Math 121 will cover most of chapters 1-8 in OpenIntro Stats, on representing and summarizing data, sampling, probability, statistical inference, and linear regression.
| Date | Section | Topic | Projects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/17 | 1.2 | Data basics | |
| 1/19 | 1.2 | Explanatory and response variables | |
| 1/21 | 1.3 | Sampling principles and strategies | |
| 1/24 | 1.4 | Experiments | |
| 1/26 | 2.1 | Examining numerical data | |
| 1/28 | 2.1 | Box plots, quartiles, and the median | |
| 1/31 | 2.1 | Variance and standard deviation | |
| 2/02 | 2.2 | Considering categorical data | |
| 2/04 | 2.2 | Contingency tables | |
| 2/07 | 3.1 | Defining probability | |
| 2/09 | 3.1 | Multiplication and addition rules | |
| 2/11 | Midterm 1 | ||
| 2/14 | 3.2 | Conditional probability | |
| 2/16 | 3.2 | Tree diagrams and Bayes’ rule | |
| 2/18 | 3.4 | Weighted averages & expected value | |
| 2/21 | 3.4 | Random variables | |
| 2/23 | 4.1 | Normal distribution | |
| 2/25 | 4.1 | 68-95-99.7 rule | |
| 2/28 | 5.1 | Sampling distributions | |
| 3/02 | 4.3 | Binomial distribution | |
| 3/04 | 5.1 | Central limit theorem | |
| 3/14 | 5.2 | Confidence intervals for a proportion | |
| 3/16 | Midterm 2 | ||
| 3/18 | 5.3 | Hypothesis testing for a proportion | |
| 3/21 | 5.3 | Decision errors | |
| 3/23 | 6.1 | Inference for a single proportion | |
| 3/25 | 6.2 | Difference of two proportions | |
| 3/28 | 6.2 | Difference of two proportions - con’d | |
| 3/30 | 7.1 | Introducing the t-distribution | |
| 4/01 | 7.1 | One sample t-tests | |
| 4/04 | 7.3 | Difference of two means | |
| 4/06 | 7.3 | Difference of two means - con’d | Project 1 |
| 4/08 | 7.2 | Paired data | |
| 4/11 | Choosing the right inference method | ||
| 4/13 | 8.1 | Fitting a line, residuals, and correlation | Project 2 |
| 4/15 | 8.2 | Least squares regression | |
| 4/18 | 8.2 | Least squares regression - con’d | |
| 4/20 | Midterm 3 | Project 3 | |
| 4/22 | 6.3 | The chi-square test statistic | |
| 4/25 | 6.3 | Testing for goodness of fit using chi-square | |
| 4/27 | 6.4 | Testing for independence in two-way tables | |
| 4/29 | Review |
In order to master a subject like statistics, regular attendance is crucial. However, if you have a fever or are not feeling well, then please do not come to class that day. As long as you let me know the reason for your absence, I will do my best to help you stay caught up and make up any material that you missed. The key is to communicate with me when you aren’t able to attend class.
Tobacco products (including chewing tobacco and e-cigarettes) are not allowed in class.
My office hours are shown above on my weekly schedule. I am also available by appointment. My office is Blake B-02, which is one of the Blake apartments. You can find it on this map. It looks like a student apartment, but I am using it as my office while the new science building is being built. During my regularly scheduled office hours the front door should be unlocked, so feel free to come in. I’ll be right upstairs. If you would prefer to schedule online office hours, let me know and I’ll be happy to set up a Zoom meeting.
The term grade will be based on the results of the examinations and homework.
| Component | Proportion |
|---|---|
| Quizzes | 30% |
| Projects | 20% |
| Midterm 1 | 10% |
| Midterm 2 | 10% |
| Midterm 3 | 10% |
| Final Exam | 20% |
There is a saying that, “you learn math by doing math.” This is very true! During most class periods you will be asked to solve problems as part of an in-class workshop. Any problems you do not complete during class become homework problems. I do not collect the workshops. Instead, you may use your completed workshops during Friday quizzes.
Every Thursday (except when midterm exams are scheduled) there will be a 10-15 minute quiz on material covered that week. Each quiz will have 3 or 4 problems and will cover material similar to the in-class and take-home problems. During quizzes you are allowed to use your notes and solutions to old class workshop problems. The lowest quiz grade will be dropped from the final average.
There will be three in-class midterm exams and a cumulative final. The exams will be closed book. You are allowed to use a scientific or graphing calculator during the exams. You may also use your cellphone as a calculator, but you may not use your phone for any other purpose during exams. The final exam will be on Monday, May 2 at 6pm.
There will be three homework projects at the end of the semester. These projects will require you to analyze real world data, make graphs, carry out relevant statistical tests, and explain your conclusions. The projects must by typed using a computer and you can e-mail them to me when they are due. If you wish, you may work with a partner on the project. If you do work with a partner then you can both submit one file together, just be sure that both of your names are clearly listed on the file that you submit. Aside from work with your partner, all work should be your own. Each project will be graded holistically using the following rubric:
The dates listed for the projects on the schedule above are when the projects will be assigned, not when they are due. You will have at least 3 days from when a project is assigned until it will be due.
In compliance with the Hampden-Sydney College policy and equal access laws, I am available to discuss appropriate academic accommodations that may be recommended for students with disabilities. Requests for academic accommodations are to be made at the beginning of the semester (except for unusual circumstances) so that appropriate arrangements can be made. Students are required to contact the Office of Academic Success in order to verify their eligibility for appropriate accommodations.
If we need to switch to an online virtual course at any point during the semester, the basic outline and schedule of topics for the course will remain the same. I will provide asynchronous video guided notes and workshops to help learn the material. I will also divide the class into smaller groups and schedule Zoom meetings during our regular class time where we can go over the material in more detail. I may also incorporate a short oral examination as part of one or more of the midterm or final exams. If you know that you will have trouble with Zoom from home, please let me know.