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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "MA 208-1"
COURSE NAME: "Statistics I"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2014
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Stefano Arnone
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
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: TTH 15:00 to 16:30 and 19:15 to 19:45 by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is intended to introduce students to descriptive and inferential statistics and elementary probability theory. The main topics covered are: collection of data, descriptive statistics of location and dispersion, probability theory using both discrete and continuous probability distributions, hypothesis testing covering tests of the mean, proportion, and variance as well as differences between these parameters, Chi-squared goodness of fit tests, and an introduction to simple linear regression.

Students are expected to attend class on a regular basis and follow all University regulations.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
After a brief introduction to the subject, both graphical and numerical techniques for representing data sets will be analysed; probability theory will be then discussed using both discrete and continuous probability distributions. We wil then move to analysing sampling distributions, point estimators and confidence intervals.
We will also discuss hypothesis tests covering tests of the mean, proportion, and variance as well as differences between these parameters, Chi-squared goodness of fit tests, and an introduction to simple linear regression.

 
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:
- Use statistical core terminology accurately.
- Organise data using both numerical and graphical methods.
- Use measures of central tendency and variability to summarise a data set.
- Calculate probabilities of events explained by the normal and the standard normal distribution using the appropriate tables.
- Estimate population parameters using confidence intervals.
- Carry out tests of hypothesis about population parameters.

 
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Statistics for Business and Economics (11th international edition)Anderson, Sweeney, WilliamsCENGAGE Learning978-0-538-47188-6 Older editions of the same textbook are accepted. From one edition to the next, the changes are minimal, just a little difference in formatting and some of the exercises. Students are expected to solve the exercises in the 11th international edition.   
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
HomeworkHomework assignments will be graded: the average grade weighs 10 percent of the final grade.10/100
AttendanceFull credit for attendance will be given to students with three or fewer unexcused absences. Four or more absences will result in a proportional reduction of the grade.10/100
First intermediate exam 20/100
Second intermediate exam 20/100
Fianl exam (comprehensive) 40/100

-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 cou
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:
Full credit for attendance will be given to students with three or fewer unexcused absences. Four or more absences will result in a proportional reduction of the grade. Coming late to class or leaving early will be possible only with permission of the instructor.
Missed exams may not be made up.
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
SessionSession FocusReading AssignmentOther AssignmentMeeting Place/Exam Dates
Week 1 and week 2Chapter 1: Data and Statistics. Chapter 2: Descriptive statistics: tabular and graphical presentation. Chapter 3: Descriptive statistics: numerical measures. Chapter 2: 2,3,9,11,14,15,21,25,26. Chapter 3: 7,11,13,14,15,19,27,28,31,45,50,51. 
Week 3, week 4, and week 5Chapter 4: Introduction to Probability (sections 4.1 to 4.4)  Chapter 4: 14,16,31,39,40.  
Week 6 to week 7Chapter 5: Discrete probability distributions: (sections 5.1 to 5.4).  Chapter 5: 6,7,11,13,15,27,33,35,65. Week 7: first intermediate exam (chapters 1 to 5)
Week 8 to week 10Chapter 6: Continuous probability distributions (sections 6.1 to 6.3) Chapter 7: Sampling and Sampling Distributions (sections 7.1 to 7.7).  Chapter 6: 1,2,5,11,12,13,14,27,32,33. Chapter 7: 15,25,29. Week 10: second intermediate exam (chapters 5 to 7)
Week 11 and week 12Chapter 8: Interval Estimation. Chapter 9: Hypothesis Tests (sections 9.1 to 9.5)  Chapter 8: 3,9,19,21,36,41,51,55. Chapter 9: 9,11,12,13,14,17,19,25,31,39,41,66,69.  
Week 13 and week 14Chapter 10: Statistical inference about means and proportions with two populations. Chapter 12: Tests of goodness of fit and independence (sections 12.1 and 12.2). Chapter 14: Simple Linear Regression (sections 14.1 to 14.4)  Chapter 10: 3,7,11,15,19,25,31,35. Chapter 12: 2,5,7,8,15,17,31. Chapter 14: 3,15,17,21.Final Exam COMPREHENSIVE. See University Schedule for date and time.