ST 101 - NCSU Statistics

Instructor: Dr. McGowan
Email: hmmcgowa@ncsu.edu
Office: 5262 SAS
Office hours: Tu/Th 3-4pm &
by appointment
Course website: http://moodle.wolfware.ncsu.edu/
ST101: Statistics by Example, Spring 2012
Section 001—Tu/Th 1:30-2:45pm, 210 Park Shops
Teaching assistant: Michele Meisner
Email: mmeisne@ncsu.edu
Office: 1101 SAS
Office hours:
Text: (Optional) Moore, D. S. & Notz, W. I. (2009). Statistics, Concepts and Controversies, 7 th Edition.
Additional readings, available in the University library, may be assigned by the instructor.
Course description:
Sampling, experimental design, tables and graphs, relationships among variables, probability, estimation,
hypothesis testing. Real life examples from the social, physical and life sciences, the humanities and sports. Credit
not allowed if student has prior credit for another ST course.
Course objectives:
ST101 is NOT a math course. The central theme of the course is to help you learn to understand the world from
data. Specifically, the course will enable you to:
i) incorporate statistical thinking into your everyday lives;
ii) acquire the necessary data-gathering, data-analysis, and interpretation/communication expertise to
meet the challenges of a more demanding cognitive global environment.
"Beyond the formula" skills are emphasized. This course will require you to: think critically, be skeptical, think
about variation (rather than just about the center), move beyond a "memorize the answer" approach, and think
about conditional probabilities and rare events (humans just don't do the latter very well). Some mathematical
skill is required to work with elementary statistics, but mathematical manipulations will be replaced by relying on
technology for the calculations and graphics. This course requires more intellectual effort than the low
mathematical level suggests! It is related to every other course you may study. The course is elementary in
mathematical level but conceptually rich in statistical ideas and serious in its aim to improve your data-analytic
skills and your ability to apply statistical methods with understanding.
Course content:
� Data collection: sampling, surveys and experiments
� Data summaries: numeric and graphical summaries
� Correlation and regression
� Chance models and probability
� Introduction to the logic and basic ideas of statistical inference
Attendance and communication:
This course is taught in a student centered manner. Students are required to attend all regularly scheduled
meetings of the course. Attendance will be recorded each class meeting through competition of in-class activities
(see below). Students who have a legitimate reason to miss a class meeting should contact the instructor prior to
that absence. Furthermore, students are expected to check their university email regularly to receive course
announcements.

Grades:
It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of their grades in the course and the appropriate level of work
required. Your final grade in this course will depend on the following
In-class activities 100 points
Homework 100 points
2 Midterms 100 points each
Final Exam 200 points
Total 600 points
Grades will be determined by calculating the student’s percentage out of the available points and comparing with
predetermined cutoff points as follows: A+: 98%, A: 92%, A-: 90%, B+: 88%, B: 82%, B-:80%, C+: 78%,
C: 72%, C-:70%, D+: 68%, D: 62%, D-: 60%. Percentage cutoffs are firm and no rounding occurs. Incomplete
(IN) grades are given only as specified in university regulations.
In-class Activities: Each class period, students will complete activities and exercises that illustrate course content.
Select activities will be collected and graded on content and presentation. No late activities will be accepted.
Homework: Homework will be due every Tuesday, starting on January 24. Assignments will be posted on
Moodle one week before they are due, and submitted via the website.
� The lowest two homework scores will be dropped.
� No late homework will be accepted.
Exams: The midterms are tentatively scheduled for February 16 and April 12 during regular class time. The
cumulative final exam will be held on Tuesday, May 8 from 1-4pm.
� All exams will be closed book. Students are allowed one 8½ by 11 inch sheet of notes (both sides, any
content).
� Students should bring a calculator. Students may NOT share calculators during exams.
� All cell phones, PDAs and any web-enabled devices must be turned off and put away during exams; these
devices can NOT be used as calculators or time keeping devices.
� Students may NOT leave the room and return for any reason during exams.
� Any conflicts with the scheduled exam dates must be submitted in writing to the instructor well in advance.
If advanced notice cannot be provided, it must be given as soon as possible after the exam. In all cases,
suitable documentation (such as a physicians note) must be provided in order for a student to take a makeup
exam. Students who have a personal emergency (extreme family illness or death, etc) should contact the
Division of Undergraduate Academic Programs (Park Shops, 515-3037) to obtain documentation.
Policy on academic integrity:
Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. To create a fair and equitable
environment the instructor aggressively enforces the universities policies on academic misconduct. All cases of
academic misconduct will be handled as set out in university policies. For additional information see
http://www.ncsu.edu/policies/student_services/student_conduct/POL445.00.1.htm.
Students with disabilities:
Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with verifiable disabilities. Any student who feels they
may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss
your specific needs. In order to take advantage of available accommodations, students must register with
Disability Services for Students at 1900 Student Health Center, Campus Box 7509, 515-7653.
http://www.ncsu.edu/provost/offices/affirm_action/dss/. For more information on NC State's policy on working
with students with disabilities, please see
http://www.ncsu.edu/policies/academic_affairs/pols_regs/REG205.00.28.php.