Bucks County Community College

Department of Mathematics, Science & Technology

Basic Course Information Fall 2009

Math115 Elementary Statistics

Instructor: Dr. Elaine Fitt

Email: fitte@bucks.edu

Phone: 215-968-8260

Office: F123

Office Hours: MWF 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. or any mutually convenient time

Text: Math 115 Elementary Statistics Custom edition based on Elementary Statistics, 4th Edition. Larson and Farber with the access code for Course Compass

Course Compass ID:

DL: Math 115.E59 fitt49189

10 a.m. Math 115.N02 fitt98709

Be sure to register in the correct section.

I. Course Objectives:

This basic statistics course is designed for business, liberal arts, psychology, pre-allied health, computer science and science majors. The prerequisite for this course is a placement score at level 7 or Intermediate Algebra (Math 103) with a C or better or Mathematical Concepts I (Math 101) with a C or better. This course will introduce the student to the basic concepts of descriptive statistics, probability and the methods of statistical inference. Topics studied include descriptive measures for empirical data, theory of probability, probability distributions, sampling distributions of statistics from large and small samples, estimation theory, hypothesis testing, correlation and regression. A detailed assignment sheet will be distributed.
It is expected that students will demonstrate both an understanding of the theoretical concepts and the application of these concepts to a variety of applied problems.

II. Official Course Syllabus

· A copy of the official course syllabus can be found at the following URL: http://www.bucks.edu/syllabus.php?lookup=MATH115

A. Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities:

a. Descriptive Statistics

i. Sampling techniques

ii. Graphical displays (Histograms, Stem and Leaf displays, Box and Whisker plots and Frequency Polygons)

iii. Measures of Central Tendency

iv. Measures of Variation

v. Measures of Position

b. Probability

i. Rules of probability

ii. Discrete and Continuous probability distributions, including Binomial, Normal, Chi-Square, and t-distribution

iii. Central Limit Theorem

c. Inferential Statistics

i. Sample size

ii. Confidence intervals

iii. Hypothesis testing (one and two samples)

iv. Chi-Square (test of independence and goodness of fit)

d. Regression and Correlation

i. Scatter plots

ii. Least Squares regression equation

iii. Correlation coefficient

III. Testing and Grading Procedures:

Five tests will be given at the points in the course indicated on the assignment sheet. All tests are online and must be taken at the testing center on campus or other proctored location.

These tests will comprise 50% of your grade. Before each test, try the practice test on CourseCompass so you will know what to expect.

In addition there will be 9 online chapter quizzes. These quizzes will comprise 20% of your grade.

Online homework problems for each assigned section. The 30 homework assignments will comprise 30% of your grade.

D. A two-page paper on a statistical topic of your choosing is due the last day of class for the semester. Details on this assignment can be found in Course Compass under Chapter Contents..

Grades will be calculated as follows:

A 90-100 C 70-76

B+ 87-89 D+ 67-69

B 80-86 D 60-66

C+ 77-79 F 0-59

E. Students have the right to review and the responsibility to retain a copy of their own work and/or correspondence, including that posted to a web course space. Students are urged to retain all graded work until final grades have been received from the college. Student access to a BCCC web course space is available only during the stated semester/session as indicated by the College’s academic calendar. All web course sites including content are routinely removed from the server at the conclusion of each semester/session.

Please refer to the college catalog for the policy on cheating and plagiarism. The college policy will be strictly enforced.

V. Study Requirements

This is a 3-credit course. Class attendance is required. Excessive absences can adversely affect your grade. Expect to spend at least two hours of study for each class hour. Study time should be spent

a) Going over notes from previous class. Taking careful notes is important. Write down concepts or problems that you do not understand during class.

b) Doing assigned problems. The best way to learn mathematics is to do problems. Suggestion - put an * next to problems which give you trouble and ask about them during the next class or post them to the discussion board in CourseCompass. Additional practice problems are available through CourseCompass quizzes and homework in each section.

VI. Distance Learning Procedures

1. For DL students, go through the orientation provided on my web page at www.bucks.edu/~fitte. All procedures for accessing CourseCompass will be covered in detail. You will learn how to access the materials needed to succeed.

2. Communication is an essential ingredient for success in this course. Please check in with me at least once a week using email. Please be sure to include your name, class and section in the subject line.

3. Tutoring free of charge is available in the Tutoring Center located in Library 121.

4. There is a great deal of flexibility with distance learning mode of learning, but it requires a great deal of motivation on the part of the student. Tests can be scheduled at times that are convenient to you, day or evening. However, so that you do not fall behind, it is important to keep as closely to the posted deadlines as possible.

VI. Withdrawal:

If you should find it necessary to withdraw College Policy states that: "Withdrawal during the first 10 weeks carries a W grade." Consult the College catalog for withdraw dates specific to the semester in which you are enrolled. Course withdraw for the Fall 2009 semester ends on Tuesday, November 3, 2009.
Class attendance is a requirement for success in any mathematics class. If you are unable to attend a session due to an emergency or illness, please inform me beforehand, if possible. Classes will begin promptly and roll will be taken at the beginning of each class.
If you stop attending class, OR do not complete the course requirements, and don’t withdraw you will receive an F. I will NOT withdraw you from the course.

VII. Disability Accommodations

In compliance with the Bucks County Community College policy and equal access laws, appropriate academic accommodations can be made for students eligible for such support. Students are encouraged to register with the Disability Services Office (215 968 8463) to verify their eligibility for appropriate accommodations. Please make any requests for academic a accommodations or other concerns as early in the semester as possible.

IVIII. Required Text: Math 115, Elementary Statistics, Custom Edition based on Elementary Statistics, Picturing the World 4e by Larson and Farber. Be sure to buy the text that is packaged free with a CourseCompass access code.

Required calculator: TI-83. TI 83+, TI84, TI84+ or similar.

CourseCompass provides many tools that are designed to help you in the study of statistics. You can download the Power Point presentations, access the student study guide, learn how to use your calculator and take practice quizzes.

Phone Number: Fax Number:

Dr. Fitt 215 968 8260 215 491 5426

Mathematics Office 215 968 8305 215 968 8294

Distance Learning Office 215 968 8052 215 968 8148

Testing Center 215 504 8594

Tutoring Center 215 968 8307

Registration 215 968 8100