Statistics in a Modern World
STAT 800

Fall 2010, CRN 12394, 3 credits
Department of Statistics
University of Pittsburgh

News

• 10/31/10 Read coincidence stories of our class members orcoincidence stories from 2009 orcoincidence stories from 2006 orcoincidence stories from 2004 orcoincidence stories from 2003 or coincidence stories from 2002 or coincidence stories from 2001 or coincidence stories from 2000
• 10/28/09 Practice Exam 3 handed out; click here for solutions
• Monday, October 11 is Fall Break and no classes meet that day. Instead, all Monday classes are shifted to Tuesday, October 12 and classes for Tuesday are cancelled that week.
• You can use the class survey data to complete some of the extra credit exercises (see Lecture Notes). Anonymous Survey Questions were completed in class 8-30-10; data are now available: 800surveyf10.txt, a tab-delimited text file. The extra credit work can be done by hand or with MINITAB; to downnload the survey file into MINITAB, click on the link, then type ctrl A to highlight it, ctrl C to copy it, start MINITAB and type ctrl V to paste it. Minitab help is available in the Stat Lab: For hours of operation and names of TAs on staff, see schedule but avoid times when it's been reserved (scroll down to their calendar). You may also refer to my own handout MINITAB 15 Basics.

Description

This course introduces statistical reasoning to a diverse audience. The main goal is the understanding of basic statistical principles so that the student can understand research reports involving statistics and applications reported in the media. Statistical reasoning will be taught through the use of examples. An important part of the course will be a non-technical discussion of controlled or randomized experiments. The subject matter will include many examples from the Health and Social Sciences.

Prerequisites

MATH 0031 (Algebra) or equivalent. No Computer Science background is needed. You will need a calculator; it doesn't matter what kind as long as you can operate it.

Requirements

Read the chapters (or lecture slides) and articles to be covered in Lecture before each class. Try to do as many chapter exercises as you can on your own. Some solutions are given at the end of the book; use these to check your work. This should be done after each lecture in order to keep on top of the material, which is by nature cumulative and CANNOT BE LEARNED BY CRAMMING before exams.

Homework Assignments are to be handed in to me in lecture on the Fridays when they are due. Be neat and attach extra sheets to show your work if necessary. Some of the assignments are long; don't attempt to complete everything the night before they are due! NO LATE HOMEWORKS will be accepted. Answers should not be "shared" with other students---otherwise, credit must also be shared. PLEASE NOTIFY ME AND THE GRADER IF YOU INTEND TO WORK TOGETHER ON SOME EXERCISES. Solutions are available for viewing afterwards in my office hours, on request.

EXTRA CREDIT assignments are featured regularly in the Lecture slides. These are always due in the lecture directly following the lecture in which they are assigned.

The four IN-CLASS EXAMS are based on material covered in lecture and your textbook. Problems will be similar to the assigned Exercises but at times more comprehensive. They are closed-book, but you are allowed to bring and refer to 2 two-sided sheets of notes. Calculators are also permitted. Your grade will be based on the best 3 of your 4 EXAM scores (plus homework and final exam). There will be NO MAKE-UP EXAMS. For rare exceptions, I may at my discretion administer an exam to an individual prior to the scheduled time.

The FINAL EXAM will be based on all material covered in the entire course. It is closed-book, but 2 two-sided sheets of notes, and a calculator, are permitted.

Grading

Course Grade

90-100% A; 80-89% B; etc. Plusses and minuses are used for borderline cases and to ensure fairness and consistency.

Textbook (optional)

Jessica Utts: Seeing Through Statistics, 3rd ed., Duxbury Press

Lectures

Powerpoint Lecture Slides: Print in advance of lecture, bring to class, fill in Responses. Or access 1-per-page pdfs for online notetaking.

Note: The material in this course is cumulative in nature. Thus, it is important not to fall behind in your reading or assignments or you will find yourself lost. If you are confused, see me or the course assistant for help.

Note to Students with Disabilities: If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are encouraged to contact both your instructor and Disability Resources and Services, 216 WPU (412) 648-7890, as early as possible in the term. DRS will verify your disability and determine reasonable accommodations for this course. See their website www.drs.pitt.edu

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