STAT 100, Section 1: Statistical Concepts and Reasoning

General description of the course: Statistics is the art and science of extracting information from data concerning a question or hypothesis of interest. The objective of this course is to introduce the student to statistical reasoning and interpretation of data analysis.

Textbook:Seeing Through Statistics, Third Edition, by Jessica Utts, published by Duxbury Press. We will cover most of this book.

Schedule: MWF 3:35-4:25 in 101 Thomas

Website: www.stat.psu.edu/~dhunter/100

Instructor: David Hunter <dhunter@stat.psu.edu>, 310 Thomas Building, 863-0979
Office hours: Mondays 10:00-12:30

Teaching Assistant: Andreas Artemiou <aaa195@psu.edu>, 316 Thomas Building, 863-3238
Office hours: Wednesdays 12:15-2:15

Required Work: There will be a total of 500 points awarded in the course, consisting of:
  1. Three in-class mid-semester examinations, each worth 100 points.
  2. Ten randomly timed, in-class quizzes, each worth 5 points.
  3. A comprehensive final exam, worth 150 points.

Final Grades: 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%

Exams: All exams will be in multiple-choice format and will use computer scan-tron (bubble) sheets. To each exam, you should bring:
  1. A single 8.5 x 11 inch sheet of formulas or notes, written on one side only,
  2. No. 2 pencils to complete your scan-tron sheet, and
  3. Your Penn State University student ID card.
You may bring calculators but generally you will not need them.

Quizzes: At least 13 randomly timed, in-class quizzes will be given, and your best 10 scores will count toward the final score. Each quiz is worth 5 points. It is to your advantage to attend class regularly throughout the semester.

Extra credit: There will be occasional chances to earn one point of extra credit for completing small assignments via email. These mini-assignments will be posted on the webpage, not always in obvious places. These opportunities may or may not be announced in class. You will find them by clicking on the following logo whenever you find it:

Homework: Homework will be assigned but not collected. Answers to some homework assignments are posted on the course web page. The exams and quizzes will reflect the homework assignments, so it is advantageous to do your homework diligently.

Course Rules:

1. No late or make-up exams will be given for ANY reason. If you must miss any exam, you should provide a valid reason IN WRITING to the instructor PRIOR TO THE EXAM. If you have to miss an exam at the last minute for some reason, be sure to notify the instructor prior to the exam time by email or by leaving a phone message (in these cases, you should later back up your excuse with written documentation). Once the instructor has approved your written excuse, your final grade will be calculated without the missed exam (e.g., if you miss one of the midterms, then your final grade will be calculated based on 400 total points instead of 500).
2. No make-up quizzes will be given for ANY reason. You will be allowed to drop at least three quiz grades, which should cover any excused absences that may result in a missed quiz.
3. Students are responsible for all announcements and supplements given within any lecture.
4. 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.
5. If you need to leave class early, please sit in the rear and leave as quietly as possible.
6. Please be courteous to your classmates and keep extra noise to a minimum.
7. Please turn off all cell phones and pagers during class.