Welcome to Math 115
(Also listed as Social Studies 115)
This course will introduce the notions of variability
and uncertainty and such common statistical concepts as point and interval
estimation and hypothesis testing. Data-oriented, with real-world examples
chosen from the social and biological sciences. The computer is used
for data analysis and to illustrate probabilistic and statistical concepts.
Office Hours: The best way to contact me is to call /stop
by my office or to send me an email. I will typically respond to any
email within 24 hours. Office hours are 1:15-2 on Monday and Wednesday,
9:30-10:30 on Tuesday and 10:00-11 on Friday.
The best way to contact me is to call /stop by during
office hours or to send me an email. I will typically respond to any
email within 24 hours.
Text: The Basic Practice of Statistics, 3rd edition,
by David Moore
As our textbook defines it: "Statistics is the science
of data." It's our mission to learn the fundamentals of this science,
at a practical level. Notice that our textbook uses the phrase, "practice
of statistics." Specifically, I have these student goals in mind
for the course:
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Students will appreciate the usefulness of obtaining
and analyzing data for making decisions and advancing knowledge.
(Decisions through data)
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Students will understand the "big picture"
description of what statistics is and be able to identify the components
of the big picture in specific instances of statistical work. (The
Big Picture)
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Students will understand the importance of data
collection and be able to critique the quality of studies based
upon issues of data collection. (Data quality)
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Students will appreciate the prevalance of statistics
in the advancement of knowledge and will be able to intelligently
discuss media reports about studies that involve statistical issues.
(Statistics in the media)
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Students will be able to apply basic data anlytical
techniques to uncover patterns and truths within data sets, and
will understand the primary importance of graphing the data. (Data
analysis)
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Students will be able to apply the basic techniques
of statistical inference to data, to interpret the results of a
statistical analysis using the concepts of confidence intervals
or tests of significance, and to assess when particular inferential
procedures are appropriate. (Statistical inference)
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Students will be able to communicate the results
of statistical analyses or quantitative findings in writing and
speaking. (Communication)