PSU 016.550 First-Year Seminar -- Course Information

Instructor: Dr. James L Rosenberger

Office: 326 Thomas Building
Office Hours: 10-12am, Wednesday and by appointment
Email: JLR@stat.psu.edu
Telephone: 865-1348

Teaching Co-instructor: Laura Simon (first two weeks)

Office: 328 Thomas Building
Office Hours: Friday, August 24th and 31st, 12:15-2:15 pm and by appointment
Email: lsimon@stat.psu.edu
Telephone: 863-4891

Course Information:

Classroom: 218 Thomas Building
Meeting time: Wednesday 9:05-9:55am

PSU 016.055 SCIENCE FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR, (STAT)
The First-Year Seminar (FYS) facilitates student's adjustment to the high expectations, demanding workload, increased academic liberties, and other aspects of the transition to college life. The Statistics FYS is intended for students who are interested in understanding the role of statistics and quantification aspects of science. Student experiences in this seminar might include; instruction in study skills and strategies, acquainting students with resources such as the library, computer facilities, the Co-op Office, and the Internet, introducing them to upper-class role models, and advising them individually as they outline their four year plans. Activities to stimulate student interest in statistical science may include readings, discussions, and reports on scientific issues of current interest, research projects on the internet or the library, and writing reviews and summaries of what was learned or heard in public lectures.

Course Syllabus: (topics will be adjusted by feedback and class preference)

Introduction of class members - write biographical sketch
Library Tour and research assignment - locate Science journal issue on The Human Genome
Academic survival skills: academic integrity, getting advice.
What is the legal drinking age. Each student to research the legal age in the country of their choice. Submit the finding and cite or copy the source(s) of the information.
Life management skills: finances, alcohol, time management, health
Attend 5 public lectures during the course of the semester. For each lecture attended, write a brief (1 page) review/critique of the lecture, including the 5 W's: Who, When, Where, What, and Why. Submit the review within a week of the lecture, at the next class period. Suggested the Distinguished Speaker Series, (beginning with Janet Reno, on 5th September) and the Colloquy Series.
Research through the internet.
Writing a resume and exploring careers
Service project (group or individual)
Creating your own web page
Dealing with uncertainty - statistical sciences - Readings from the course text.
- Election night predictions
- Salk vaccine
- Twin studies
- Sports records
Other topics suggested by class

Course Text:

Tanur, et al., "Statistics: A Guide to the Unknown, 3rd Edition., Duxbury Press

Homework Assignments and Grading:

Attendance, participation, and completing assignments should earn an A.
Most weeks will require a short written report of the activity or reading.

Announcements (most recent at the top):

[31 October 2001] This week begin creating your own personal web page. Begin by reqeusting a web account from www.personal.psu.edu and download a template (or a favorite page) to your own floppy disk. Then begin to edit and personalize it using Netscape Composer or another editor. I'll ask to see a few next Wednesday, if you wish to show it off.

[17 October 2001] Reading assignment for the 24th is on pages 53-59, "Does Inheritance Matter in Disease? The use of twin studies in medical research."

[10 October 2001] Update... Class on Wednesday Oct 10 is cancelled, since this is a monday schedule day.
Reading assignment for this week. Read the chapter on "The Biggest Public Health Experiment Ever: The 1954 Field Trial of the Salk Poliomyelitis Vaccine" on page 3 of the textbook. We will now plan to discuss this on Oct 17.

[26 September 2001] Reading assignment this week is to read the chapter on "Election Night on Television" which starts on page 104 or the textbook (listed above). Come prepared to discuss the article on Oct 3. Think about the latest election and the issues described.

[18 September 2001] On Wednesday, 19 Sep, all students in this class are invited to my house, from 5:30-7:30pm for a picnic cook out. We will eat about 6pm and I will give directions how to get there in class.

[20 August 2001] This course assumes that all students are aware of the Penn State standards of academic integrity presented in: http://www.science.psu.edu/academic/integrity/index.html

[19 August 2001] This course web page can be found at: http://www.stat.psu.edu/~jlr/courses/01Fa/PSU016/index.html or by clicking the courses link from the Stat Department home page: http://www.stat.psu.edu/

[18 August 2001] This course will be taught by Professor Rosenberger. However, Instructor Laura Simon will begin the course and teach the first two weeks.