Math 243: Introduction to Methods of Probability and Statistics

Homework Lecture Notes Calculator Handouts Minitab Instruction
Review for Midterm #1 and Answers to Sample Midterm #1 Answers to Midterm #1 Review for Midterm #2 and Answers to Sample Midterm #2 Answers to Midterm #2
Review for Final Exam Answers to sample final exam Answers to Final Exam Course Grade
DISCUSSION SECTIONS
The emphasis of the course is on statistical reasoning: interpretation of and critical thinking about statistical information. The main concepts will be illustrated by a variety of interesting and important real world examples. These will include issues under current discussion in society that have a statistical component, in particular clinical trials, political polling, and various studies in the social sciences.

Grading Policy

Your course grade is a weighted average of the following performance scores: homework (10%), quizzes (15%), exam 1 (20%), exam 2 (25%) and final exam (30%).

Exams

There will be two midterms during the term. They are scheduled for Friday, October 27, and for Friday, November 17 . The final is scheduled for 10:15 - 12:15 on Tuesday, December 5. All the exams will be in 110 Fenton. For each exam, you may bring one "formula sheet," i.e., one 8.5 by 11 sheet of paper with whatever formulas and notes you would find useful.

Quizzes

There will be six or seven quizzes in discussion section. There will be no make-up quizzes. Your lowest quiz grade will be dropped.

Homework

Homework is due DAILY at the lectures. No homework will be accepted late. You may drop FOUR homeworks. If a situation develops in which you need more than four homeworks dropped, such as a prolonged illness, you should notify me as soon as possible verbally and in writing. You may turn in homework early, of course, if you know in advance that you will have to miss class.

Please do homework on 8.5 by 11 paper, folded once the long way. Put your name (last name first, please) on the front.

Please pick up your homework in the paper return box outside Room 110 Fenton.

Attendance:

Attendance is mandatory. You are responsible for all the announcements, changes, course information, and topics that I cover in class.
  • If you cannot make my office hours, please feel free to stop by my office anytime.

    Calculators

    At the minimum, you should have a calculator capable of handling two-variable statistics. The TI-82 will draw histograms and regression lines for you and will be more than sufficient. The TI-83 is like having a small computer program at your desk and will perform all the statistical tests that we will learn in this course. It is your responsibility to learn how to use any calculator you choose for this course. Calculators are allowed on all quizzes and exams. Texas Instruments' manuals on the Web: TI-82 , TI-83 .

    Videos

    There's an excellent set of videos, Against All Odds, available at Media Services in the Library. The 26 half-hour programs of this public television series present some fascinating real-world applications of statistics while at the same time focusing on the essential features of statistics. Suggested videos are indicated with the assignments. They have to be watched at the Media center, and you will need an ID to check them out. The Media center is open 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Fridays.
    Tips: There's only one copy of each video, but groups of students can watch a video at once. Two students can watch a single monitor. Between 3 and 8 can watch in a small room. Larger rooms are available for larger groups, but arrangements must be made in advance and would probably need my intervention. As noted below, there are two videos on each cassette. If you want to view the second video, Fast Forward for 45-50 seconds before pressing Play. Be considerate of the next viewers: Rewind the cassette. When you check out the video, if you sign a waiver other students can join you.

    1-2 What is statistics?/Picturing distribution
    3-4 Describing distributions/Normal distributions
    5-6 Normal calculations/Time series
    7-8 Models for growth/Describing relationships
    9-10 Correlation/Multidimensional data analysis
    11-12 Question of causation/Experimental design
    13-14 Blocking and sampling/Samples and surveys
    15-16 What is probability?/Random variables
    17-18 Binomial distributions/Sample means
    19-20 Confidence intervals/Significance tests
    21-22 Inference for one mean/Comparing two means
    23-24 Inference for proportions/Inference for two proportions
    25-26 Inference for relationships/Case study

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