Course Overview

Introduction to Elementary Statistical Methods

This course, MATH 1342, provides an introduction to statistical methods, focusing on the collection, analysis, presentation, and interpretation of data, as well as probability. The curriculum covers descriptive statistics, probability, sampling distributions, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, correlation, and regression. The course is designed to equip students with foundational skills in statistics, preparing them for further study and practical application in various fields.

Main Topics and Learning Outcomes

State-Defined Learning Outcomes

• Data Collection and Statistics: Understand how data collection and statistical analysis are used to reach reasonable conclusions.

• Describing and Presenting Data: Recognize, examine, and interpret the principles of describing and presenting data.

• Probability: Compute and interpret empirical and theoretical probabilities using probability rules and combinatorics.

• Role of Probability: Explain how probability underpins statistical inference.

• Sampling Distributions: Analyze and compare sampling distributions for discrete and continuous random variables.

• Confidence Intervals: Describe and compute confidence intervals for population parameters.

• Regression and Correlation: Solve problems involving linear regression and correlation.

• Hypothesis Testing: Perform hypothesis testing using statistical methods.

Texas Core Objectives

• Critical Thinking Skills: Develop creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis skills.

• Communication Skills: Express ideas effectively through written, oral, and visual communication.

• Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Manipulate and analyze numerical data to reach informed conclusions.

• Teamwork: Work effectively with others and consider different points of view.

• Personal Responsibility: Connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making.

• Social Responsibility: Engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities.

Course Schedule and Structure

Weekly Topics and Activities

The course is structured into weekly modules, each covering specific chapters and sections. Activities include watching instructional videos, completing homework, participating in quizzes, and engaging in discussion boards. Exams are scheduled throughout the semester to assess understanding.

Additional info: Students may complete assignments ahead of schedule and are encouraged to manage their time effectively, especially around holidays.

Grading and Assessment

Graded Work Breakdown

• Homework: 25% (MyLab Statistics)

• Class Activities: 5% (Integrity statement and four discussion boards)

• Quizzes: 10% (10 quizzes)

• Exams: 60% (3 exams, with Exam 3 as the final)

Grading Scale:

• A: 90-100

• B: 80-89

• C: 70-79

• D: 60-69

• F: below 60

Additional info: Students have two attempts for each quiz and exam; the higher score is recorded.

Course Policies and Support

Policies

• Contact the instructor if late for exams.

• Final Exam must be completed during the designated final exam week.

• Two attempts allowed for each quiz and exam; highest score counts.

Student Support Resources

• Success Coach: Personalized support for academic and career milestones.

• Free Tutoring: Available in-person and online for all students.

• Student Care Network: Access to counseling, child care, housing, emergency aid, food pantries, and more.

• Technical Support: Assistance with eCampus and college technology.

• Institutional Policies: Information on accommodations, class drop/repeat options, Title IX, and more.

Required Course Materials

• Textbook: "Statistics: Informed Decisions Using Data" (Pearson eText, 7th Edition, Sullivan)

• Access Code: Single Term MyLab Math Access Code

Summary of Key Statistics Topics

• Intro to Stats and Collecting Data

• Describing Data with Tables and Graphs

• Describing Data Numerically

• Probability

• Binomial Distribution & Discrete Random Variables

• Normal Distribution and Continuous Random Variables

• Sampling Distributions & Confidence Intervals: Mean

• Sampling Distributions & Confidence Intervals: Proportion

• Hypothesis Testing for One Sample

• Hypothesis Testing for Two Samples

• Correlation

• Regression

Additional info: The course schedule and learning outcomes align closely with the standard introductory statistics curriculum.