Mathematics 363

Introduction to Statistical Methods

Fall 2015

Course Home Page

 

 

Course Syllabus 

Resource Webpage

 

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