Office: Bagby 114
Office phone: 223-6207
Home phone: 392-8604 (before 11:00 pm)
Office hours: 1:30 - 2:20 M-F; other hours by appointment.
E-mail: rkoether@hsc.edu
Web: http://people.hsc.edu/faculty-staff/robbk
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Dr. Robb T. Koether Office: Bagby 114 Office phone: 223-6207 Home phone: 392-8604 (before 11:00 pm) Office hours: 1:30 - 2:20 M-F; other hours by appointment. E-mail: rkoether@hsc.edu Web: http://people.hsc.edu/faculty-staff/robbk |
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If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of giving success. (Eccles. 10:10)
The text for the course is Statistics in Practice, 2nd ed., by Ernest A. Blaisdell.
The web page for this course is at
| Category | Weight | Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Average of homework problem sets | 30% | (3 letter grades) |
| Average of the tests | 40% | (4 letter grades) |
| Term paper grade | 10% | (1 letter grade) |
| The final exam | 20% | (2 letter grades) |
You may work with another student on the homework, but you must never copy anyone else's work and turn it in as your own. Neither should you copy answers from the back of the book. The work you turn in for a grade must be your own work. Otherwise, it is an honor code violation. I will prosecute any cases for which I have sufficient evidence.
The homework is the most important part of this course. Learning mathematics requires gaining knowledge and understanding, but it is also a skill. You should not expect to acquire a skill by listening to a lecturer talk about it. It takes practice. Do all of the homework every night. As you do the homework, make an effort to memorize the formulas and methods. It is easier to memorize a little at a time than a lot at once. When doing the homework, make full use of the available resources:
I strongly recommend that you do the homework as soon as possible after class, perhaps during the following period, while the day's lesson is still fresh. I am generally available until 5:00 pm each day. The tutors are generally available from 8:00 pm until 11:00 pm, Sunday through Thursday. Do not wait until all of your helpers are off duty to begin your assignments.
At the beginning of each class meeting, I will spend up to 15 minutes answering questions on the latest homework. I will discuss only odd-numbered problems. I will not discuss any even-numbered problems. If you have questions about even-numbered problems, you should see me before class. The first 15 minutes of class is not a time to be doing homework. Your homework should already be done.
All outside work is due at the beginning of class on the due date. No late work will be accepted without a valid excuse. (See the Class Attendance section of the Academic Catalogue 2001-2002.) If you must miss class, you should either turn in your work early or send it by a classmate. If you must turn in work late, then turn it in at my office during office hours so that we will have a chance to discuss the reason why it is late.
When you study for a test, do not attempt to do all of your studying in one night. Instead, spread your studying out over several nights. Each test covers three chapters, so perhaps you could devote one night to a single chapter for each of three nights. On the night before a test, the most important thing you can do is to get a good night's rest. Do not drink alcohol on the two or three days before a test. If you do, it will affect your ability to concentrate, think logically, and recall facts. In other words, it will make it look as if you didn't study.
The test schedule is as follows:
| Test | Date | Material |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Fri, Sep 27 | Chapters 1, 2, 3 |
| #2 | Fri, Nov 1 | Chapters 4, 5, 6 |
| #3 | Fri, Dec 4 | Chapters 7, 8, 9 |
Attendance will be checked at the beginning of each class. If you arrive late, you will be counted absent. If that happens and you would like the absence to be changed to a late arrival, then see me after class. Two late arrivals will be counted as one absence.
The only valid excuses for missing class are
No other excuses will be considered.
When assigning final grades, attendance will be taken into account.
| Absences | Action |
|---|---|
| 0 - 2 | Grade bonus (one "part" of a grade) |
| 3 - 5 | Neutral |
| 6 - 8 | Grade penalty (one "part" of a grade) |
| > 8 | Withdrawal (WF) |
A warning letter will be sent out after the 8th absence.
During a lecture,you are free to ask questions. It is polite to raise your hand first and wait to be called on. You should not talk to other students while I am talking.
However, while working assigned problems in class, you are free to talk to other students provided you are talking about the assigned problems.
Do not make a habit of leaving the room during the class. If necessary, use the bathroom before coming to class. If you are thirsty, get a drink before class.
Last modified: Aug 22, 2002
URL: http://people.hsc.edu/faculty-staff/robbk/Math121/MA121Syllabus.html