Course Syllabus

Math 15, Elementary Statistics, Section 5112,

Spring 2024 Course Syllabus

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 Course Outline of Record can be found at this URL: https://portal.santarosa.edu/SRWeb/SR_CourseOutlines.aspx?Semester=20177&CVID=37479

A list of Student Learning Outcomes can be found at the end of the syllabi.

Class Meetings

The class will meet TTh 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM in Lindley 204.

Instructor Contact

Jennifer Carlin-Goldberg

Email: jcarlingoldberg@santarosa.edu or via Canvas message

Phone: (707) 527-4746

Office: Kunde 225 (Inside of Kunde 224)

Student Help Hours: Wednesday 10 AM - Noon and Thursday 11 AM - 1 PM, no appointment necessary. Please where a mask to Student Help Hours.

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 video lectures, class and assignment schedule, exam review sheets, supplemental assignment instructions, submitting those assignments, and viewing grades. 

Textbook

We will use Collaborative Statistics, 2nd ed., a free open resource textbook available for download here:  https://openstax.org/details/books/introductory-statistics 

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. TI download for Computer available here: https://education.ti.com/en/downloads/trial-software You can get it for a 90 day trial.

Important Dates

Important Dates

Event	Date
Day Class Begins:	Tuesday, January 16
Last Day to Add without instructor's approval:	Tuesday, January 23
Last Day to Add with instructor's approval:	Sunday, February 4
Last Day to Drop and for course fee refund:	Sunday, January 28
Last Day to Drop without a 'W' symbol:	Sunday, February 4
Last Day to Drop with a 'W' symbol:	Sunday, April 21
Last Day to Opt for Pass/No Pass:	Friday, May 24

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

I will take attendance in each class. Attendance and participation are not worth anything in your overall grade, but attendance is essential to your success in this class.

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!  You are encouraged to work on the solutions in study groups.  Then enter in your answers in the system when you are done.  You only get one submission per problem, then you get a new version of the problem.  

As you are working on the assignments, the system keeps a running total of your score which appears instantly in your gradebook. you will be able to continue to work on the assignments for credit until the due date and for practice after the due date. Access the assignments in Modules or in Assignments.

All assignments will be due Fridays at 11:59 PM, a little more than a full week after we cover the material in class. 

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

The non-book homework assignments (like the histogram assignment and labs) will generally have a 10% per day late penalty.

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 as well as our classroom.  Computer labs turned in late will be marked down 10\% per day they are late. Computer Labs will be submitted in Quiz form electronically on Canvas and most require an upload file.  The labs are 25 points each, I drop the lowest lab, so altogether they are worth the same as an exam.

You may do the Lab Assignments in groups or individually. If you do it in a group, only one person from the group needs to turn in your assignment. No more than four people per group.

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.

Class Meeting Participation and Activities

Every week you will have activities you must complete before the weekly class meeting. 

Assessment Quizzes

There will be 6 Assessment Quizzes, I call Big Giant Quizzes (BGQ), and a final exam. Some BGQs will involve a take-home portion and there will be a take home portion of the final. The final exam is comprehensive and in class.  The assessment quizzes and final are all scheduled and dates are posted. No make-up quizzes will be given.

The in-class BGQs will be done on paper in the classroom. You will need to bring your page of notes, calculator, and a writing tool, that is all.

The take home portion of a BGQs may be done anytime in a two and a half day window.  They will be timed and you will have up to one hour to complete them. Each take home component of a BGQ will require an upload file where you provide the work for your answers and where you will provide additional answers as asked for in some of the problems. We will discuss this more as we get close to the first online quiz.

I will drop the lowest BGQ score.

The final will also have an online portion that you can do within a five day window before our in class final.

BGQ Grading: Each problem or problem part is worth 5 points total, you receive 5 points for a perfect, complete solution and answer, 4 points for a complete solution with minor errors, 3.5 points for demonstrating an acceptable level of understanding of the material, topic, or skill, 3 points for not quite understanding the material, topic, or skill, 2 or 1 point for not completing the problem, demonstrating a fundamental lack of understanding of the material, topic, or skill, 0 points for not attempting the problem or the work you had for the problem didn't match up with the problem you were assigned.

BGQ Assessment and Redo

You are allowed and encouraged to complete an assessment and redo of each of your Big Giant Quizzes. This requires two things to be complete:

1. You give me a short write up, assessing your performance on the BGQ. (See the Assessment and Redo assignment for more details)
2. Redo all of the problems and parts of problems that you got less than 5 points (full credit) on.

If you complete the BGQ assessment and redo within a week of getting this Quiz back, you can earn up to 25% of the points you lost back. (for example, if you get a 30/50, that is 20 points lost, you can earn up to 5 points back bring that grade up to a C from a D.) You will turn this Assessment and Redo in to canvas. (see the Assessment and Redo assignment for more details) This is optional, but encouraged, and I do not accept late Assessment and Redo assignments. Note that the Assessment and Redo assignments appear in canvas as worth 0 points. The points you earn on the assignment will be added to the BGQ itself.

Grading Policy

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

Approximate grade breakdown: 20\% (Homework)+ 10% (Computer Labs) + 70% (6 BGQ and the Final exam) = 100%

Grades will be assigned as follows:

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

Tutoring

• FREE Tutoring: The brand new STEM Success Center is open for business! Come to Lindley 231 for drop in tutoring and access to computers. 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.
• 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 on time with the tools you need: class workbook, pencil, eraser, calculator, and paper.
• Students are to act respectfully and pay attention while in class. If you can have the video on, please do.  Please use your actual (preferred) name as your screen name as I use it for attendance. 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 during exams.  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.

Outcomes and Objectives:

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

1. Create and use graphic displays of data and frequency distributions.
2. Identify the standard methods of obtaining data and identify advantages and disadvantages of
3.     each method.
4. Distinguish among different scales of measurement and their implications.
5. Define mean, median, mode, percentiles, variability and standard deviation, and compute each for sets of data.
6. Use laws of probability.
7. Apply concepts of sample space, and probability distributions, including calculation of the mean and variance of a discrete distribution and calculation of probabilities using normal and t distributions.
8. Distinguish the difference between sample and population distributions and apply the Central Limit Theorem to calculate sampling distributions of means, proportions and standard error.
9. Compute and interpret confidence intervals and required sample size.
10. Identify the basic concept of hypothesis testing including Type I and II errors.
11. Select the appropriate technique for testing a hypothesis and interpret the result.
12. Perform hypothesis testing for mean, proportion and variance.
13. Determine and interpret levels of statistical significance including p-values.
14. Implement goodness of fit test, and the test for independence.
15. Use linear regression and Analysis of Variance, ANOVA, for estimation and inference, and interpret the associated statistics.
16. Use statistics software for evaluation of data and inference.
17. Process data sets from disciplines including business, social sciences, psychology, life sciences, health sciences and education.

List of Assignments: