Official Course Syllabus
What is a syllabus? A written or online syllabus must be distributed to students in each course within the drop/add period for that course (the first ten calendar days of a semester or its equivalent). In addition to course content and expectations, the syllabus must include the course examination policy, basis for grades, and academic integrity policy for the course. Changes to the syllabus shall also be given to the students in writing.
General description of the course: This course is designed to introduce students to Penn State University in general and the department of statistics in particular. Activities and assignments will range from tours and talks on various aspects of University life to short essays written on statistical topics. We will have guest speakers from time to time and we will take a few "field trips" to places like the library and the University Learning Centers.
Textbook: None
Schedule: W 9:05-9:55 in 218 Thomas
Website: www.stat.psu.edu/~dhunter/016
Instructor:
David Hunter
<dhunter@stat.psu.edu>,
310 Thomas Building, 863-0979
Office hours: Mondays 10:00-12:30
Weekly Assignments: Each week, there will be an assignment given in class and posted on the course web page at www.stat.psu.edu/~dhunter/016/assignments. Each assignment will be worth 9 points and it will be due the following week in class. Late assignments will be worth at most 5 points.
Attendance: Attendance in this class is mandatory. If you must miss a class, please contact the instructor BEFOREHAND and give the reason. You will receive 2 points each week for attending class or for a pre-excused absence. Students who miss class are still responsible for turning in assignments on time, which means before 9:05 on Wednesday morning. Please note that that class will not always meet in 218 Thomas. If the class will meet elsewhere, this will be posted on the web site at least one week in advance.
Race Relations Project: The Race Relations Project (RRP) is a peer-facilitated diversity program that employs trained undergraduate students from Penn State to lead small group discussions on topics of race relations relevant to you and the other students participating. Two facilitators from the RRP encourage participants in your group to express their views and experiences on these issues. Because our mission is to expand the multicultural dialogue, our facilitators do not teach or preach or tell you what you should think. Instead, they encourage you to uncover for yourself what you actually think.
RRP programs occur outside of the regular meeting times of your class. Most programs are held in the evenings, although we do have some day time programs throughout the week to accommodate your schedule. For more information on the RRP, visit our website: www.racerelationsproject.psu.edu
Participation in the RRP program is worth 5 points toward your grade. One week before the start date you will receive an email explaining how to register for the RRP program.
Grades: There are 14 Wednesdays during the semester (every Wednesday from August 31 through December 7 excluding November 23). There will not be an assignment given on December 7, which means 13 weekly assignments. The total points possible are therefore (13 times 9) plus (14 times 2) plus 5, or 150.
Final letter grades will be determined as follows:
| B+: 88-89% | C+: 78-79% | ||
| A : 94-100% | B : 84-87% | C : 70-77% | D : 60-69% |
| A-: 90-93% | B-: 80-83% |
Academic Integrity Statement: All Penn State and Eberly College of Science policies regarding academic integrity apply to this course. See http://www.science.psu.edu/academic/Integrity/index.html for details.
Reminders, for this or any class: