Northwest-Shoals Community College

General Course Syllabus

 

 

TITLE OF COURSE: Elementary Statistics (MTH 265)

 

DIVISION: Mathematics, Science, & Technology

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course provides an introduction to methods of statistics, including  the following topics:  sampling, frequency distributions, measures of central tendency, graphic representation, reliability, hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, analysis, regression, estimation, and applications.  Probability, permutations, combinations, binomial theorem, random variables, and distributions may be included.

 

 

HOURS:

            Credit:  3                                            Contact:  3

Lecture:  3                                          Clinical:  0

Lab:  0     

 

PRE-REQUISITIE(S) MTH 100 or appropriate mathematics placement score.

 

CO-REQUISITIE(S): None

 

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS: Elementary Statistics: A Step by Step Approach; 5th Edition, Allan G. Bluman, McGraw-Hill, 2004.

 

SUPPLIES: Rectangular Graphing Paper and a Scientific Calculator are recommended.

 

GENERAL EDUCATION OBJECTIVE: All associate degree graduates should be able to use the mathematical concepts, notations, and manipulations needed in their field of study or occupation (3).

 

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon successfully completing Elementary Statistics, the student should be able to:

  1. Define descriptive and inferential statistics.
  2. Describe a random sample of data by constructing a frequency distribution chart and drawing a histogram.
  3. Describe a random sample of data by computing its means, variance, and standard deviation.
  4. Define probability and count the outcomes of certain experiences.
  5. Define permutations and combinations and count them.
  6. Compute probabilities for mutually exclusive events, non-mutually exclusive events, conditional probabilities, and independent events.
  7. Define probability distribution and compute its mean, variance, and standard deviation.
  8. Define the standard normal probability distribution.
  1. Compute means, variances, and standard deviations for normal and binomial distributions.
  2.  Approximate binomial probabilities by using the standard normal probability distribution. 
  3. Describe the reliability of data.
  4. Describe the development of a confidence interval.
  5. Describe the importance of hypothesis testing.
  6. Define analysis, regressions, and estimation and their interrelationships.

 

METHODS OF EVALUATION: 

 

  1. Course Grade Evaluation: (Minimum of 4 measurements)

A comprehensive final exam will be given and counted toward the student’s final average.  Make-up examinations, as such, will not generally be given. 

                        

  1. Evaluation of General Educational Objectives:  Student success on the General Educational Objective (3) is measured by student performance on each of the course objectives, which require use of mathematical concepts, notations, and manipulations.  Performance on each course objective will be evaluated using appropriate problems from the final exam.  Results will be tallied for each course objective.

 

  1. Use of Findings: Instructors will analyze data gathered from the assessment(s) for each course objective and changes will be made based on identified weaknesses.  The math department will meet once every five years to discuss findings and implement strategies to improve department and student performance.

 

OUTLINE OF COURSE TOPICS:

 

I.                    The Nature of Statistics

A.     Descriptive

B.     Inferential

II.                 The Description of Sample Data

A.     Frequency of Distributions

B.     Histograms

III.               Numerical Methods for Analyzing Data

A.     Summation Notation

B.     Measures of Central Tendency

1.       Means

2.       Medians and Modes

C.     Measures of Variation

1.       Range

2.       Variance and Standard Deviation

D.     Percentiles

E.      Standard Normal Values (z-scores)

IV.              Probability

A.     Definition

B.     Counting Possible Outcomes

C.     Tree Diagrams

D.     Permutations

E.      Combinations

F.      Mathematical Expectation and Odds

V.                 The  Rules of Probability

A.     Mutually Exclusive Events

B.     Non-Mutually Exclusive Events

C.     Conditional Probability

D.     Independent Events

            VI.       Some Probability Distributions and Their Properties

                                      A.            Definition of a Probability Distribution

                                      B.   Its Expected Value or  Mean

C.     Its variance and standard deviation

D.     The Binomial Distribution

VII.            The Normal Distribution

A.     The Standard Normal Distribution

B.     The General Normal Distribution

C.     The Standard Normal Distribution II

D.     Some Applications

E.      Approximating Binomial Distributions

VIII.            Confidence            Intervals and Sample Size

A.     The Confidence Interval

                                     B.  The Importance of Sample Size

X.                 Hypothesis Testing

A.     The Traditional Method

B.     The P-value method

C.     The Confidence interval Method

XI.               Analysis of Variance

A.     Regressions

B.     Estimation of parameters

 

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT POLICY: It is the policy of Northwest-Shoals Community College to comply with the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act. Any student covered under this act needing and desiring reasonable accommodations for this class should notify Linda Waide at 331-5321. See NWSCC catalog for additional details.

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY: Because class attendance is considered to be essential to the accomplishment of course objectives, excessive absences are discouraged.  At no time should a  student miss more than 20% of the class meetings for a course.  These absences also include any absences accrued during late registration.  Failure to adhere to the 20% policy may result in a failing grade based on academic performance.  Students should discuss with the instructor what is considered “excessive” for a particular course.  Any variation of this policy must be approved through the Chief Instructional Officer.  A student who is absent due to required participation in a school activity must be allowed to make up work, according to guidelines issued by individual instructors.

 

WITHDRAWAL POLICY:  A student who is unable to complete a course is expected to withdraw from that course by the end of 60% of class meetings.  A student who withdraws by the date published in the schedule will receive a grade of “W” for the course.  This withdrawal is done only by student request.  The grade of “W” is allowed regardless of the student’s grades to the point of withdrawal. 

 

After the designated date of class withdrawal, the approval of the Chief Instructional Officer is required prior to allowing a student to withdraw. The determination of “WP” (withdrawal

passing) or “WF” (withdrawal failing) will be made by the instructor for the course and is based on the student’s grades to the point of withdrawal.