Math 242    ·    STATISTICS    ·    Winter 2002

Time and Place: 11:00am -12:15pm TR Science 106
Instructor: Roger G. Olson, Ph.D.
Office: Science 018    Telephone: x6295    E-mail alias: rogero
Office Hours: 10:00 - 11:30am M, 1:30 - 4:30pm WR, or by appointment

TEXT AND SOFTWARE

Henry R. Gibson, Elementary Statistics, 2nd Edition, Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 1998

Reference Software: SPSS 10.0 for Windows - This is installed on the computers in C108 and S219. Microsoft Excel is also available on any computer having MS Office software and you may find it to be useful for some of the homework problems.
Here's a web page tutorial for SPSS.

COURSE OBJECTIVES AND DESCRIPTION

The first course in this sequence dealt with probability, or the mathematics of uncertainty. Probability theory applied to real data using a tool kit of special techniques yields the discipline of statistics, the subject of this course. Statistics has two main branches: the summarization and classification of data, known as descriptive statistics, and the analysis of data, specifically making "educated guesses" about an unknown population from a known sample. This second branch is called inferential statistics and is the main topic of this course. In addition, we will learn to apply the SPSS software package to statistical problems.

EVALUATION AND GRADING

Your course grade will be based on four criteria: Two hour examinations, homework assignments from each covered chapter, and a comprehensive final examination. There will also be occasional SPSS assignments included with the homework. Attendance will affect your final grade in borderline cases (+/- 2% of final grade). These criteria will be weighted in the following manner:

• The two hour exams are not intentionally cumulative, however, in any kind of mathematics you must keep in mind some previous facts and concepts before you can go on. One exam will be given before mid-term break. The exams will consist mostly of computational problems, with a few definitions. They will be CLOSED BOOK. However, I will provide the necessary formulas with the exam so you don’t have to memorize these.
  
  
• The final exam is cumulative and will be given Wednesday May 1 at 10am.
  
  
• Homework assignment due dates will be announced in class. LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE PENALIZED 10 PERCENT FOR EACH CLASS DAY LATE. Your assignments must be NEATLY DONE, and all work must be shown. Multiple pages must be STAPLED, and each page must have a smooth edge - pages torn out of spiral binders are NOT ACCEPTABLE.
  
  
• I will collect all homework, however only selected problems will be graded. The more problems that you work, the better you will learn the material.