computer lab or use personal computers. The purpose of these sessions is for you to learn how to use Microsoft Excel to perform statistical tasks on data. Much of the lab will be able to be completed during class time, however additional work outside of class may be necessary. It will be graded with respect to both completion and accuracy. The labs will begin with detailed instructions to get us used to commands in Excel. Later in the term the labs will become more open ended and you will have to use the formulas learned in class to answer “memo” type questions. 15%
Exam 1 17%
Exam 2 18%
Participation and Stats in LifeYou are expected to come to class and to be an active participant. If you do not feel comfortable speaking up in class, you are welcome to ask me questions before or after class, or in office hours. Average participation and attendance (missing no more than 1-2 classes and speaking a few times throughout the term) will get a grade of approximately 7/10. Note on attendance: Please get to class on time. It is particularly distracting when students walk in late since the door is in the front of the classroom. Please email me if you are going to miss class for an excused absence. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to get notes and any relevant handouts that were passed out on that day. If I distributed a handout on a day that you were absent, I will be happy to give you one if you ask. I am also happy to answer any questions that you have about a missed class after you have read the chapter and gotten notes from a classmate. Stats in Life: Each of you will be assigned one class throughout the term to find statistics used in a piece of popular press about a current event. After taking a brief break about halfway through class, the you will quickly present the current even you chose and mention the statistics used in it. Addressing how an understanding of statistics made the information more valuable and allowed you to consider it critically will be key components of the small presentation.5%
Review PresentationBefore the first exam and the final exam students will be responsible for review presentations. These presentations are designed to review the material learned in the previous section. Students will work in assigned groups to cover the assigned topics during one of these presentations. The review packet will include a review lecture with examples for the topics and at least 2 review questions with answer key.10%
Final Exam 20%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

You are expected to come to class and to be an active participant. If you do not feel comfortable speaking up in class, you are welcome to ask me questions before or after class, or in office hours. Average participation and attendance (missing no more than 1-2 classes and speaking a few times throughout the term) will get a grade of approximately 7/10.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE
Date Week Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
21-May 1 Syllabus and Ch.1-2 Ch. 3 Ch. 4 - Lab 1 Ch. 5/6
28-May 2 Ch. 6 + Q's Ch.7 and Q's Lab 2 Review Class
4-Jun 3 Exam 1 Ch.8 Ch. 8 Q's Ch. 9
11-Jun 4 Ch. 9 Lab 3 Ch. 10 Ch. 10 Q's Exam 2
18-Jun 5 Ch. 14 Ch. 14 Lab 4 Ch. 15 Review Class