STATISTICS
Fall 2020
Course
Web Site: http://faculty.tcu.edu/gfriedman/stats
Instructor: Dr. Greg Friedman
e-mail: g.friedman@tcu.edu
Office: 358B Tucker Technology
Center
Phone: 817-257-6343
Office
Hours: Office hour Zoom meetings can be
arranged at any time by e-mailing or calling me. Once I receive such a request
I will do my best to meet with you as soon as possible, almost always within 24
hours. I’m also happy to answer questions by e-mail when possible. Office hour
Zoom meetings will be at the same Zoom link as the class meetings.
Final
Exam: Friday, November 20
Class
Schedule: MWF 12:00-12:50 by Zoom at https://tcu.zoom.us/j/96480554400
or Telephone (audio only): US: +1
346 248 7799
Meeting ID: 964 8055 4400
International numbers available: https://tcu.zoom.us/u/aBikMqDRj
Required Resources: The text will be Probability & Statistics for Engineering and the Sciences, Ninth Edition by Jay L. Devore with WebAssign access. Online access will also provide access to an online version of the textbook. However, purchasing a physical copy of the textbook is strongly suggested as it can be difficulty to navigate across pages using the online version.
You can access WebAssign through our TCU Online D2L course page. You can purchase WebAssign access directly on the site with a credit card or purchase a card with an access code through the TCU bookstore. You can also purchase a book and access card through other sites such as Amazon. There is also a cheaper loose leaf version available.
For accessibility resources related to the book and/or WebAssign, please visit the Cengage Accessibility web site.
Prerequisites: Students are expected to be expert in the material of Calculus I and Calculus II.
Asking questions: Ask questions in class! It helps me know what needs to be explained better, and it makes classmates grateful that someone had the courage to ask. You are also encouraged to ask questions before class, after class, in my office hours, by e-mail, over telegraph, and every other possible way. Don't be shy!
Calculators/Tech: You will need either a spreadsheet program
with statistical capabilities such as Excel or a calculator with statistics
capabilities. Excel is preferred. You can downloaded a copy of Microsoft
Office, including Excel, from TCU; if your computer cannot run Excel, you
may be able to use Excel
Online, which is available for free after setting up a Microsoft account. The following calculators are acceptable, though
fancier ones should also be okay: TI-83 Plus, TI-83 Plus Silver
Edition, TI-84 Plus, TI-84 Plus Silver Edition, TI-Nspire with the TI-84 Plus keypad installed.
Health and Safety
If you are exhibiting new symptoms that may be related to
COVID-19 (fever or chills, dry cough, shortness of breath, etc.) or are
concerned that you may have been exposed to COVID-19, you must self-quarantine
and consult with the Brown Lupton Health Center at 817-257-7949 for further
guidance. In addition, you must notify the Campus Life Office immediately at
817-257-7926. Campus Life will inform your professors that you are unable to
attend class, and provide any assistance and support needed. Click here for
detailed information concerning COVID-19 symptoms: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.
If you are unwell, but are not exhibiting potential
COVID-19-related symptoms, please notify me via email as soon as possible that
you are ill and will not be attending class
Course Policies and Procedures
Class Meeting and Attendance: Class meetings will be MWF 12:00-12:50 by Zoom at https://tcu.zoom.us/j/96480554400 (or Telephone (audio only): US: +1 346 248 7799, International numbers available at https://tcu.zoom.us/u/aBikMqDRj).
Recordings of class meetings will be posted to a YouTube playlist (click to go to the playlist). The videos and playlist will be unlisted and so only viewable by those with this link.
Attendance at Zoom class
sessions is required. For each unexcused absence after 5, a 0.5% penalty will
be deducted from your final course grade. You are responsible for all
material and information from all class sessions, for handing in all homework
on time, and for taking all exams at the appointed times.
Students are also expected to
leave their cameras turned on during Zoom meetings. This helps me to assess how
well you’re understanding the presentation as well as making the class more
welcoming for all the students. Unless you have a good reason for not leaving
your camera on (in which case you should contact me by e-mail as soon as
possible, or alternatively contact me in advance for permission), attending
without the camera on will count as an absence.
Exams: There will be two midterm exams; see the calendar below (dates subject to change). The final exam will be on Friday, November 20. Each exam will be timed, but the class will be given a window of time to complete the exam. For example, an exam might be a one-hour timed exam, but you will be able to take it whenever you want over a range of days. The current plan for midterms is that you will have the whole weekend corresponding to the Saturday classes with the exam due by 11:59 PM Sunday evening. The final exam will be a bit more regimented with the exam only available on November 20 and due at 11:59 PM.
Exams will be made available either on TCU Online or via a Box folder. When you view or download the exam it will create a timestamp. You will have to upload your solutions to TCU Online within a given amount of time from when you view or download the exam. More specific instructions will be given prior to each exam. Exams must be submitted in pdf format or they will not be accepted.
Homework: Problems will be assigned via WebAssign, which can be
accessed through TCU Online. Problems will be assigned following each class
session and due at the
beginning of the
second class session following completion of the
textbook section in class (due dates will be listed with the problems). Unexcused
late problem sets may not be graded and will count as a 0 toward your overall
homework grade. You may discuss homework
problems with others and are encouraged to come to me for help at any time. You
may discuss homework problems with other students in the class, BUT solutions must be solved and submitted individually.
In other words, you may work in groups in attempting to figure out how to solve
problems, but you must work out actual solutions on your own and demonstrate
your own mastery of the solution. It is imperative that you learn the material
for yourself; there will be no collaboration on exams.
Group Mini-projects: To promote an engaged and connected student experience as well as practice real-world applications of course materials, students will perform group-based mini-projects throughout the semester. Full details will be provided in a separate handout.
Plagiarism:
In addition to copying homework solutions from others in the class, looking up
answers on the internet (or anywhere else) and using those answers to write
your homework solutions is plagiarism and will not be tolerated. At
minimum, plagiarism will result in a 0 on the assignment and reporting to the
dean’s office. Other penalties might include a 0 for your overall homework
grade, removal from the course with an automatic grade of F (not replaceable),
or suspension from the university.
Grading: Your final average will be determined approximately as follows: 35% for the final exam, 25% for each midterm, 10% for homework, and 5% for group mini-projects. A cumulative average of 90% or above guarantees at least an A-, a cumulative average of 80% or above guarantees at least a B-, a cumulative average of 70% or above guarantees at least a C-, and a cumulative average of 60% or above guarantees at least a D-. Actual grade lines will be determined by the instructor; lower numerical averages might earn higher letter grades.
Note: Homework grades will be tracked primarily through WebAssign. Periodically (once every few weeks) your homework average will be updated on TCU Online. Other grades (exams/projects) will be entered into both WebAssign and TCU Online as they occur. In general, the most accurate version of your current grade can be found on WebAssign.
On Concepts: On exams and
homework you will be tested not just on your ability to perform calculations
but also on your understanding of concepts discussed in class and in the book.
Therefore, it is important for you to read the material in the text (which you
will be responsible for) and to study notes from class.
Make-ups and accommodations: All work is expected to be turned in by the assigned due dates and times. Late work will not be accepted without a valid excuse. In the event that you will be unable to take an exam on time, an official written excuse is required. I expect to be notified at least one week in advance except in the case of serious emergency, and in all cases I expect to be notified as soon as reasonably possible. Excuses may also be given by me to hand in homework late, again provided that a reasonable request is made in advance or proof of emergency situation is presented. Failure to abide by this policy will result in loss of course credit. For any special accommodations or rescheduling you may need, it is your responsibility to contact me at least one week in advance. For final exams, all rescheduling must be initiated by you at least one month in advance.
If you experience a technological problem that prevents you from handing in work on time, you must document the event immediately via picture or screenshot and contact me as soon as possible.
Extra help: In addition to help from me, students may seek extra help from the math clinic or through tutoring. Please contact me for more information.
Calendar: The course will meet via Zoom at all scheduled course times except those noted for exams. Class meetings will be MWF 12:00-12:50 by Zoom at https://tcu.zoom.us/j/96480554400 (or Telephone (audio only): US: +1 346 248 7799, International numbers available at https://tcu.zoom.us/u/aBikMqDRj).
Each week we will
cover the topics contained in the following sections of the text. Homework
assignments will be posted via TCU Online/WebAssign with due dates clearly
marked; in general, homework will be due at the start of the second
class period after the day it is assigned. Sections marked with an
asterisk (*) will be included only if well ahead of schedule (and so are likely
to be skipped). This calendar should be taken as a rough guideline, subject to
much possible change
|
Week |
Start Date |
Text Sections |
Special Dates |
|
1 |
Aug. 17 |
2.1, 2.2, 2.5 |
|
|
2 |
Aug. 24 |
3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 |
|
|
3 |
Aug. 31 |
4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4* |
|
|
4 |
Sep. 7 |
5.3, 5.5, 5.4 |
|
|
5 |
Sep. 14 |
1.1, 1.3, 1.4 |
|
|
6 |
Sep. 21 (4 classes) |
6.1, 7.1 |
Exam 1 – Weekend of September 26 (in
place of September 26 class meeting) |
|
7 |
Sep. 28 |
7.2, 7.3, 7.4 |
|
|
8 |
Oct. 5 |
8.1, 8.2 |
|
|
9 |
Oct. 12 |
8.3, 8.4, 9.1 |
|
|
10 |
Oct. 19 (4 classes) |
9.2, 9.4*, 9.5* |
October 22 – Last day to drop October 23 – Last day to choose P/NC option |
|
Exam 2 – Weekend of October 24 (in place of October 24
class meeting), |
|||
|
11 |
Oct. 26 |
10.1, 10.2 |
|
|
12 |
Nov. 2 |
12.1, 12.2, 12.3*, 12.4*, 12.5 |
|
|
13 |
Nov. 9 |
14.1*, 14.3* 15.1*, 15.2* |
|
|
14 |
Nov. 16 |
Review |
Last Day of Class – Nov. 16 |
|
Final Exam – Friday, Nov. 20 |
|||
|
15 |
Nov. 23 |
|
|
1.
Develop
skills in basic probability theory for the purposes of application to
statistical modeling
2.
Apply
descriptive statistics to analyze data
3.
Estimate
statistical parameters using point estimates and confidence intervals
4.
Perform
hypothesis tests about statistical parameters
5.
Apply
analysis of variance (ANOVA) to analyze differences across multiple populations
6.
Perform
linear regression to assess the relationship between two variables
Mapping of Course
Outcomes to Course Activities and Assignments
|
Course
Outcome(s) |
Course
Activities |
Approximate
Number of Instances |
|
1 |
Lectures on Chapters 2-5 of the text
and associated homework assignments (one per lecture) |
10 |
|
2 |
Lectures on Chapter 1 of the text
and associated homework assignments (one per lecture) |
2 |
|
3 |
Lectures on Chapters 6-7 of the
text and associated homework assignments (one per lecture) |
5 |
|
4 |
Lectures on Chapters 8-9 of the
text and associated homework assignments (one per lecture) |
7 |
|
5 |
Lectures on Chapter 10 of the
text and associated homework assignments (one per lecture) |
3 |
|
6 |
Lectures on Chapter 12 of the
text and associated homework assignments (one per lecture) |
6 |
|
2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
Group mini-projects |
6 |
|
1, 2, 3, 4 |
Midterm exams |
2 |
|
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
Final exam |
1 |
Grading Rubrics
Homework: Homework will be auto-graded by WebAssign. Partial credit for work will not be available.
Group Mini-projects: A rubric is provided with the Group Mini-project assignment sheet.
Exams: The number of points available for an exam problem will be displayed on the exam. Exam problems will be graded according to the following approximate rubric. The categorization of your performance for a given problem on the chart below, as well as the precise grade within the category are at the discretion of the instructor. This rubric is intended to give you an idea of what I’m looking for when grading, but ultimately I will assign points according to my own judgment.
Some problems may require multiple steps with the student expected to know what those steps are; in particular, the steps and their corresponding point subtotals may not be provided. In this case each step will be graded according to the rubric below with the weight for a particular step or problem part determined by the instructor. Such weightings will be consistent for all students in the class.
Problems will be scored via a deduction method as follows:
|
Deduction |
Possible
reasons for deduction |
|
0% deduction (full credit) |
Answer is completely correct. All
required steps have been performed. All computations are correct. All
requested information has been given clearly and in the expected format (e.g.
full non-technical English sentences if required). |
|
0%-25% deduction |
Problem is substantially correct
but contains minor errors, such as: a minor copy error, a minor part of a
computation or formula is incorrect, or required conclusions are not stated
clearly or as required. |
|
25%-50% deduction |
Answer has multiple minor errors
(as above) or a more significant error, such as: overall technique is
generally correct but there are serious computational errors, incorrect formula
or technique has been applied, or conclusion has flaws in correctness or
presentation. |
|
50-75% deduction |
Answer has several errors,
possibly multiple small or mid-level errors, or a major error, such as:
serious flaws in methodology, critical computational errors, incorrect
results, major flaws in stating conclusions. |
|
75-100% deduction |
Answer is substantially incorrect,
for example: the correct methods have not been applied, only rudimentary work
has been provided, required mathematical conditions to proceed with a
computation have not been met, conclusions absent. |
|
100% deduction (no credit) |
Answer has not been submitted. |
University Disclosures
Syllabus Disclosures
Fall 2020
Campus Life and the Student Experience will Be Different This Year.
The health and safety of students, faculty, and staff is Texas Christian
University’s highest priority. TCU has implemented public health interventions,
which includes following local and state public health orders and CDC
guidelines. These health interventions may impact your experience as a student
both inside and outside the classroom. Safety protocols may change during the
semester and may result in modifications or changes to the teaching format,
delivery method, or the course schedule (e.g., altering meeting times or
frequency; changing beginning or ending dates for a term; or partially or
completely moving from a face-to-face classroom teaching to an online teaching
or remote learning format). Any changes in teaching format, delivery method, or
course schedule will not impact the credit hours for the course.
Health and Wellness: If you are exhibiting symptoms that may be related to COVID-19 (fever or chills, dry cough, shortness of breath, etc.) or are concerned that you may have been exposed to COVID-19, you must self-quarantine and consult with the Brown Lupton Health Center at 817-257-7949 for further guidance.
In addition, you must notify the Campus Life Office immediately at 817-257-7926. Campus Life will inform your professors that you are unable to attend class, and provide any assistance and support needed. Click here for detailed information concerning COVID-19 symptoms: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.
If you are unwell, but are not exhibiting potential COVID-19-related symptoms, please notify your instructor as soon as possible that you are ill and will not be attending class.
If you do not feel well enough to attend class in person, but feel well enough to attend class remotely, please notify your instructor as soon as possible before the class begins to arrange attendance via video conferencing.
Face Coverings and Physical Distancing: Face coverings are required on campus, unless you are alone in your private office or dorm room. Students will be expected to practice physical distancing and wear protective face coverings at all times while in public spaces on the TCU campus. Failing to do so in the classroom could result in the student being asked to leave the room and continue the class through remote access. Additionally, the instructor has the option to terminate the class period and continue it as a remote session if students do not wear required masks or practice physical distancing.
Student Access and Accommodation: Texas Christian University affords students with disabilities reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. To be eligible for disability-related academic accommodations, students are required to register with the TCU Office of Student Access and Accommodation and have their requested accommodations evaluated. Students are required to provide instructors an official TCU notification of accommodation approved through Student Access and Accommodation. More information on how to apply for accommodations can be found at https://www.tcu.edu/access-accommodation/ or by calling Student Access and Accommodation at (817) 257-6567. Accommodations are not retroactive and require advance notice to implement.
Only the official TCU student email address will be used for all course notification. It is your responsibility to check your TCU email on a regular basis.
TCU students are prohibited from sharing any portion of course materials (including videos, PowerPoint slides, assignments, or notes) with others, including on social media, without written permission by the course instructor. Accessing, copying, transporting (to another person or location), modifying, or destroying programs, records, or data belonging to TCU or another user without authorization, whether such data is in transit or storage, is prohibited. The full policy can be found at: https://security.tcu.edu/polproc/usage-policy/.
Violating this policy is considered a violation of Section 3.2.15 of the Student Code of Conduct (this policy may be found in the Student Handbook at https://tcu.codes/code/index/), and may also constitute Academic Misconduct or Disruptive Classroom Behavior (these policies may be found in the undergraduate catalog at https://tcu.smartcatalogiq.com/current/Undergraduate-Catalog/Student-Policies/Academic-Conduct-Policy-Details). TCU encourages student debate and discourse; accordingly, TCU generally interprets and applies its policies, including the policies referenced above, consistent with the values of free expression and First Amendment principles.
TCU prohibits discrimination and harassment based on age,
race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender
expression, national origin, ethnic origin, disability, predisposing genetic
information, covered veteran status, and any other basis protected by law,
except as permitted by law. TCU also prohibits unlawful sexual and gender-based
harassment and violence, sexual assault, incest, statutory rape, sexual
exploitation, intimate partner violence, bullying, stalking, and retaliation.
We understand that discrimination, harassment, and sexual violence can
undermine students’ academic success and we encourage students who have
experienced any of these issues to talk to someone about their experience, so
they can get the support they need.
·
Review
TCU’s Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment and Related Conduct or to
file a complaint: https://titleix.tcu.edu/title-ix/.
·
Learn about the
Campus Community Response Team and Report a Bias Incident: https://titleix.tcu.edu/campus-community-response-team/
As an instructor, one of my responsibilities is to help create a safe learning environment on our campus. It is my goal that you feel able to share information related to your life experiences in classroom discussions, in your written work, and in our one-on-one meetings. I will seek to keep any information your share private to the greatest extent possible. However, I have a mandatory reporting responsibility under TCU policy and federal law and I am required to share any information I receive regarding sexual harassment, discrimination, and related conduct with TCU’s Title IX Coordinator. Students can receive confidential support and academic advocacy by contacting TCU’s Confidential Advocate in the Campus Advocacy, Resources & Education office at https://care.tcu.edu/ or by calling (817) 257-5225 or the Counseling & Mental Health Center at https://counseling.tcu.edu/ or by calling (817) 257-7863. Alleged violations can be reported to the Title IX Office at https://titleix.tcu.edu/student-toolkit/ or by calling (817) 257-8228. Should you wish to make a confidential report, the Title IX Office will seek to maintain your privacy to the greatest extent possible, but cannot guarantee confidentiality. Reports to law enforcement can be made to the Fort Worth Police Department at 911 for an emergency and (817) 335-4222 for non-emergency or TCU Police at (817) 257-7777.
Mandatory Reporters: All TCU employees, except Confidential Resources, are considered Mandatory Reporters for purposes of their obligations to report, to the Coordinator, conduct that raises Title IX and/or VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) issues.
Mandatory Reporters are required
to immediately report to the Coordinator information about conduct that raises
Title IX and/or VAWA issues, including any reports, complaints or allegations
of sexual harassment, discrimination and those forms of prohibited conduct that
relate to nonconsensual sexual intercourse or contact, sexual exploitation,
intimate partner violence, stalking and retaliation involving any member of the
TCU community, except as otherwise provided within the Policy
on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment and Related Conduct.
Mandatory Reporters may receive
this information in a number of ways. For example, a complainant may report the
information directly to a Mandatory Reporter, a witness or third-party may
provide information to a Mandatory Reporter, or a Mandatory Reporter may
personally witness such conduct. A Mandatory Reporter’s obligation to report
such information to the Coordinator does not depend on how he/she received the
information. Mandatory Reporters must provide all known information about
conduct that raises Title IX or VAWA issues to the Coordinator, including the
identities of the parties, the date, time and location, and any other details.
Failure of a Mandatory Reporters to provide such information to the Coordinator
in a timely manner may subject the employee to appropriate discipline,
including removal from a position or termination of employment.
Mandatory Reporters cannot
promise to refrain from forwarding the information to the Coordinator if it
raises Title IX or VAWA issues or withhold information about such conduct from
the Coordinator. Mandatory Reporters may provide support and assistance to a
complainant, witness, or respondent, but they should not conduct any
investigation or notify the respondent unless requested to do so by the
Coordinator.
Mandatory Reporters are not
required to report information disclosed (1) at public awareness events (e.g.,
“Take Back the Night,” candlelight vigils, protests, “survivor speak-outs,” or
other public forums in which students may disclose such information
(collectively, public awareness events); or (2) during an individual’s
participation as a subject in an Institutional Review Board approved human subjects
research protocol (IRB Research). TCU may provide information about Title IX
rights and available resources and support at public awareness events, however,
and Institutional Review Boards may, in appropriate cases, require researchers
to provide such information to all subjects of IRB Research.
Relevant reporting phone numbers are: 911 for an emergency and (817) 335-4222 for non-emergency or TCU Police at (817) 257-7777.
[The
following template text has been provided by the Assistant Vice Chancellor for
Public Safety after approval by the Student Government Association (SGA) for
inclusion in TCU syllabi. Online students may find themselves on campus using
TCU resources (ex: library, writing center, health center) or attending events.
The following safety information may be useful in the event of an emergency or
if students receive TCU Alert updates.]
Please review TCU’s L.E.S.S. is More public
safety video to learn about Lockdown, Evacuate, and Seek Shelter
procedures. (https://publicsafety.tcu.edu/less-is-more/)
TCU’s Public Safety website provides maps that show our building’s rally point for evacuation and the seek shelter location. (https://publicsafety.tcu.edu/)
In the event of an emergency, call the TCU Police Department at 817-257-7777.
Download the Frogshield Campus Safety App on your phone. (https://police.tcu.edu/frogshield/)
Academic Misconduct (Sec. 3.4 from the TCU Code of Student Conduct): Any act that violates the academic integrity of the institution is considered academic misconduct. The procedures used to resolve suspected acts of academic misconduct are available in the offices of Academic Deans and the Office of Campus Life and are also listed in detail in the Undergraduate Catalog and the Graduate Catalog Specific examples include, but are not limited to:
· Cheating:
Copying from another student’s test paper, laboratory report, other report, or
computer files and listings; using, during any academic exercise, material
and/or devices not authorized by the person in charge of the test;
collaborating with or seeking aid from another student during a test or
laboratory without permission; knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing,
transporting, or soliciting in its entirety or in part, the contents of a test
or other assignment unauthorized for release; substituting for another student
or permitting another student to substitute for oneself.
· Plagiarism:
The appropriation, theft, purchase or obtaining by any means another’s work,
and the unacknowledged submission or incorporation of that work as one’s own
offered for credit. Appropriation includes the quoting or paraphrasing of
another’s work without giving credit therefore.
· Collusion:
The unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing work offered for
credit.
· Abuse
of resource materials: Mutilating, destroying, concealing,
or stealing such material.
· Computer
misuse: Unauthorized or illegal use of
computer software or hardware through the TCU Computer Center or through any
programs, terminals, or freestanding computers owned, leased or operated by TCU
or any of its academic units for the purpose of affecting the academic standing
of a student.
· Fabrication
and falsification: Unauthorized alteration or
invention of any information or citation in an academic exercise. Falsification
involves altering information for use in any academic exercise. Fabrication
involves inventing or counterfeiting information for use in any academic
exercise.
· Multiple
submission: The submission by the same
individual of substantial portions of the same academic work (including oral
reports) for credit more than once in the same or another class without
authorization.
· Complicity
in academic misconduct: Helping another to commit an
act of academic misconduct.
· Bearing
false witness: Knowingly and falsely accusing
another student of academic misconduct.