PSU 016, Section 550: Statistics First-Year Seminar

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. 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 and announced in class at least one week in advance.

Website: www.stat.psu.edu/~dhunter/016

Instructor: David Hunter <dhunter@stat.psu.edu>, 310 Thomas Building, 863-0979
Office hours: By appointment (send email) or walk-in (if I'm in)

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. (Remember, it's an easy class and it only meets once a week!) 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.

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. 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. RRP programs occur outside of the regular meeting time for PSU 016. For more information on the RRP, visit this website: www.racerelationsproject.psu.edu

Grades: There are 14 Wednesdays during the semester (every Wednesday from September 6 through December 13 excluding November 22). There will not be an assignment given on December 13, 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%

Fall 2005 grade tally: fourteen A, two A-, one B+, one B, one C+

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:

• If you need to leave class early, please sit in the rear and leave as quietly as possible. It's nice to warn the instructor before class begins that you'll be leaving early.
• Please be curteous to your classmates and keep extra noise to a minimum.
• Please turn off all cell phones and pagers during class.
• Please don't read newspapers during class.