MTH 320.01 Probability and Statistics

Fall 2002, MWF 1:00-2:15 pm, SC 301

 

Instructor:  Dr. Lisa E. Rome

Office:  SC 311B                Phone Numbers:  Office:  244-4259    (Home phone, before 10 pm: 859-581-1490)

Office Hours:  TR 9:15-11:30 am;  MWF 10 – 11 am.

E-mail:  lisa_rome@mail.msj.edu

 

Text:  Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists, 7th Edition, by Walpole, Myers, Myers, and Ye.

 

Pre-requisite:  MTH 220 (Foundations of Advanced Mathematics)

Co-requisite:  MTH 291 (Calculus III )

 

Course Objectives:

  1. To understand and use the concept of probability and the axioms and rules associated with probability through algebraic, geometric, and combinatorial arguments.  To understand applications of the Monte Carlo method.

  2. To understand the concepts of random variables and discrete and continuous probability distributions, including the uniform, binomial, normal and t- distributions. 

  3. To use mathematical expectation for finding means, variances, and covariances.

  4. To understand random sampling, descriptive and inferential statistics, and graphical techniques for data analysis.

  5. To use one or more types of computer software, such as MAPLE, SPSS, and/or TI-Interactive, to explore and understand statistics and to analyze data.

  6. To gain an appreciation of statistics as an applied science with applications in the physical sciences, the behavioral sciences, manufacturing and engineering, medicine, and economics.

  7. To fully appreciate the lives and contributions of men and women in the areas of theoretical statistics, applied statistics, and probability over the past 300 years.

 

 

Course Content:  Selected material from the first 10 chapters of the text.   The first half of the semester (roughly) will be spent building a foundation in probability and gaining a working knowledge of some common probability distributions; the second half of the semester will be spent looking at the basic ideas of inferential statistics:  confidence intervals and hypothesis testing.

 

Method of Instruction:  My teaching style is one of lecturing with, hopefully, lots of input from students.  I try to make time in class to discuss homework problems (that is, I may discuss some problems and sometimes you may be called on to discuss your solutions).    You will also spend some class time working on problems in groups.   I do like to have a fairly “light” atmosphere in class, but I do take the material very seriously and expect that you will take your learning seriously too…but also have fun! 

               

Homework and Quizzes:  Homework will be collected and selected problems graded about every other class meeting.  (See tentative class schedule for more details.)  Each homework assignment will be worth 10 points.  Occasional quizzes may also be given; quizzes mayor may not be announced ahead of time.  On most occasions quizzes will be based on material relating to the previous two class periods; quizzes will be worth 10 points each.  If more than 15 homework and quiz scores are obtained through the semester, only the top 15 scores will count towards your course homework/quiz total.

 

Exams/Tentative Exam Dates:  There will be three “one-hour” exams during the semester and a two-hour comprehensive final exam.  Unless announced otherwise, exam dates will be as follows:

                Exam 1:  Wednesday, September 25

                Exam 2:  Monday, October 28

                Exam 3:  Monday, November 25

                Comprehensive Final Exam:  Wednesday, December 11, 8:30 – 10:20 am. 

 

Mark these dates on your calendar NOW, so that you do not miss an exam! 

 

Going to miss an exam?  (Hint:  It’s best not to!!)  If you are going to miss an exam, you MUST let me know BEFORE the exam is given or else a zero will be assigned for your grade on that exam.  If I cannot be reached at the phone number given above, then leave a message with the Department secretary at 244-4895.   Make-up exams will only be allowed in cases where an absence can be proven to be legitimate – NO EXCEPTIONS!

 

Special Projects:  There will be two or three “special projects” which will require work which goes beyond the daily homework assignments.   These projects will be described later in the semester.

 

Attendance:  Regular class attendance is a requirement for the course.  Points will be deducted for excessive absences.   You are responsible for all material assigned or covered in class.    If you do miss class for any reason, it is your responsibility to keep up with the class. 

 

Grading:  Course grades will be based on total points earned. Tentatively, the total points will break down as follows:

 

3 Exams @ 100 points each                                                            300 pts.

Final Exam                                                                                          200 pts.

Weekly homework/quizzes/class participation                    150 pts.

Special Projects                                                                                   50 pts.

                                                                                TOTAL:                700 pts.

 

Course grades will be determined according to the following scale:

 

Excellent Achievement                   A:  93% to 100%  (651 to 700 pts.)

High Achievement                           B:  82% to 93%  (574 to 650 pts.)

Satisfactory Achievement             C:  70% to 82%  (490 to 573 pts.)

Minimal Achievement                    D:  60% to 70%  (420 to 489 pts.)

Failure                                                  F:  Below 60%  (Less than 420 pts.)

 

 

Academic Honesty:  College regulations regarding honesty will be honored.  These can be found in the Student Handbook.  You are encouraged to locate and review these policies on a regular basis.

 

Cell phones and pagers:  Please keep all cell phones, pagers, etc. turned off during class, except with prior permission of the instructor.

 

Withdrawals:  Note that Friday, November 1 is the last day to withdraw from class with a “W.”  No withdrawals will be allowed after this date.

 

Accomodations:  If you have specific physical, psychological, or learning disabilities and require accommodations, please let me know early in the semester so that your learning needs are appropriately met.