Course Syllabus

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Normal Curve and The Empirical Rule

Course Description:

This course focuses on the use of probability techniques, hypothesis testing, and predictive techniques to facilitate decision-making. Topics include descriptive statistics; probability and sampling distributions; statistical inference; correlation and linear regression; analysis of variance, chi-square and t-tests; and application of technology for statistical analysis including the interpretation of the relevance of the statistical findings.  Applications using data from disciplines including business, social sciences, psychology, life science, health science, and education.

Student Learning Outcomes:

After completing Math 112, the student should be able to

  • Compute, identify, and interpret basic statistics and understand the distinction between a statistic and a parameter (measures of center, variation, and position)
  • Construct and interpret confidence interval for appropriate population parameters.
  • Determine the validity of a statement using hypothesis testing.
  • Use technology to calculate statistics, explore and analyze distributions, and/or simulate an experiment.

Course Content:

  • Summarizing data graphically and numerically;
  • Descriptive statistics:  measures of central tendency, variation, relative position, and levels/scales of measurement;
  • Sample spaces and probability;
  • Random variables and expected value;
  • Sampling and sampling distributions;
  • Discrete distributions – Binomial (optional);
  • Continuous distributions – Uniform and Normal;
  • The Central Limit Theorem;
  • Estimation and confidence intervals;
  • Hypothesis Testing and inference, including t-tests for one and two populations, and Chi-square test;
  • Correlation and linear regression and analysis of variance (ANOVA);
  • Applications using data from disciplines including business, social sciences, psychology, life science, health science, and education; and
  • Statistical analysis using technology such as EXCEL or graphing calculators.

Textbook:

Great news: your textbook for this class is available for free online!
Statistics from OpenStax, ISBN 1-947172-05-0

You have several options to obtain this book:

You can use whichever formats you want. Web view is recommended -- the responsive design works seamlessly on any device.

Calculator: You are require to have a TI 84 graphing calculator. This calculator have all the programs we are going to use in this class. If you choose to get a different calculator, I will do my best to help you do your work with it, but your calculator may not have all the programs we are going to need. If you prefer, you can rent a calculator from the Math Club at Cerritos College. The Math Club will renting TI 83 and 84 calculators for $40 this semester. I will have an official schedule for the next two weeks to you by tomorrow, but I know that they will be in MCIS 123 today until 2 pm and then tomorrow (Wednesday) from 9 – 11 am, 12 – 2:30 pm, and 4:30 – 5:30 pm. Bring your money and your ID. 

Student Hours:

I will be in my office, PST210, every Monday and Wednesday from 2:30 - 3:00 PM. 

You will notice that the label for these times is Student Hours, instead of office hours. I have done this to accentuate the point that this is your time. I have set aside these times to work with you, not to do work in my office like answer emails or grade papers. I will be available in my office during these times, and you do not need an appointment to see me during these times. Simply, come to my office, and I will be glad to help you. If these times do not work for you, please talk to me and most likely we will be able to come up with alternative times to meet, times that work well for you and me. I will do my best to help you succeed in this class.

Preferred Methods of Contact:

With your success in mind, it is crucial to keep an open line of communication.  Your options to contact me if you cannot meet with me in my office, are listed below in order of preference:

  1.  Via Canvas (Inbox): Anytime during the semester. 
  2. Via email to mlopez@cerritos.edu: Anytime during the semester. When you email me, please write "Math 112" in the subject line  and include your full name at the end of every email. 
  3. Via voicemail: 562-860-2451 Ext: 2622: Anytime during the semester. 

I will do my best to reply to your message within 24 hours. 

Note: It is good practice to set up an email account that you will use for your school/work that is different from the email you use in your personal/social media purposes. For your academic email address avoid silly names, such as "flirtyeyes97@gmail.com". You would be surprised at some of the email addresses I have seen at work over the years. Start developing a professional profile that is separate from your social profile.

Attendance:

In order for me to do my job well, I need you to attend every class this semester. I will do my best to make the class interesting and challenging, and I hope you will do your best to attend every class meeting. However, I am fully aware that life is complicated, and that sometimes, despite your best efforts, you may not be able to attend. Therefore, I will make the following commitment to you: I will not drop you from my class without first meeting with you to discuss your personal situation and the causes for your absences. That is, I will only drop you if doing so is either in your best interest or if I determine, after talking to you, that you are not interested in learning statistics. I am committed to your academic success!!

Leaving the Classroom During an Exam:

Once you start working on a test, you are expected to remain in the classroom until you finish your test. If you need to leave the classroom for any reason before you finish the test, your test will be collected, and you will not be able to work on it anymore. If you have a medical condition that makes it difficult for you to work for two hours without a break, you must make arrangements with me prior to the exam. We will discuss your options at that time.

Academic Honesty:

I expect to adhere to the Cerritos College Academic Honesty Policy. Read it here: https://www.cerritos.edu/academic-affairs/academic-honesty.htm. If you have any questions regarding this policy, please see me, and we will discuss it.

Appropriate Classroom Behavior: 

I need my classroom to be a safe and welcoming learning environment. To this end, I make a commitment to you to take all your questions seriously and to treat you always with dignity and respect. In return, I expect the same from you. So, when a person is addressing the class, the rest of the people in the room will listen respectfully. Because it is important to me that everyone’s contributions to the class be heard, I will not tolerate inappropriate behavior in this class. Students engaged in disruptive or disrespectful behavior will be asked to leave class for the day and to meet with me prior to the next class meeting. Examples of inappropriate behavior include (but are not limited to) disrupting class, talking to classmates while someone is addressing the class, making fun of a classmate, using your phone in class, sleeping, or doing work for another class.

Grading Policy: 

Your grade will be based on the following categories:

                                   

In Class Activities – 10%

We will do several activities in class. Sometimes we will complete the activities in class, and sometimes you will need to finish them at home. I will tell you when each activity needs to be turned in for a grade. I will drop your lowest in-class activity grade.

 

Homework – 10%

All homework will be submitted online through Canvas You must complete all work by its due date. I will not accept late work, unless you meet with me and demonstrate a legitimate reason for needing an extension.

 

Quizzes – 20%

6 online quizzes will be assigned on Canvas. You must complete each quiz by its due date. I will not accept late quizzes, unless you meet with me and demonstrate a legitimate reason for needing an extension.

             

Tests – 35%

Three tests will be given in class. I will not give makeup exams, unless you meet with me and demonstrate a legitimate reason for missing a test. I will replace your lowest test score with your score on your final exam, provided that doing so improves your grade. A zero earned by cheating will not be replaced.

 

Final Exam – 25%

The final exam will be comprehensive. You must take the final to pass the class.

Grading Scale:

Your grade will be based on your overall weighted average:

 

A: 90% – 100%    B: 80% – 89%   C: 70 – 79%   D: 60 – 69%   F: Below 60%.  NOTE: If you do not take the final exam, you will receive an F in the class.

Important Dates:

8/26/19: Last day to drop without a W

9/2/19: Labor Day - No Class

9/9/19: Test 1 - Chapters 1-4

9/24/19: Test 2 - Chapters 5-8

10/2/19: Last day to drop with a W

10/15/19: Test 3 - Chapters 9-12

10/17/19: Final Exam - 5:00 PM-6:50 PM - PST235

 

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due