Statistics - Dr. Marcus Pendergrass

About Me

My mathematical interests center around probability and related areas. I'm a big jazz fan, and play the piano in a couple of area groups. I also enjoy cooking, but my wife is a true master of the art, so usually I just wind up being her sous-chef.

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	Math 121: Statistics - Dr. Marcus Pendergrass
	Welcome to the homepage for my Statistics class. Here you will find the basic information, policies, and schedule for the course. In addition, I will be posting homework assignments, quiz and test announcements, and other important items here. So bookmark this page now, and check back here regularly!
	Course Description
	Statistics is the science of data: how valid data is produced, how to explore data to find trends, how to describe data quantitatively, and how to draw valid conclusions from data. All these topics will be introduced in this course. Probability theory provides important tools and concepts to statistics, and so we will also introduce some basic concepts from this area. The course will emphasize hands-on experience with data, and the real-life applications of statistical thinking.
	Prerequisites
	None. However, students should have a good background in basic mathematics.
	Class Meetings and Schedule
	MWF 10:30 - 11:20, R 2:30 - 3:20, Bagby 022
	Spring 2008 Final Exam
	To Be Determined
	Textbook
	The Basic Practice Of Statistics, 4th Edition, David S. Moore
	Required Technology
	A graphing calculator with a full complement of statistical functions is required. I highly recommend the TI-83 or TI-84 models from Texas Instruments. The TI-89 does NOT have the required statistical functions for this course. See this page for a comparison of the various TI graphing calculators.
	Determination of Course Grade
	50% - Two in-class exams (25% each) 25% - Weekly quizzes/homework 25% - Comprehensive Final Exam An approximate course schedule is here.
	Honor System
	The honor code applies to all work done in this class.
	Homework
	Homework will be assigned from each section of the text that we cover. Every two weeks, I will collect a selected number of homework problems and grade them. These hand-in problems that I select for grading will always be announced well ahead of time. Your work on these problems is expected to be exemplary, both in terms of your mathematics and in terms of the quality of your write-up. See my Requirements For Hand-In Homework for the rules you must follow for hand-in homework. Also, see my example homework document for an example of a well-written homework solution.
	Quizzes
	Approximately every two weeks a short quiz will be given. The quizzes will be interlaced between the hand-in homework problems. (Thus, each week will have either a quiz or a hand-in homework assignment.) These quizzes will be based on your practice homework assignments and our class discussions. I will give at least one class period notice for a quiz.
	Exams
	Two in-class exams will be given. Together, they will account for 50% of the total course grade. Tentative exam dates are: Exam 1: February 25 Exam 2: April 14
	Final Exam
	A comprehensive in-class final exam will be given, accounting for 25% of the total course grade. Final Exam Date: Friday, May 2, 9 am - 12 noon
	Attendance and Excused Absences
	You are expected to attend every class. Poor attendance severely jeopardizes your chances of passing the course. Make-up privileges are available only for excused absences and medical conditions, both of which require supporting documentation. See the Hampden-Sydney College Catalog for the College's policies on excused absences. You assume full responsibility for all material covered during your absence, including scheduling any make-up quizzes or exams. A grade of "0" will be assigned for all work missed due to unexcused absences.
	Make-up Policy
	Make-up work is given only for excused absences and valid medical conditions, both of which require supporting documentation. It is your responsibility to get in touch with me to approve and schedule any make-up work. This must be done promptly upon your return to class (i.e. don't wait until the end of the semester.)

About Me

Links

Handy Documents

Homework Assignments

Solutions to Graded Assignments

Lecture Slides

Textbook Website

Excel Resources

Other Links

Math 121: Statistics - Dr. Marcus Pendergrass

Course Description

Prerequisites

Class Meetings and Schedule

Spring 2008 Final Exam

Textbook

Required Technology

Determination of Course Grade

Honor System

Homework

Quizzes

Exams

Final Exam

Final Exam Date: Friday, May 2, 9 am - 12 noon

Attendance and Excused Absences

Make-up Policy

"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics."

Benjamin Disraeli