Course Syllabus

Math 15, Elementary Statistics
Section 5167, Spring 2020 Course Syllabus

This syllabus is also available as a pdf document: Syllabus15Spring2020.pdf

Course Description

Exploration of concepts in statistics, descriptive statistics, probability theory, Central Limit Theorem, estimation of population parameters from a sample, hypothesis testing, correlation and linear regression, introduction to analysis of variance, and computer simulations.

Student Learning Outcomes

The Student Learning Outcomes can be found at this URL: https://portal.santarosa.edu/SRWeb/SR_CourseOutlines.aspx?Semester=20177&CVID=37479

Class Meetings

The class will meet MTWTh, 9:00 - 10:00 AM in Kunde 201.

Instructor Contact

Jennifer Carlin-Goldberg

Email: jcarlingoldberg@santarosa.edu 

Phone: (707) 527-4746

Office Hours: M 1:00 - 2:00 PM, TTh 10:00 - 11:00 AM, W 1:00 - 3:00 PM, In Kunde 229

On normal work days, I respond to emails within 24 hours, weekends may take longer.

Course Online Content

Students will use the Canvas course web site for the online homework, access to the reading, the lecture examples, class and assignment schedule, exam review sheets, supplemental assignment instructions, submitting those assignments, and viewing grades.

Textbook

We will use Collaborative Statistics, a free open resource textbook available for download here: https://cnx.org/contents/XgdE-Z55@40.9:LnCgyaMt@17/Preface

You can purchase a hard copy of the textbook from the bookstore if you really need one. 

The textbook is also available at the Reserve Desk in the library: QA276.12 O64 2013

Calculator Requirement

You will need a TI calculator that does statistics (TI 83 Plus, 84).  You will be using this calculator to assist you on your homework, quizzes and exams.  You may not use a calculator that does symbolic logic on quizzes and exams (TI - 89).  If you do not have a TI - 83 Plus or TI - 84, your calculator will need to be approved by me.

Important Dates

Day Class Begins:	Monday, January 13
Day/Time of Final Exam:	Wednesday, May 20, 2020 7:00 AM - 9:45 AM
Last Day to Add without instructor's approval:	Sunday, January 19
Last Day to Add with instructor's approval:	Sunday, February 2
Last Day to Drop and for course fee refund:	Sunday, January 26
Last Day to Drop without a 'W' symbol:	Sunday, February 2
Last Day to Drop with a 'W' symbol:	Sunday, April 19
Last Day to Opt for Pass/No Pass:	Sunday, February 23

Dropping the Class

If you decide to discontinue this course, it is your responsibility to officially drop it. A student may be dropped from any class when that student's absences exceed ten percent (10%) of the total hours of class time. It is strongly advised that if you need to miss more than one class/homework deadline in a row that you contact the instructor to avoid being dropped from the class.

Attendance

For face-to-face courses, students who fail to attend the first class meeting may be dropped by the instructor.

Instructors are required to drop all No-Show students immediately following the second class meeting. A No-Show is an enrolled student who has not attended any class meeting of the course or not completed any of the assignments in the first two weeks.  If you fail to attend class several weeks in a row without contacting me about your absence, instructors can drop you from the course then as well.

Instructor Announcements

The instructor will post announcements on the Announcements page in Canvas throughout the semester. Canvas notifies students according to their preferred Notification Preferences. (You don't want to miss any important communications from your instructor!)

Set your Notification Preferences

Using Canvas on your mobile device - On mobile devices, Canvas is designed to be used within Canvas mobile applications. Be aware that not all features are fully supported in the app. (It's recommended you do "sophisticated" tasks like taking quizzes and submitting assignments using a regular web browser.)

Homework Assignments

The homework is assigned, and submitted in Canvas.  There will be NO extensions granted for any reason.  I expect that you get to work on your assignments early and consistently, therefore, last minute disasters will not be grounds for assignment extensions!  When the assignment is posted, download the assignment and you are allowed and encouraged to print out the assignment and work on the solutions away by hand and in study groups.  Then enter in your answers in the system when you are done.  You only get three submissions per problem, then you get a new version of the problem.  If you get an unaccepted answer on the first and second try, go seek help with the problem!    All regular homework assignments will be due Fridays at 11:59 PM.  Friday due dates are a buffer only.  You are expected to have the assignments mostly completed by Thursday's class. This is to prepare you for the weekly quizzes.

If you are having trouble with homework access and display, you need to run a browser check.  Go to the following link and follow the directions: https://www.myopenmath.com/checkbrowser.php

Weekly Quizzes

Closed book quizzes will be given every week starting the second week of classes. The quizzes will be based on homework assignments: one or more homework problems will be selected and included in a quiz. Quizzes will be given at the beginning of class sessions. The lowest two quiz scores will be dropped.  I do not give make up quizzes for any reason.  That's what the dropped quizzes are for!

Computer Labs

The use of computers to analyze and interpret data is an essential part of learning statistics.  To this end, we will be using the Excel software package.  The labs are designed to help you learn how to use Excel and how it can be used as a valuable tool in the course, and in statistics in general, for solving problems.  On all work that you turn in, complete sentences and correct grammar must be used.  Your submissions must also be typewritten.  It is also important to note that no prior computer experience is necessary.  Computers with Excel are available in the computer labs on campus.  Computer labs turned in late, after 3:00 PM on the due date, will be marked down 10\% each day they are late. Computer Labs will be submitted in Quiz form electronically, on Canvas, some files will be submitted as well in either a Word or PDF format.  Google Docs, while adequate for much of what we will be doing, is missing several key features like formula writing flexibility and spreadsheet data analysis so using it for several of the labs will not be possible.  You may also work in groups of two to four students on the labs 1 through 4, though you will each submit your own answers. Lab 0 will be done individually and is worth 10 points, the remaining four labs are 25 points each.

Exams

There will be 3 midterms and a final exam. The final exam is comprehensive.  The exams are all scheduled and dates are posted.

No make-up tests will be given.  If you have a 69\% (passing) or better on the final, I will drop your lowest exam score and replace it with the Final percentage if such an action will help your grade.

Grading Policy

Click the “Grades” link in Canvas to keep track of your grades.

Approximate grade breakdown: 14\% (Homework, 100 points) + 15.5% (5 Labs, 110 points ) + 42.3% (3 Midterms, 300 points ) + 28.2%(Final exam, 200 points) = 100%

Grades will be assigned as follows:

A	100 - 90%
B	80 - 89%
C	69 - 79%
D	60 - 68%

Tutoring

• FREE Tutoring: The Computer and Mathematics Lab in Kunde Hall. Santa Rosa Campus's Tutorial Center (first floor of library) and Petaluma Campus's Tutorial Center located in Kathleen Doyle Hall, 2nd Floor, Rm 247. For any student who has declared a Calculus based science major, you can join MESA, located in Bertolini, room 4832.  http://mesa.santarosa.edu/  They have tutoring services and so much more!
• Study Groups: Not only can you help one another by working together, but it can be a lot of fun to discuss mathematics. Since I do not grade on a curve, there is no reason to compete with one another. Let me know if you need assistance setting up a study group, I would be happy to help.
• NetTutor: You all have 10 free hours of tutoring online per semester through the NetTutor link found in your Canvas Course menu.
• Private Tutors: The Math Department has a list of private tutors. This list can be found on the Math Department web site at http://mathematics.santarosa.edu/tutorial-resources

Standards of Conduct

Students who register in SRJC classes are required to abide by the SRJC Student Conduct Standards. Violation of the Standards is basis for referral to the Vice President of Student Services or dismissal from class or from the College. See the Student Code of Conduct page.

Collaborating on or copying of tests or homework in whole or in part will be considered an act of academic dishonesty and result in a grade of 0 for that test or assignment. Students are encouraged to share information and ideas, but not their work. See these links on Plagiarism:

SRJC Writing Center Lessons on avoiding plagiarism
SRJC's statement on Academic Integrity

Special Needs

Every effort is made to conform to accessibility standards for all instructor-created materials. Students should contact their instructor as soon as possible if they find that they cannot access any course materials. Students with disabilities who believe they need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact Disability Resources (527-4278).

Classroom Etiquette and Expectations

• I expect you to come to class with the tools you need: class workbook, pencil, eraser, calculator, and paper.
• Students are to act respectfully and pay attention while in class. The best way to learn is through participation, listening actively, and by being polite even when we disagree with another student's viewpoint.
• Cell phones, iPods, etc. are to be turned off. Please note that a cell phone/smart phone is NOT a calculator, you will not be able to use them at any time in class.  During Exams, if your cell phone goes off, you are disrupting your classmates' concentration and I will take away your exam and ask you to leave.  You will not be allowed to finish your exam later.
• Students are expected to arrive on time, stay the entire class period, and not put course materials away before I have concluded the lecture.
• Sharpen your pencils and use the restroom before class starts. Do not eat or drink distracting foods (such as crunchy chips) or put your head down on the desk and sleep during class.
• Since other students may find side conversations distracting, direct your questions to me, not to your neighbor.
• If you use a laptop or tablet computer for note taking, please sit in the front row with the sound off.  You cannot do your homework, chat online, Facebook, Tweet, etc. during class.
• We will conduct ourselves in a manner that reflects our awareness of common standards of decency and the rights of others. All students are expected to know the Student Conduct Code, link found on the class's website for your reference, and adhere to it in this class. Students who violate the code more than once will be asked to leave the classroom and must schedule a meeting with me to explain to me why you should be allowed to return to class.  Repeated offenses and we will refer to the Vice President of Student Services for discipline.
  If you have any questions, please feel free to discuss them in class or during my office hours. I'll be glad to provide any help you need.

List of Assignments: