Mathematics 363
Introduction to
Statistical Methods
Fall 2015
Course Home Page
Overview.
In Introduction
to Statistical Methods, we shall be using your background in the natural or
social sciences, the humanities, or engineering and your previous knowledge of
algebra, calculus and differential equations to consider the
issues of collection, model derivation and analysis, interpretation,
explanation, and presentation of data.
The objective this course is to take advantage of the coherent body of
knowledge provided by statistical theory having an eye consistently on the
application of the subject. This approach will allow you to extend your ability
to use statistical methods beyond those given in the course.
The major prerequisites are comfort with
calculus and a strong interest in questions that can benefit from statistical
analysis. Willingness to engage in
explorations utilizing statistical software is an important additional
requirement. Even though many of our examples are derived from the life
sciences, the breadth of our examples will show that statistics is applicable to
a wide variety of academic disciplines, from the natural and social sciences to
the humanities.
Day-to-Day Operations.
The class meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from
9:30 AM to 10:45 AM in room 308 of Cesar
Chavez Building. The schedule of topics, the course textbook, and
assignments are given in the course syllabus.
This course is taught using a flipped format. Thus, you will be
typically listening to 5 to 6 short lectures, answering 2 to 3 check point exercises and submitting the night before class. The
class will begin with a discussion meant to assess your understanding of the
lectures and to discuss the assignment. Most of the class will be devoted to
using a worksheet having one or two statistics or probability problems. Much of
the work can be completed during class time. The worksheets are due in class before
the beginning of the subsequent class. Typically, you will work in pairs,
so you will need to bring a laptop to
class.
name |
email |
office hours |
location |
Joe Watkins |
jwatkins
at math.arizona.edu |
12:00 – 1:00 Tuesdays 1:00 – 2:00 Wednesdays 11:00 - 12:00 Thursdays |
220 Mathematics 522 Mathematics 522 Mathematics |
Feel free to stop by my office in the Mathematics Building
or in the Environmental and Natural Resources Building, call me at 621-5245 or
send an email.
Use of
Software.
We will do some software computation using R. R is a free software environment for
statistical computing and graphics. It compiles and runs on a wide variety of
UNIX platforms, Windows and MacOS. To download R,
please choose your preferred CRAN mirror. As with any computer software, the
syntax in R will seem awkward at first. Many of you will also want to download Rstudio, which is
also free.
Copies of Introductory
Statistics with R by Peter Dalgaard are available at the bookstore. Other options
for software assistance can be found on the resource webpage.
Evaluation
of Students.
á
The checkpoints
are short exercises described in the videos and are meant to solidify your
understanding of a concept. These are due
in the D2L dropbox midnight the evening before class.
Check point exercises are graded
based on honest effort.
á
The worksheets
are generally 1 or 2 problems with several parts that are designed to deepen
and integrate your knowledge. We will start on the worksheet problems in class.
You will often need to complete the worksheet after class. These are due at the beginning of the following class.
Students are encouraged to work together, but everyone is expected to turn in
their own assignment either to the dropbox or in
class. Worksheets will be marked
according to the following guidelines. Permission to turn in late homework for
credit must be arranged in advance.
á
Students will also design and complete a project that analyzes
data using statistical software.
á
We shall have 2 in-class midterm exams and a
comprehensive final
exam. Our final is scheduled for
á
Tuesday,
December 15th, 2015 from 8:00 am to 10:00 am.
Students
who are unable to attend an exam should notify their instructor as soon as
possible.
Arrangements for a make-up test will be considered on a case by case basis. Make-up exams will be administered only
at the discretion of the instructor at a mutually arranged time. Failure to contact the instructor will
result in a grade of zero on the exam.
We will keep the top 22 check point
scores and 20 worksheet scores. In addition, we will have ~5 optional sections
on more advanced topics (indicated in red).
Check point exercises for these sections will be counted as extra credit.
The grading scheme is
number |
points |
total |
|
check points worksheets |
22 20 |
5 10 |
110 200 |
midterm exams |
2 |
100 |
200 |
project |
1 |
65 |
65 |
final exam |
1 |
175 |
175 |
total |
750 |
Grades will be given on the usual scale A is 90%-100%, B is
80%-89%, C is 70%-79%, D is 60%-69%, and E is below 60%. The instructors may move these cutoff values down. Any
grading disputes must be addressed within one week after an exam or homework
has been returned. If you fail to complete the course due to circumstances
unforeseen, then you may qualify for a grade of I, ÒincompleteÓ
in accordance with University Policy.
Honors Contracts.
This course is
available for honors contract.
Students who elect sign an honors contract will be given a project to complete
in lieu of some of the written homework assignments, and the project grade will
replace the corresponding homework grades.
To negotiate the details of an honors contract for this course, please
contact the instructor within the first week of classes.
Students should take the time to become familiar with policies and codes
of the University, notably the academic
integrity policy and student
code of conduct. Student with special needs should contact SALT - Strategic Alternative Learning
Techniques Center or the Disability
Resources Center.
Best wishes to you for a good semester in this course and in
all your other activities.
- Joe Watkins