Stat 300 - Introduction to Statistics

Summer 2009

Mr. Pietromoonaco 

DISCLAIMER:       

All information in the syllabus is subject to change if the instructor finds it necessary. Any changes will be announced during a class session. Absent students are responsible for any announced changes to the syllabus.

 

Course Meetings:      MW 5:30 pm – 9:45 pm

 

Text:                           Essentials of Statistics, 3rd Edition, by Triola

 

Instructor:                  Dean Pietromonaco               Phone: 608-6990

                                    FL1 - 133                                Email:  pietrod@flc.losrios.edu

 

 

Web Site:                    www.flc.losrios.edu/~pietrod

                                    Then click on the proper Stat 300 link

                                                                       

Office Hours: By Appointment

 

Calculators:

A scientific calculator is required for this course.  

 

Prerequisite: 

Minimum “C” in Math 120 or successful completion of the placement test. An ARC or Sierra self Placement is not acceptable. I will check for proof that you meet the prerequisite. If you cannot produce the required proof by second class session, you will be dropped from the class.

 

The Course:

This course introduces the organization of data, descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The application of these topics to real world problems will help develop critical thinking skills and problem solving skill. Applications to several different disciplines will be demonstrated. The course will include grouping and graphing data, measures of central tendency, interpretation of the standard deviation, z-scores, descriptive measures of populations, normal distributions, confidence intervals, hypotheses testing, and regression. A more specific breakdown of topics can be found in the College Handbook. It is recommended that you see a counselor as part of your college planning. Statistics credit can be applied for an Associate of Arts degree and is recommended for transfer to CSU or UC schools.

 

Grading:

 

Grading

Letter grades will be calculated based on the percentage of the total points:

A: 90%-100% B: 80%-90% C: 70%-79% D: 60%-69% F: below 60%

The following is an approximate list of the points available during the semester.

Class/Homework ........................5-20 points each section.

Quizzes ........................................10-20 points each*

Tests ............................................100-150 points each

Project/Labs..................................20-200 points each

Final exam ....................................100-200 points

 

Attendance:

Attendance is vital to your success in this class. If you miss a class period see a classmate, tutor or myself for help as soon as possible to get caught up. Absence will not excuse due dates for assignments. Absence will not be an excuse for missed assignments or handouts. If you miss a handout you must get a copy from a fellow student. Absence will also not be an excuse for missed announcements. You must be in class to hear changes in assignments and testing dates and other announcements regarding the class. Failure to attend class may result in your being dropped from the class. Excessive absence is defined in the student policies for the college district as more than 10% of the total course hours or meetings.

 

Homework:

A list of the homework due for each chapter in the course will be handed out in class by the instructor. Homework for each chapter is due on the test date for that chapter before the test is handed out otherwise it is late. Homework handed in after the test has started but before the start of the next class meeting will be accepted for half credit. No homework will be accepted beyond that time. All homework is to be done by the enrolled student and must be your own work. All homework is to be handwritten. Your name, the section number and problems required are to written at the top of the paper for each section. All work needed to complete the problem should be shown and the answer circled. If you do not show all the work required to complete the homework problems I will reduce your homework grade. A list of answers will not be accepted for any credit. If there is any question about how much work is required for a problem ask me in advance or error on the side of showing all the steps. Put all the sections in order and staple, paper clip or rubber band the papers before handing them into me. I am not responsible for lost pages.

 

Tests: Exams will be given approximately every chapter and will be announced in class. If you miss an exam for any reason, you will receive a score of zero.  You will have one opportunity to either make up an exam that you have missed or attempt to better your score.  The makeup exam will be held during the last  regular class session. Note: You may only make up an exam if you have scored above 70 on all other exams.  You must sign up for the exam you wish to make up in advance.   Your score on the makeup exam will replace your original score on the exam.  If you score lower on the make up you will be given half of the lower score. If you missed the exam for some compelling reason, such as an illness, the maximum score can be waived if proper documentation is provided.

 

You are expected to keep your eyes on your own paper during the test. Any student found looking at another student’s test or who has been caught cheating on an exam will have their exam collected and receive a score of zero for that exam as well as lose their makeup privilege for the entire course. You are expected to refrain from talking during the entire time the test is being given.  If you talk during the exam, your exam will be immediately collected and any questions you were unable to finish at that point will be marked wrong.  Once you are finished with an exam, to preserve a good testing environment for the other students in the class, you are expected to leave the classroom.   

 

Tests will be graded and returned within 2 - 3 class periods. I almost always get them returned by the next class meeting. I will review the test with the class on the day that the exam is returned.  I do collect all tests after reviewing them.  Any attempt to keep a copy will be considered a theft of college documents. I will keep the exams for your review until the end of the semester.

 

 Electronic Devices: Special Note: If your cell-phone rings during a test then you must turn in your test at that time. If your cell phone rings on two separate occasions then you lose your make up privileges. If you answer the phone or you are text messaging on your phone, your highest test during the semester will be recorded as a zero. additionally all rules of the school both behaviorally and academically will be enforced. In attentiveness will be considered a disruption.

 

Resources: The best resources for any student are your classmates. They can help you study, review for tests and share notes if you are absent. Get to know the names and phone numbers of several fellow students.  There is also free tutoring available in the Reading Writing and Math Center located in FL2 – 239.

 

Learning Disabilities Program:

Call (916) 608-6611 FLC or (530) 642 - 5630 EDC for information. Please be sure to follow all timelines regarding these services. The instructor and the DSPS office both need to be contacted 1 week in advance of a proctored test to schedule a proctored test.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: