Prerequisite: MTH 118 (Mathematical Explorations), MTH 119, MTH 119A (Intermediate Algebra),
or equivalent
Textbook: Statistics: Informed Decisions Using Data (3rd Edition) by Sullivan. (Check with instructor on first day of class for textbook options.) This class also requires access to MyStatLab where online homework will be assigned.
Calculator: A TI-84 graphing calculator
is required for this course. The focus of this course
will be on interpreting statistics, not number crunching. All difficult
calculations will be done on the calculator. You must purchase this
calculator.
Delta
College Testing Center (http://www.delta.edu/llic/acadtest.aspx):
M-Th: 7:30 AM - 8:45 PM; F: 7:30 AM - 3:45 PM; Sat: 10 AM - 1:45 PM; Sun: 1 - 5:15 PM
Delta TLC (Free Tutoring and Homework Help):
(http://www.delta.edu/tlc.aspx):
M-Th: 7:30 AM - 9 PM; F: 7:30 AM - 4 PM; Sat: 10 AM - 2 PM; Sun: 1 - 5:30 PM
Also, there is a Math Lab in the LLIC adjacent to the TLC. Math professors are available in the Math Lab to answer your questions. Hours vary depending on the availablility of the faculty. Check the schedule posted outside the Math Lab.
Course Outcomes, Objectives, & Expectations:
Except for a few deviations we will discuss chapters 1 through 14 of the
course textbook. You will learn the tools and concepts of descriptive and
inferential statistics. Topics include: measures of central tendency, variation,
and position; basic probability and probability distributions; the normal
distribution and the Central Limit Theorem; confidence intervals; correlation
and regression; and several methods of hypothesis testing (means, proportions,
variances, Chi Square, ANOVA). The MTH 208 course outcomes and objectives
can be downloaded at
https://public.delta.edu/catalog/Pages/Default.aspx.
Exams: There will be four exams scheduled during this semester. Exams will be administered
in the Delta College Testing Center (http://www.delta.edu/acadtest). You are expected to take each exam during the scheduled
window. If a take-home exam is given, you must turn in the exam by its due
date. If you fail to complete an exam by the last day of its window or by
its due date, a 10% penalty will be imposed. Makeup exams will be given at the instructor’s discretion. (400 points or 66.7%)
Final Project: The
final project will be worth 100 points. This project will occur throughout the semester in parts and will culminate with a final written article, suitable for publication in the local newspaper. There will be one night in mid-March where you will have to come to campus to participate in a 3-hour phone interview session. The project deadlines must be met; all parts of the final project must be emailed, faxed,
or otherwise received by the instructor by their due dates. (100 points or 16.7%)
Online Homework: There will be homework problems assigned throughout
the semester. All homework will
be completed online at the MyStatLab site (http://www.mymathlab.com/). The purpose of these assignments
is to improve your understanding of the concepts of the course and to prepare
you to take the exams. It is expected that you will complete all of the assigned problems
by their due date.
You
will earn 0 points for a homework assignment if you miss the due date. (100 points or 16.7%)
Extra Credit: Extra credit will be offered at the instructor's discretion.
When offered, it will be offered to all students at the same time. The maximum
number of extra credit points you can receive is 30 points.
Grades: Your grade will
be based on your 100-point exam scores, your 100-point final project score, and your 100-point online homework
score. The lowest A- will
be 90.0%, the lowest B- will be 80.0%, the lowest C- will be 70.0%, the
lowest D- will be 60.0%, and anything below 60.0% will be an F. A grade lower than C does not transfer to many four-year institutions.
The lowest C is 72.5%.
| Exams (4) |
400 points
or 66.7%
|
| Final Project |
100 points or 16.7% |
| Online Homework |
100 points or 16.7% |
| Extra Credit |
up to 30 points |
| Total |
600 points |
To succeed in
this course, complete all of the assignments by their due dates, read the
course textbook several times, read all the notes provided by your instructor,
work on statistics outside of class with your peers, and study enough so
that you score well on all the class assignments (exams, homework,
etc.). Expect to spend at least 8 hours per week studying for this class.
Disability
Issues: If you feel that you have an issue related to a disability that
will require extra accommodation beyond that given to all students, please
contact Michael Cooper, Director of Disability Services at 686-9332.
Academic
Honesty:
I expect that academic dishonesty will not
occur in this class. If suspected cheating occurs on
a test, a zero grade will be assigned.
Incidences of academic dishonesty
will be reported to the appropriate college authorities.
Details can be found at https://public.delta.edu/catalog/Documents/PastCatalogs/Catalog%202011%20-%202012.pdf#page299.
Other Class Policies: No texting during class or leaving class to check texts, unless there is a pending potential emergency. Please turn off phones during class.