Probability and Statistics

Differentiate between Descriptive and inferential statistics. Identify the four basic sampling techniques. Understand how statistics can be abused. Organize data using frequency distributions, histograms, and stem and leaf plots.

Summarize data using mean, median and mode for measures of central tendency and range, variance and standard deviation for measures of variation. Finding and  understanding percentiles and quartiles. Summarize data using box plots and five- number summaries. Finding z-scores.

Finding the probability of an event using classical and empirical probability.  Using the addition and multiplication rules of probability and finding conditional  probabilities. Understanding the difference between dependent and independent events.

Find the mean, standard deviation and expected value of a discrete probability distribution. Find probabilities for a binomial experiment and the mean and standard deviation of a binomial distribution.

Identify the properties of a normal distribution. Finding probabilities using z- scores and the standard normal distribution.

Use the central limit theorem to solve problems involving sample means.

Form confidence intervals for the mean and for a proportion. Find the sample size  needed to form a confidence interval.

Explain what type I and II errors are in a hypothesis test. Perform hypothesis tests for a mean and a proportion.

Perform hypothesis tests for the difference of two means.

Perform hypothesis tests for the difference of two Proportions and the paired difference experiment.

Draw scatter plots, compute correlation coefficients and find the least squares line of regression.

Prerequisites : MATH 1233 or 1534

The course meets in a computer lab, and each student will be expected to learn to use a software package called MiniTab to perform statistical computations.  This software is available in Bolin 109 and a limited number of computers in the Clark Student Center.  Student editions of the software can be purchased for home use.

TI graphing calculators, such as the TI-83 or Ti-84 come with statistical software that can also be used for doing homework in this course.  Students will have the option of using calculators on the tests, if desired.  The textbook contains some instructions for using Ti calculators.

The text also contains instructions for use of the Excel spreadsheet programs to do some of the statistical functions, although the instructor probably will not refer to that except in passing.

Grading:    The final grade for the course will be determined by a combination of exams, homework, and in-class exercises.  Any out-of-class assignment will be due at the beginning of the period specified by the instructor.  Late papers will not be accepted for credit.

The weight of each portion will be as follows:

         Instrument                        Weight   |      Grade Scale

         ----------                                     ------   |      -----------

         Hour Tests (3)                     63%      |    90 - 100%     A

         Homework/Exercises        12%      |    80 -  89%     B

         Final Exam                            25%     |    70 -  79%     C

                                                                       |    60 -  69%     D

Homework assignments should be done on 8 1/2 by 11 paper.  The problems should be done neatly and in order, and if the assignment involves more than one page, the pages should be stapled together.  Assignments should be done in pencil with all mistakes neatly and cleanly erased.  It is recommended that the student solve the problems on scratch paper, and then copy the solution (not just the final answer) onto the homework sheets

The teacher may give homework handouts, in which case the final answer should be placed in the underlined blank, if provided, and the work should be done neatly in the space between problems.  Again, any misprints should be neatly and cleanly erased.

Tests will be given in-class and will done on paper provided by the instructor.  Some of the results will be computed using MiniTab or a graphing calculator.  The results should be copied by hand from the computer or calculator to the underlined answer blank, carefully observing any instructions about rounding.  Due to the limited print facilities, students should not try to print the results of the program.

In-class quizzes may also be given.  No make-ups will be given for quizzes, and tests will only be able to be made up for unavoidable reasons.  If a student knows that he/she has a legitimate conflict with a scheduled test, that student should contact the instructor well in advance of the test to make arrangements for making up the assignment.  If a student misses a test for an unavoidable reason, that student must contact the instructor no later than the first day that student returns to class (and preferably before that, if possible)..  The student may use either e-mail or leave a voice message on the instructor's phone listed in the syllabus.

All tests and homework should be completed according to the schedule provided in the syllabus.  No make-ups will be given for in-class quizzes or exercises (if any).  If the instructor assigns problems to be worked outside class and handed in in class, then the problems are due at the beginning of the designated period (and each student should be prepared to hand the assignment in before taking his/her seat as the student enters the classroom.

Students are expected to attend every session of the class.  Recognizing that there are extenuating circumstances where students must miss an occasional class, the instructor will follow the Midwestern State University attendance policy as stated on page 78 of the Midwestern State University Undergraduate Catalog, Volume LXXVIII, Number 1, 2010-2012.  In particular, the instructor will keep track of attendance and if a student accumulates four or more un-excused absences and is not taking the course seriously as evidenced by homework and tests, then the instructor reserves the right to use the policy to drop the student from the class

An absence is defined as not being present for the entire period.  Students who come in late or leave early may be counted absent for that class, unless they have made arrangements with the instructor in advance.

Use of cell phones for communication during class is forbidden.  Students may not use cell phones, computers,  or PDA's to communicate with other individuals inside or outside of the classroom.  Any student found using a cell phone, PDA, or computer other than the one supplied in the classroom during a test will be considered to be cheating, and will be subject to receiving a zero on the assignment.  Students may use cell phones or cameras to copy material on the board, but communication during class is not permitted. 

Students may use the computers to take notes during class, but again, communication with other people, surfing the web, or working on assignments for other classes is not permitted during this class.  At the teacher's sole discretion, a cell phone, PDA or personal computer may be confiscated for the remainder of the class period.

Entering the class late or leaving the class early is a disturbance to the other students and to the teacher.  Each student is expected to treat the other students and the teacher with respect.  Any student who is being disruptive to the class may be asked to leave the classroom and will be counted absent for that day.

Cheating:  Each student is expected to do his or her own work on all graded assignments. ANY EVIDENCE OF CHEATING OR UNAUTHORIZED group effort WILL RESULT IN DISCIPLINARY ACTION which may range from a zero on the assignment to an F in the course.  On homework assignments students may discuss the problems outside of class, but each student is expected to work out and understand the solutions to the problems.  For some of the exercises done in class the teacher will let students work together, but not on tests.

Note:   Any student experiencing difficulty with this course has an obligation to himself and the rest of the class to seek help in mastering the material.  The first step is to talk to the instructor.  Putting it off will only make it worse.  It has been the experience of the teacher that students who study together in groups outside class generally do better.  Therefore the teacher encourages students to form study groups.  It is permissible to work on homework problems outside class in study groups.  However, simply to copy the answers derived by another student is not only self-defeating, but cheating.  The Mathematics Department provides help sessions in Bolin 101 from 2:00 to 5:00 Monday through Thursday and 1:00 to 4:00 on Friday, starting the second week of classes and ending the last week of classes. This provides a good place to study and/or seek help.  However, the department does not provide computers in the help lab, so if the problem involves using MiniTab, the student will need to supply a copy on her/his own computer.

Course Outline:   The following is a tentative outline of the material to be covered in this course, and the pace at which it should be covered.  Due to the fast pace, it is recommended that each student read the sections listed for each day prior to coming to class.