Math/Stat 231
Elementary Probability and Statistical Inference
Course description: Calculation of simple probability in discrete and continuous variable cases. Descriptive statistics, measures of central tendency, binomial and normal distributions. Testing hypotheses using normal deviate and t-statistics. This course has been identified as a general education course.
Prerequisites: Math 113, or permission of department head.
Text: Elementary Statistics: A Step by Step Approach, by Bluman,6th edition, McGraw Hill.
Calculator: The Casio 9750G Plus will be used for classroom demonstrations. It is recommended that you check with the instructor before using a calculator other than the Casio 9750G Plus for this class. Some testing will be conducted without the use of the calculator.
For details about your instructor's contact information, office hours, and policies, go to www.faculty.mcneese.edu and access your instructor's website.
Math/Stat 231 has been designated as a Writing-Enriched Course. 20% of the course grade will be based on demonstration of writing competency.
General Education Competency
The General Education Competency assessed in this course: To understand numerical data and statistics
Student Learning Outcomes
The student will be able to:
- collect, organize, and interpret numerical data in various forms;
- demonstrate computational skills necessary for problem solving and mathematical modeling;
- create, interpret, and revise models to solve problems;
- demonstrate knowledge and skills specific to course content as outlined in the objectives listed below.
Objectives
The student will be able to
- learn and understand the terminology associated with statistics;
- distinguish between descriptive and inferential statistics;
- calculate simple probability in both discrete and continuous variable cases;
- compute measures of central tendency and of variability in sample data;
- understand simple linear regression and be able to demonstrate knowledge of properties and applications;
- explore the binomial and normal probability distributions;
- understand point and interval estimation of parameters;
- perform hypothesis tests about the population mean;
- use technology as a means of calculating descriptive statistics, displaying graphical information and solving problems in estimation and hypothesis testing.
Course material
Course material will include the following topics:
| Topic | Chpt. | Sections |
|---|---|---|
| Nature of probability and statistics | Ch. 1 | all |
| Frequency distributions and graphs | Ch. 2 | all |
| Data description | Ch. 3 | all |
| Probability | Ch. 4 | all |
| Discrete probability distributions | Ch. 5 | 1–4 |
| (5 optional) | ||
| The normal distribution | Ch. 6 | all |
| Confidence intervals and sample size | Ch. 7 | 1–3 |
| (4 optional) | ||
| Hypothesis testing | Ch. 8 | 1–4 |
| (5 optional) | ||
| Correlation and regression | Ch. 10 | 1–4 |
Assessment
The Semester score for the course will be calculated by using the weights (%) indicated below:
| Weight (%) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 75% | Semester average | Tests | ______ % |
| Assignments | ______ % | ||
| _________ | ______ % | ||
| 25% | Final exam grade |
The Semester letter grade in the course will be assigned according to the scale below:
| Semester grade | Semester score |
|---|---|
| 90–100 | A |
| 80–89 | B |
| 70–79 | C |
| 60–69 | D |
| 0–59 | F |
Notes:
- In cases of an excused absence, the instructor reserves the right to reweight the final exam in lieu of a make-up test.
- In the case where a student's score on his final exam indicates exceptional achievement above and beyond that indicated by the semester average, the instructor reserves the right to reweight the value of the final exam in computing the semester grade.
Please read the Department's Attendance Policy.
Instructor's office hours
can be found on the MSU web site at
http://www.faculty.mcneese.edu
Click on individual instructor to view their web page.
Or navigate from MSU Home Page; select Faculty & Staff, select Faculty Web Server.
Students should visit the MSU web page at
http://www.mcneese.edu/policy/diversity.htm
for information about diversity awareness and sexual harassment policies and
procedures, as well as the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Students should also visit the MSU web page at
http://www.mcneese.edu/integrity
for information on the Academic Integrity Policy.
ANY STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY IS ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT THE OFFICE OF SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES IN DREW HALL, ROOM 200, VOICE (337) 475-5916, HEARING IMPAIRED (337) 475-5722. IT IS EACH STUDENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO REGISTER WITH THE OFFICE OF SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES WHEN REQUESTING A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION.
One week of summer school is equivalent to 2 ½ weeks of Fall or Spring classes
DMCS
Location:
Kirkman Hall, Beauregard Drive
Mail:
Box 92340, MSU, Lake Charles, LA 70609
Phone:
(337) 475–5788,
Fax:
(337) 475–5799
e-Mail:
sbradley@mcneese.edu
