Course Syllabus - Summer 13
SUMMER 2013
Instructor: Mary Martin
Office: LRC 160
Office Hours: (Summer 2013) by email -or- by appointment
Office Phone: 691-7217 (voice mail anytime)
email: martinms@crc.losrios.edu
Online homework website: www.mymathlab.com
Prerequisite: You should feel comfortable using the skills learned in a previous intermediate algebra course or you will have difficulty in this course. The official prerequisite is a grade of "C" or better in a college course in Intermediate Algebra, or higher, or eligibility as determined by the assessment process. New district-wide Prerequisite Verification for STAT 300. Students must show evidence of the course prerequisite BEFORE she/he can register for the course. Students who are in the prerequisite course at the time of registration will be dropped if the prerequisite course is not successfully passed with a C or better. Students from outside of Los Rios should see a counselor for prerequisite verification PRIOR to registering for the course.
MATERIALS NEEDED :
• REQUIRED ONLINE ACCESS CODE: You must purchase access to online course materials in one of the following two ways:
• If you are satisfied with accessing the e-book of the course text, you can buy the access code only from the CRC bookstore or online(with a valid credit card) at www.mymathlab.com .
• OR... Buy the Package Deal: printed textbook plus access code. Printed Text:Fundamentals of Statistics, 3rd ed. by Michael Sullivan, III.
FOR SHORT TURN AROUND: If you have less than 2-weeks before the start of the semester, DO NOT ORDER THE TEXTBOOK ONLINE AND HAVE IT MAILED TO YOU. The mailing delay will undermine the start-up timeline for the course and set you up for failure from the start. If you cannot visit the bookstore in person, I suggest buying the online access code from the course compass website and using the ebook instead of a printed text. DO NOT BUY A USED COPY OF THE TEXT for more than $50 because you will have to add the $80-$86 for the access code--which will make it cheaper to buy the book new as a Package Deal. (If cost of textbook is an issue, consider buying the access code only and using the online e-book)
• OTHER PRINTED MATERIAL: Lecture Notes Packet: by Mary Martin Available for purchase at CRC bookstore, or download and print each chapter notes packet yourself (they are all posted on our website). I don't get any money from this, I just made it available because I thought it would be easier for my students. Purchasing the bookstore's packet of Lecture Notes means you don't have to use your own paper or ink to print, the pages are printed back to back to save space and paper, and the packet includes the Stat tables and "How To" instructions for your calculator commands in each chapter.
• REQUIRED STATISTICAL GRAPHING CALCULATOR: TI-Graphing Calculator (with built-in Statistics menu): TI-83, 83-plus, TI-84 or 84-plus (Note: The TI-89 also has the built-in Stat functions)
My philosophy for this course is to teach you the concepts and mechanics behind the probability and statistical formulas. However, once you understand what the formula does and what it is used for, my course relies on the TI statistical calculator to speed up the computation process, by letting the calculator do the 'nitty-gritty' of messy formulas. Instead, my course emphasizes what the results tell you beyond just how to compute them. (I also make sure you know how to use the calculator by providing step by step handouts and in-class examples that demonstrate how to that take advantage of the built-in commands this calculator provides)
Therefore, it is an essential element of the course and a COURSE REQUIRMENT (printed in the schedule before you registered) for each student to have one of the TI statistical calculators: TI-83, TI-83plus, TI-84 or TI-84plus. (TI-89 also has Stat menu)
TO REGISTER YOUR ACCESS CODE & GET STARTED:
- Go to: http:// www.mymathlab.com
- Select Students "REGISTER" (For Registration help: Open "Take a Tour!")
- Connecting to our Course: SUMMER 2013 CourseID: martin89184
- Note: The course website will be undergoing updates between the end of one term and the beginning of the next term.
- Once you have successfully entered our course website: Open Course Orientation Checklist & Verification -and complete Tasks 1-5.
Online Homework: Most of the homework will be completed online by accessing our course website at www.mymathlab.com Computers are available on campus in the Math Center, LRC 205 and the Computer Lab, LRC 204. Below are the System Requirements for students working at home:
Operating system : Windows® 2000, XP, or Vista. Windows 7-or- Macintosh® OS X, 10.4 or 10.5
Connections and browsers : MyMathLab requires an Internet connection with a minimum connection speed of 28.8 kbps (kilobits per second) and either of the following Internet browsers. To check your browser version, click About from the Help menu. · Microsoft® Internet Explorer, Netscape® Navigator, Firefox
AOL users : You cannot view Course Compass using the AOL browser. You can, however, use AOL as your Internet Service Provider to access the Internet, then open either the Internet Explorer or Netscape Communicator/Navigator browser within AOL to access MyMathLab.
Browser settings: cookies and Javascript options MyMathLab uses both cookies and JavaScript technology. Both of these features must be turned on in your browser, and are usually turned on by default. See your browser Help for instructions on how to view or change these browser options.
Online Start-Up: It is important to get up and running with the homework before our FIRST DAY of class--complete the registration and browser check at www.mymathlab as soon as possible.
Course Compass Technical Support Contact Information :
COURSE COMPASS TECHNICAL SUPPORT: Call 1-800-677-6337. Staff is available to troubleshoot your technical problems during the following hours: Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern (5 AM - 5PM Pacific time)
Pearson Education supports our course website and interactive materials with a 24/7 Customer Support Website (http://247pearsoned.custhelp.com ) where you can send an email or CHAT LIVE with a Technical Support representative anytime:
* Monday through Saturday, 12 AM to 11:59 PM Eastern (24 hours)
* Sunday, 24 hours, except 4AM - 6AM Eastern. (1 AM- 3AM our time)
COURSE OBJECTIVES/STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
• The ability to accurately do statistical calculations and perform statistical analyses of data.
• The ability to use current technology (computers & calculators) to analyze data.
• An appreciation for the uses of statistics and an awareness of its limitations.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
In this course you will learn to analyze real data: organize and display the data, perform necessary statistical analysis using graphing calculator capabilities, report results, draw conclusions, and make decisions. The goal of the course is to provide an understanding of the use of statistics in decision making and an awareness of its limitations.
The course covers descriptive statistics, probability, random variables and probability distributions, estimation of parameters, hypothesis testing, linear correlation and regression, analysis of variance. Credit: 4 units, transferable.
COURSE STRUCTURE:
Classwork for Stat 300 Students: The required classwork includes: (1) Completing the Chapter notes packets using the corresponding lecture powerpoints (or by watching the video lectures), reading the textbook sections as needed, (2) completing the online homework, and (3) completing the Chapter-End pencil & paper assignments. Students will also need time in exam weeks for reviewing and studying for exams.
All students can expect to spend (on average) two hours at home for each hour spent in class: 4 hours of lecture, 8 hours homework for a 4-unit course--12 hours weekly for completing course lessons Notes Packets plus online and written homework.
Fall and Spring Online students should expect the same time commitment as traditional on-campus class: approximately 3 assignments each week: 1-1.5 hours to complete the notes,
1-2.5 hours to do the homework for each section--approximately 12 hours weekly.
Summer Online students: In the condensed 6-wk summer course you are working at just under three times the normal pace: so you should expect approx. 8 assignments per week (30-36 hours per week).
Online students can be flexible with the schedule of WHEN the homework happens during each week, but you MUST have the self-discipline to make sure it DOES happen each week!
Homework Due Dates: : The Weekly Homework Schedule - is REQUIRED for the on-campus class and for the online classes.
Online Homework Due Dates: Homework Due Dates are provided in the Weekly Homework Schedule. (A famous pitfall of online courses happens when course structures allow a student to fall so far behind they have to "cram" several chapters worth of material into the three or four days before an exam. This is never successful. For best success, keep up with the Weekly Homework Schedule as much as possible.)
• Homework Credit for Online Assignments: Students have complete control over their homework grade for each online homework assignment. If a question is marked as "incorrect" use the "Similar Problem" button at the bottom of the homework page to redo that problem for full credit. To be prepared for the exams, students should try EVERY problem in EVERY assignment. Each homework assignment is worth 10 pts, and is awarded full credit if it is completed before the due date with at least an 80% score. Students are encouraged to get 100% on each assignment, but you MUST earn at least a 80% for full credit. This means you don't have to redo problems that have been marked wrong because of rounding errors. And you can redo sections of problems without worrying about redoing the entire problem, as long as you have earned at least an 80% overall score for that assignment.
HOMEWORK completed by posted due date for unit exam:
• If your online HW score is 80% or better >> earns 10 pts (full credit)
- If your online HW is 79% or less by posted exam date >> earns 0 pts.
Homework Questions: Students with questions on homework should post their question on the Discussion Board for classmate response--classmates earn extra credit for answering a posted question.
Chapter End- Pencil & Paper Assignments: Course assignments also include work done by hand. At the end of each chapter, these "pencil and paper" assignments model the type of written questions you might see on an the written exam. They are intended to check for understanding of the major points of the chapter and to practice showing your work on paper--both skills critical to success on exam. Your homework schedule will show when the Pencil and Paper Assignments are assigned (usually near the end of chapters.)
Homework Credit for Pencil & Paper assignments: Pencil & Paper assignments are: (1) Printed and completed by hand, (2) Corrected by hand using a different color pen by comparing your answers to the posted solutions, and (3) Submitted with your chapter notes packets when you come to take your exams.
Chapter Notes Packets : The course webpages at course compass include Chapter Notes Outlines for each chapter. These are available in two forms:
· Download the printable PDF version of the document to complete the lecture notes. Graphics, symbols and formatting do not always transport cleanly in the WORD version of the lecture notes, so the PDF version is recommended for printing.
· Purchase the full Stat 300 Lecture Notes Packets (Instructor: Mary S. Martin) from the CRC bookstore
Submitting Chapter Notes Packets: The completed Chapter Notes Packets are turned in when you come to take each Unit Exam. (For Exam 1, you will bring in the Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 Notes packets). These notes will be evaluated for completeness and graded on the accuracy of work shown for each problem--SHOW YOUR WORK COMPLETELY. Partial credit is assigned if there are missing terms, missing examples or missing work. Notes packets must be completed by handwriting not typed.
Powerpoint Lectures from your instructor correspond to these Note packets--and are the "instructional lessons" for the course. Online students can complete the Notes Packets by watching the archived lecture videos that have been saved on the CRC server.
OTHER POLICIES:
In-Person Exam Policy: CRC Mathematics Department requires that all online and distance education students in transfer-level classes take exams in person, with photo ID. Exams for summer online students are scheduled on specific Weekday Evenings & Saturday mornings --but this may change depending on the semester. The 6-week summer session has the complication of avoiding the July 4th holiday, requiring adjustment of exam dates/times. See Exams & Grading for specific dates for Exams & Final.
Alternate Test Dates: If your schedule prevents you from taking exams on one or more of the scheduled exam windows, you can take your exams during the week prior to the scheduled exam date.
TESTING APPOINTMENTS must be made at least 48 HOURS in advance of desired test date/time.
Email your instructor to arrange for alternate exam, proctored in the Math Center, LRC 205.
Alternate Test Sites: Students may make individual arrangements (by permission of the instructor ONLY) to take exams off campus in a proctored testing center at another university or college. Any fees for off-site exam proctoring is the responsibility of the student. The Final Exam must be taken on the CRC campus.
Withdrawal: A student may choose to withdraw from a course for individual reasons at any time prior to posted date for the "Last Day to Withdraw" If you have made the decision to drop the course, please complete the necessary paperwork; do not rely on me to do it for you. After the posted Withdrawal deadline, all student still on the course roster MUST be given a letter grade in the course.
Instructor Withdrawal of "Inactive" Student: Community college funding from the state of California is based on student enrollment, and it is the responsibility of each instructor to verify our class rosters reflect "active" students in our courses. In this online STAT 300 course, a student must show some assignment progress every week.
Any student whose online course assignment activity shows no work for 7 days or more can be dropped by the instructor as "inactive."
Missed Test Policy : There is one Comprehensive FINAL Exam at the end of the course. The score on your final exam can be used to replace ONE missed exam, only if unavoidable circumstances interfere with your ability to take a test. You must notify the instructor before missing the test : No other late exams or make-up exams will be given.
Cheating Policy : Cheating will not be tolerated. Students who are caught cheating will receive a “0” for that assignment and notification of the incident will be sent to the Vice President of Student Services for further disciplinary action as appropriate. For CRC Honor Code & Academic Integrity Statement, go to http://www.crc.losrios.edu/Faculty_and_Staff/Faculty_and_Staff_Resource_Guide/Faculty_Resources/Student_Behavior_and_Academic_Integrity/Academic_Integrity_Statement.htm
Behavior: Students are expected to conduct themselves in ways appropriate to the educational purposes of the college. Inappropriate classroom conduct may result in any or all of the following: dismissal of student from the classroom, suspension of student from the class for one additional class meeting other actions as determined appropriate by the instructor or campus disciplinary procedures. Sexual Harassment: Any behavior that might be interpreted as sexual harassment is not permitted. See campus guidelines and policies regarding sexual harassment.
No Electronic Devices are allowed in the classroom. It is disruptive to the learning of the students in the classroom to be interrupted by the beeps, rings, hums of electronics in the classroom. No headphones, pagers, phones or other electronic devices are allowed in the classroom or during an exam. If you own one, you will be asked to turn it off and put it away during the exam session.
Final grades are FINAL. DO NOT EMAIL your instructor AFTER THE FINAL EXAM asking for "retakes", "do-overs" or other "extra credit". The last day to earn credit toward your grade in the class is the day of the final exam.
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GRADING EXAMS ( 3 Exams @ 21% each).............. 63 % Homework & Chapter Notes packets .... 12 % FINAL EXAM......................................... 25 % |
Semester grades: 90 - 100% A
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Resources for Success:
If you find yourself struggling to understand the material, help is available! You can:
• Establish a study group with your classmates
• Post your questions on the Discussion Board for help
• Email your questions to me at martinms@crc.losrios.edu
• Go to the Math Center (LRC 205) for drop in tutoring. Call (916) 691-7459 for summer, fall and spring semester schedules for open hours.
Additional Tips for Success:
1. Have a positive attitude. Negative thinking (I can't do this or I've never been good in math) or Indifference (I don't really need this stuff) are self-defeating and can stand in the way of accomplishment. Try to be positive and open to new ideas.
2. Keep Up. Attend/work through the powerpoints or watch the video for EVERY section. Do some homework every day--so that you keep up with the week's assignments by the end of every weekend.
3. Be organized. Keep your notes, homework, tests, answer keys, classwork in a binder and in an order that will allow you to find something when you need it.
4. Record important terms and formulas. When you come to a new definition or concept, phrase it in your own words , make up an example, or draw a picture.
5. Keep track of the Big Ideas. For each chapter, try to summarize for yourself what you have learned--see if you can write down the most important ideas with names or labels you understand. You may not think the terminology or section titles are important, but using a label or name for each idea will help you retrieve that idea when you need it. Keep these to use as study guides for the test--These will be a big head start on your formula sheet for each exam.
6. Learn to use all that your calculator can do. Read the instructions. Practice several problems. Rewrite the steps and locations of the commands so you can understand and remember them.
7. Practice a lot. Do ALL the HW problems. To get ready for exams, write problems from your notes or homework on index cards for each key idea we study--then shuffle them and try them "out of order" when you study for a test. FOR TEST PRACTICE: Use the instructor reviews & sample exams (see Exams & Reviews ) to study before each test.
8. Jot down questions as you study . You may be able to figure it out for yourself later, or you could ask a classmate or your instructor. Consider using the Discussion Board to post your question and see if help arrives electronically.
9. Pay attention to your mistakes. If you get a wrong answer, think of it as an opportunity to learn something. Don't give up--the fastest way to real understanding is to figure out why you made a mistake. Consider using the Discussion Board to post your question and see if help arrives electronically.
10. Study in groups. Find a group of students who are trying to do well in the class and would like to meet regularly. There are several places on campus you could meet (Math Center, library, cafeteria, open classrooms....) For online students, consider using the discussion board, email or an online chat room to meet to go over questions before a test.
11. Ask for help. Sometimes, no matter how hard you work there is something you simply don't understand. This is the time to talk to someone (a friend, tutor, teacher) who can help you! Take advantage of my help, email me, or let me know if you want to set up an appointment to meet. Also, tutoring is available in the Math Center (LRC 205)
12. Email me, anytime.