Course Syllabus
Applied Statistics with R freely accessible online.
Probability, Statistics, and Data: A fresh approach using R freely accessible online.
Study of the computational aspects of statistics; hypothesis testing, goodness of fit; nonparametric tests; linear and quadratic regression, correlation and analysis of variance. Not open to students who have credit for or are enrolled in an equivalent statistics course.
It is recommended that students enrolled in MATH 204 be comfortable in carrying out addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of decimal and fraction numbers.
The goals for this course are for students to:
| After taking this course, the student should be able to: | Methods of assessment |
|---|---|
| Work with data: identify variables as categorical, discrete, or continuous; describe basic techniques of data collection and sampling; explain and interpret basic numerical and graphical data summaries. | Concept quizzes, homework, labs, and exams. |
| Work with probability distributions and random variables at an introductory level. | Concept quizzes, homework, labs, and exams. |
| Explain the concept of sampling distribution. | Concept quizzes, homework, labs, and exams. |
| Conduct and interpret basic statistical inferences. | Concept quizzes, homework, labs, and exams. |
The student learning objectives of this course are linked with the Mathematics Program Learning Outcome
As a course with a general education (GE) quantitative reasoning designation (Q), the student learning objectives of this course are linked with the following GE goals and objectives:
It is important that you attend class regularly. If you must miss class for any reason notify the instructor as soon as possible to make arrangements to quickly make up any content missed by absence.
The course grade will be based on concept quizzes (10%), homework (15%), R lab assignments (15%), three mid-term exams (45% overall, weighted so that your best exam is counted for 20%, your second best exam is counted for 15%, and your third best is counted for 10%), and a final exam (15%).
Letter grades will be assigned based on the following scale:
| Grade Range | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 94-100 | A |
| 90-93 | A- |
| 87-89 | B+ |
| 83-86 | B |
| 80-82 | B- |
| 76-79 | C+ |
| 72-75 | C |
| 69-71 | C- |
| 65-68 | D+ |
| 60-64 | D |
| <60 | F |
In this course students will be asked to complete a number of concept quizzes. Concept quizzes are meant to be a quick check that you are following the lectures and textbook readings. These quizzes will be timed and administered via the course learning management system, and the concept quizzes will be given roughly once or twice a week.
Homework will be assigned weekly through the course learning management system.
Exams, labs, and quizzes will build on practice problems so it is essential to complete homework practice problems in preparing for exams, labs, and quizzes.
Do not underestimate the value (and joy) of carefully working through homework problems.
The bi-weekly lab assignments for this course are meant to assess your developing skills in working with data and conducting analyses using R. Some labs will be in-class while others may be assigned to be completed outside of the classroom. All labs will be done with RStudio cloud using templates set up by the instructor and accessed via a shared link.
The three in-class exams and final exam are meant to assess 1) students’ understanding of the material covered in class and in assignments, 2) students’ understanding of the core concepts, 3) students’ problem solving abilities, and 4) students’ ability to think independently. You may use a non-progammable scientific calculator on exams.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Classes begin | Monday, August 29 |
| Holiday, no classes | Monday, September 5 |
| Exam 1 | Wednesday, September 28 |
| Last day of class before fall break | Friday, October 7 |
| Classes resume after fall break | Wednesday, October 12 |
| Semester Midpoint | Wednesday, October 19 |
| Exam 2 | Wednesday, October 26 |
| Last day to withdraw with W grade | Friday, November 11 |
| Last day of class before holiday break | Tuesday, November 22 |
| Classes resume after holiday | Monday, November 28 |
| Exam 3 | Wednesday, November 30 |
| Last day of class | Monday, December 12 |
| Final exams begin | Tuesday, December 13 |
| Final exams end | Saturday, December 17 |
In order to attend a professional research workshop that I serve as an organizer for, I will be traveling September 15 - 18. As a result, I will miss class on Friday, September 16. Prior to this date, I will provide detailed information regarding how my absence will be handled with respect to making sure that there is no negative impact on student learning or the coverage of course content.
Reasonable academic accommodations may be provided to students who submit relevant and current documentation of their disability. Students are encouraged to contact the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE) at disabilityservices@scranton.edu or (570) 941-4038 if they have or think they may have a disability and wish to determine eligibility for any accommodations. For more information, please visit http://www.scranton.edu/disabilities.
The Writing Center focuses on helping students become better writers. Consultants will work one-on-one with students to discuss students’ work and provide feedback at any stage of the writing process. Scheduling appointments early in the writing progress is encouraged.
To meet with a writing consultant, call (570) 941-6147 to schedule an appointment, or send an email with your available meeting times, the course for which you need assistance, and your phone number to: writing-center@scranton.edu. The Writing Center does offer online appointments for our distance learning students.
Each student is expected to do their own work. It is also expected that each student respect and abide by the Academic Code of Honesty as set forth in the University of Scranton student handbook. Conduct that violates the Academic Code of Honesty includes plagiarism, duplicate submission of the same work, collusion, providing false information, unauthorized use of computers, theft and destruction of property, and unauthorized possession of tests and other materials. Steps taken in response to suspected violations may include a discussion with the instructor, an informal meeting with the dean of the college, and a hearing before the Academic Dishonesty Hearing Board. Students who are found to have violated the Code will ordinarily be assigned the grade F by the instructor and may face other sanctions. The complete Academic Code of Honesty is located on the University website at https://www.scranton.edu/academics/wml/acad-integ/acad-code-honesty.shtml.
As a faculty member, I am deeply invested in the well-being of each student I teach. I am here to assist you with your work in this course. Additionally, if you come to me with other non-course-related concerns, I will do my best to help. It is important for you to know that all faculty members are required to report incidents of sexual harassment or sexual misconduct involving students. This means that I cannot keep information about sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, intimate partner violence or stalking confidential if you share that information with me. I will keep the information as private as I can but am required to bring it to the attention of the University’s Title IX Coordinator, Elizabeth M. Garcia, or Deputy Title IX Coordinator, Diana M. Collins, who, in conversation with you, will explain available support, resources, and options. I will not report anything to anybody without first letting you know and discussing choices as to how to proceed. The University’s Counseling Center (570-941-7620) is available to you as a confidential resource; counselors (in the counseling center) do not have an obligation to report to the Title IX Coordinator.
The University is committed to providing an educational, residential, and working environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Members of the University community, applicants for employment or admissions, guests, and visitors have the right to be free from harassment or discrimination based on race, color, religion, ancestry, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, national origin, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.
Students who believe they have been subject to harassment or discrimination based on any of the above class of characteristics, or experience sexual harassment, sexual misconduct or gender discrimination should contact Elizabeth M. Garcia, Title IX Coordinator, (570) 941-6645 elizabeth.garcia2@scranton.edu, Deputy Title IX Coordinators Diana M. Collins (570) 941-6645 diana.collins@scranton.edu, or Ms. Lauren Rivera, AVP for Student Life and Dean of Students, at (570)941-7680 lauren.rivera@scranton.edu. The United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces Title IX. Information regarding OCR may be found at <www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html>
The University of Scranton Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy can be found online at https://www.scranton.edu/diversity. All reporting options and resources are available at https://www.scranton.edu/CARE.
It is easy to make assumptions about an individuals pronouns, but we try not to! Please tell us in class or via a private email if you would like to let us know what your pronouns are, if/when you would like us (and others) to use them, and certainly feel free to correct us or others if we make a mistake. Using the pronouns that a person has indicated they prefer is considered both professional and polite, and as such we ask that all members of our class use the appropriate pronouns.
If you have questions about this, please feel free to look up more information here (https://www.mypronouns.org/) or email jason.graham@scranton.edu with any questions.
Many students experience mental health challenges at some point in college. Struggles vary and might be related to academics, anxiety, depression, relationships, grief/loss, substance abuse, and other challenges. There are resources to help you and getting help is the smart and courageous thing to do.
Counseling Center (6th Floor O’Hara Hall; 570-941-7620) – Free, confidential individual and group counseling is available on campus.
Teletherapy – For students who wish to access therapy via video, phone, and/or chat, the University offers a teletherapy resource. Please contact the Counseling Center (570-941-7620) to inquire about teletherapy.
Mental Health Screenings – Confidential, online “check up from your neck up” to help you determine if you should connect with a mental health professional.
Dean of Students Office (201 DeNaples Center; 570-941-7680) – Private support and guidance for students navigating personal challenges that may impact success at the University
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The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus; students will immediately be notified of any such changes and an updated syllabus will be made available to the class via the course learning management system.
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