Course Syllabus

Spring 2024 | MAT-2021-VM01 - Statistics

In Person Class

Standard courses meet in person at CCV centers, typically once each week for the duration of the semester.

Faculty

Joe Casciari
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View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Julie Dalley

General Education Requirements

VSCS Mathematics

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

This course is an introduction to the basic ideas and techniques of probability and statistics. Topics may include numerical and graphical descriptive measures, probability, random variables, the normal distribution, sampling theory, estimation, hypothesis testing, correlation, and regression. The use of technology may be required. Students must take a math assessment for placement purposes prior to registration. Prerequisite: Math & Algebra for College or equivalent skills.

Essential Objectives

1. Outline the general development of statistical science and list a number of common applications of statistical methodology.
2. Distinguish between descriptive and inferential statistics.
3. Create and apply various techniques used to describe data, such as pie charts, bar graphs, frequency tables, and histograms.
4. Define three common measures of central tendency (mean, median, and mode), and demonstrate the ability to calculate each manually from a series of small data sets.
5. Describe common methods of measuring variability, including range, percentiles, variance, and standard deviation and calculate each from a series of small data sets.
6. Explain the Normal Probability Distribution, techniques of sampling, the Central Limit Theorem, and the concept of standard error, and compute probabilities associated with normally distributed samples.
7. Test hypotheses about the value of the mean assuming the normal distribution and large sample results.
8. Select and perform common statistical tests including one- and two-tailed tests.
9. Define linear regression and correlation and discuss their applications.
10. Interpret and evaluate the validity of statistical data and reports.
11. Demonstrate proficiency in understanding, interpreting, evaluating and applying quantitative data and information.
12. Apply mathematical reasoning to analyze social justice problems in a variety of different contexts and consider whether these approaches are just and equitable.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV IT Support page. https://support.ccv.edu/general/computer-recommendations/

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

*** This is a no cost textbook or resource class. ***

This course only uses free Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials. For details, see the Canvas Site for this class.

Methods

Quizzes:

Twelve short quizzes will be given, usually right after going over the previous week’s homework problems. Quizzes are designed to be ½ hour in length and cover the previous week's lecture.

Quizzes are open book and open notes. If you know ahead of time that you cannot complete a quiz on time, I can make arrangements with you to take the quiz in advance, as they cannot be made up.

Students can miss four quizzes or drop their four lowest quiz scores. The best eight quiz scores are used in computing each student’s grade.

Homework:

Homework problems are assigned at the end of each lecture (see Canvas site). Homework is optional, is not graded, and does not need to be turned it. It is strictly for student learning and practice. Solutions are posted on Canvas, homework problems are reviewed the beginning of class.

Report/Project

Sometime in the second half of the semester, students will be given a take-home statistics project to complete. It involves data analysis and can be done in groups of up to three students. Students may use computer programs (Microsoft Excel, for instance) if desired. Project is due April 25^th.

Midterm and Final Exams:

A midterm exam will be given partway through the semester, and a final exam covering the second half of the semester will be given on the last day of class (see syllabus). Each will be open book and open notes.

Evaluation Criteria

Grading

Quizzes = 40% Report = 10% Final = 25% Midterm = 25%

A+ through C- indicates satisfactory completion of course objectives and expectations as specified. D+ through D- indicates marginal performance that will not count as credit for specific program requirements or competence area requirements. F indicates failure to meet course objectives and/or to meet grading criteria for successful completion as described.

Non-Letter Grades

P Indicates satisfactory completion of course objectives (C- or better). NP Indicates failure to meet course objectives and/or failure to meet grading criteria for successful completion as described in the instructor's course description (D+ or less).

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade. Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting

Attendance is strongly encouraged. Weekly quizzes cannot be made up, but students may miss four quizzes without penalty. The instructor reserves the right to assign “border line” grades based on attendance and class participation.

Missing & Late Work Policy

Class Policies

Late work will not be accepted unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor. The project is due April 25^th. It will be accepted with a penalty between April 26^th and May 2^nd. All work must be turned in by the end of the day on May 2^nd

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity