Math 320 - Elementary Probability and Statistics - Fall 2000

Course description and prerequisite:

An elementary introduction to probability and statistics. Discrete and continuous random variables, mean and variance, hypothesis testing and confidence limits, nonparametric methods, Student's T, analysis of variance, regression and contingency tables. Prerequisite: Math 131. Credit 3 units.

Links:

Course Schedule
Homework Assignments and Review Problems
Demetrio Labate's Home Page
Cleon Yohe's Home Page

Examinations:
Tests will be given in class on

Friday, September 22
Friday, October 27      and
Friday, December 1
FINAL:  Tuesday, December 19, 6-8 PM (Notice: for section 2 EXAM in ROOM CROW 201):
Section 1: CUPPLES I ROOM 115
Section 2: CROW ROOM 201

Missed exams:

No make-ups exams will be given for these tests. Excused absences from any of these tests must be obtained from the professor of your section prior to the examination, or else medical excuses from the health service must be taken directly to the mathematics office in Room 100, Cupples I. Excused missing exam scores will be determined by a linear regression based on your other tests and the final exam. Unexcused absence from an exam will result in a score of zero on that exam.

Textbook:

A Data-Based Approach to Statistics, by Ronald L. Iman. Published by Duxbury Press, 1994.
NOTE: The answers to most odd-numbered problems are in the back of the book.

Sections:

There are two sections, each following approximately the same lesson schedule with the same text and homework assignments. Tests will be different between the two sections, but will be written and graded jointly. Students must take the examinations of the section in which they are registered.

Section 1:    Meets MWF 10-11 in  Cupples I  Room 115
Prof. C. Yohe
 Office:  Cupples I  Room 212
Phone: 935-6765        
 Email: cy@math.wustl.edu
Office hours:    Not yet set

Section 2:    Meets MWF 12-1 in  Crow  Room 206
Prof. D. Labate
 Office:  Cupples I  Room 112A
Phone: 935-6785        
 Email: dlabate@math.wustl.edu
Office hours:    MF 10-11

Homework and Background:

There will be a homework assignment due every Friday, starting with the Friday of the second week of classes, September 8. Homework assignments can be picked up at the Math320 Box. Homework will be handed in before 5:00 PM on the date due to the receptionist in the math office (Cupples I Room 100). Homework will be returned to the Math 320 ``pidgeon holes'' boxes near one of the ends of the main floor hallway in Cupples I. The lowest homework score will be dropped, so that the total homework score will be based on all homework grades but one.
This course will follow the guidelines set down under the Statement of Student Academic Integrity on page 22 of the University Course Listings for Spring 2000.
You are encouraged to form groups to study the material and to work on homework problems. However, any work that you hand in must be your own. This means that even if you figured out how to do the problem with the help of others, you must then write up your homework on your own. In accordance with Guideline 2 of the academic integrity statement, acknowledge at the top of your paper all the people with whom you worked on any problem in the assignment. Suspected violation of these guidelines will be referred to the Committee on Academic Integrity.
If you elect ``Credit/No Credit,'' then a grade of Cr means D or better.

WARNING:

Make a copy of each homework before you hand it in!!
It may not be returned before you need it if you want to refer to it for the next homework (or for a test).

Computer Usage:

The software packware Excel will be used during the course. This Microsoft program is available on every PC and Mac in the Arts & Sciences computer lab and in the South 40 computer areas. Excel is a part of Microsoft Office, which is preinstalled on many new computers. If you see an advantage to having it on your personal computer, and you have first checked that it is not there already, you can purchase a copy of Excel at the bookstore for about $100. Microsoft Office itself sells for around $150, with academic discount.
The best way to get started with Excel is to jump right in and use the online help. See the first homework assignment.

Calculators:

You will need a calculator for this course. The TI-83 used in Math 131 has all the features that will be needed. If you don't already own this calculator and would prefer to get by with the bare minimum, you can try the Sharp EL-546L, available at the bookstore for about $20. If you have a fancier calculator, then you are welcome to use it. It will be a serious disadvantage not to have and use a calculator at least at the level of the EL-546L. A calculator will be an essential tool throughout the course.

Cribsheets and Calculators:

Calculators, but not laptop or notebook computers, can be used during examinations. In addition, a cribsheet (a single 8 1/2 by 11 sheet of paper) will be permitted on all examinations.

Grading:

There will be 13 graded homeworks, three hourly examinations, and a cumulative final examination. The hourly exams will count 15% each, the final will count 35%, and the homework 20%. Letter grade boundaries will be determined for both sections together at the end of the course.

Approximate Course Schedule for Math 320 (Fall 2000):
Week: Days: Sections:
1. Aug 30-Sep 1 1.1-1.3,  2.1-2.4
2. Sep 6-8 3.1-3.2
3. Sep 11-15 3.3, 4.1-4.3
4. Sep 18-22 *** 4.4, 5.1-5.3
5. Sep 25-29 5.4-5.5
6. Oct 2-6 6.1-6.3
7. Oct 9-13     6.4-6.5, 7.1
8. Oct 16-18 7.2-7.4
9. Oct 23-27 *** 8.1-8.2, 9.1
10. Oct 30-Nov 3 9.2-9.4
11. Nov 6-10 10.1-10.3
12. Nov 13-17 11.1-11.2, 12.1
Fall Break   Nov 20-24
13. Nov 27 - Dec 1 *** 12.2, 15.1-15.3
14. Dec 6-8 15.4
Reading Period   Dec 11-15
Final Exam Tuesday December 19,   6-8 PM
*** Hourly exam during this week (Fri)

Links:

Top of this page
Homework Assignments
Demetrio labate's Home Page
Washington University Home Page

Last modified Sept 8, 2000