Statistics 100. Section 1
Fall 1998 Syllabus

DESCRIPTION     The course is about how samples of data are used to make generalizations. The objective is to improve a student's ability to assess statistical information in everyday life and in other University courses. Topics covered include methods for collecting and summarizing data, the evaluation of the accuracy of an estimate, and an introduction to statistical inference. The course is less technical and more conceptual than Statistics 200.  There are no prerequisites.

INSTRUCTOR    Bob Heckard, e-mail at  rho@stat,psu.edu  ,    phone 865-3131
                              Office is 308 Thomas Building
                              Office Hours - M and F  10 - 11:30 or by appt.,
 
TEXTBOOK       Seeing Through Statistics     by Jessica Utts .
WEB SITE          www.stat.psu.edu/~rho/  .  Site has exercise solutions, past tests,, and more.
 
REQUIRED  WORK       Four midterm exams and a comprehensive final. Exams will be multiple choice and computer graded (bring a pencil to the exam). Each midterm is scored as 100 points. Your lowest midterm score won't count.   The final will be scored as 150 points.

There will also be 4 short homework assignments, each scored as 6 points, and about 12 unannounced, randomly timed in-class activities, each scored as 3 points. Your goal in the homework/activity area is to get to 50 points which is the maximum we'll use for this part of the grade. Note that the homework and activity points add to about 60 so you can miss a homework and/or a few activities and still achieve the 50 points.

GRADES           Remember - your lowest midterm score will be dropped. Each midterm = 100 . Final exam = 150 . Homework/ activities = 50 . TOTAL POSSIBLE = 500. Tentative grade borderlines in terms of points and percentages follow. These borderlines may be lowered slightly depending on class performance. Borderlines will definitely not be raised.
                 A = 460 (92%) , A - = 450 (90%) , B + = 435 (87%) , B = 410 (82%) ,
                 B - = 400 ( 80 %) , C + = 385 (77%) , C = 335 (67%) , D = 275 ( 55%)

EXAM DATES:    Wed. Sept. 23,    Mon. Oct. 19,   Wed.  Nov. 11 ,   Wed. Dec. 9
                               Final   :   Thursday.  Dec. 17,  12:20 p.m.

COURSE RULES
         1.  No late exams will be given for any reason. If you miss one exam, it's automatically your
              lowest midterm score so it will be dropped.
         2.  Early exams will be given, with advance arrangement,  to students with direct conflicts
             due to another required  University activity (athletics, field trip, Blue Band trip, etc.).
         3.  Homework will not be accepted after the announced due date.
         4.  Students are responsible for all announcements and supplements given within any lecture.
         5.  Cheating will be punished in accordance with University guidelines.