STA 2023 - Intro to Statistics (University of Florida) Syllabus and Course Overview

Course Overview

STA 2023 - Intro to Statistics is an introductory statistics course at the University of Florida, designed for students with no prior background in statistics but with some knowledge of high school algebra. The course emphasizes understanding the principles of data collection, analysis, and statistical inference, focusing on real-world applications rather than theoretical derivations.

Course Structure and Main Topics

• Data Exploration: Graphical and numerical summaries to describe distributions and relationships between variables (Chapters 1-3).

• Data Production: Designing surveys and experiments, collecting representative samples, and avoiding bias (Chapter 4).

• Probability and Inference: Probability concepts, random variables, sampling distributions, confidence intervals, and significance tests (Chapters 5-10).

Weekly Topic Breakdown

Weeks	Topics Covered
1-2	Exploring Data with Graphs; Measures of Center, Spread, and Position
2-4	Exploring Relationships Between Two Variables; Simple Linear Regression; Exam 1
4-6	Experimental and Survey Design; Probability Rules
7-8	Binomial and Normal Distributions; Exam 2
9-10	Sampling Distributions of the Sample Proportion and Sample Mean
10-11	Confidence Interval for the Population Proportion and Population Mean
12-13	Exam 3; Significance Test for the Population Proportion; Significance Test for the Population Mean
13-15	Comparing Two Independent Proportions and Means; Compare Means from Dependent Samples; Exam 4

Assessment and Grading

• Exams (4): 40% (10% each)

• Labs (Data Analysis Assignments): 35%

• Canvas Quizzes: 15%

• Class Attendance and Participation: 10%

Letter Grade Distribution

Percentage	Grade
90% − 100%	A
88% − 89.99%	A−
84% − 87.99%	B+
79% − 83.99%	B
77% − 78.99%	B−
74% − 76.99%	C+
66% − 73.99%	C
60% − 65.99%	D
Below 60%	E

Course Materials

• Lecture Notes: Available on Canvas; required for following lectures and filling in blanks.

• Recommended Textbook: Statistics: The Art and Science of Learning from Data, 5th Edition by Alan Agresti and Christine Franklin.

• Scientific Calculator: Must have basic statistical functions (mean, standard deviation); graphing calculators not allowed during exams.

• Lab Fee: $1.74 charged during registration for lab materials.

General Education Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes

• Content: Mastery of statistical terminology, concepts, and methods, including data description, survey/experiment design, probability, and inference.

• Communication: Ability to clearly communicate statistical ideas and reasoning in written and oral forms.

• Critical Thinking: Analyze and critique real-world data, surveys, and experiments; conduct and interpret significance tests.

Course Policies and Support

• Attendance: Required for all classes and labs; participation is graded.

• Makeup Policy: Contact instructor before or immediately after missing assignments; valid documentation required.

• Academic Honesty: Adherence to the UF Honor Code is mandatory.

• Disability Accommodations: Arranged through the Disability Resources Program.

• Support Services: Includes tutoring labs, office hours, and online resources.

Key Statistical Concepts Covered

• Descriptive Statistics: Measures of center (mean, median), spread (standard deviation, IQR), and position (percentiles).

• Graphical Summaries: Histograms, boxplots, scatterplots.

• Relationships Between Variables: Correlation, regression analysis.

• Data Collection: Sampling methods, survey and experimental design, avoiding bias.

• Probability: Basic rules, binomial and normal distributions.

• Sampling Distributions: Distribution of sample means and proportions.

• Statistical Inference: Confidence intervals, significance tests for one and two groups.

Example: Confidence Interval Formula

The confidence interval for a population mean (when population standard deviation is known) is given by:

$\bar{x} \pm z^* \frac{\sigma}{\sqrt{n}}$

where $\bar{x}$ is the sample mean, $z^*$ is the critical value from the standard normal distribution, $\sigma$ is the population standard deviation, and $n$ is the sample size.

Contact and Support

• Instructor: Yeison Quiceno ([e-mail])

• Teaching Assistant: Xavier Mak ([e-mail])

• Office Hours: Available via Zoom or in person (see syllabus for details).

• Additional Help: Tutoring labs, private tutors, and online forums such as Cross Validated.

For more details, refer to the full syllabus and course website.