Spring 2003
COURSE:  MA 120 - Elementary Probability and Statistics

PROFESSOR: Dr. Randal Beck

OFFICE:  Sh 203 I

OFFICE HOURS:    2:00 –  3:00 M W F
                                10:00 – 11:30 T

PHONE:     office: (424) - 6223
                   home:  423  – 7498

TEXT:  Mendenhall, Beaver, and Beaver, A Brief Introduction
            to Probability and Statistics, 2002, 1st edition, Duxbury.

OBJECTIVES:

1.   The student should gain a working knowledge of measures of central tendency
      and variation, elementary probability theory, distributions, the normal distribution,
      sampling, estimation and hypothesis testing.

2.   The student should gain an understanding of the concepts listed above and their applications.

3.   The student should develop skill in the use of data, sampling and mathematical modeling.

OUTLINE OF MATERIAL:

         Graphical Methods
         Numerical Methods
         Probability and probability distributions
         Sampling distributions
         Estimation
         Hypothesis testing

GRADING:  The course grade will be based on the following:

                                               3 tests     300 pts
                             1 final examination     150 pts
                      homework and quizzes     100 pts
                              class participation       50 pts
                                                  total:     600 pts

        The curve is 90% - 100% A, 80% - 89.9% B, 70% - 79.9% C,
        60% - 69.9% D and below 60% F.
 
 
 

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CLASS SESSIONS:  Class sessions will be of the lecture-discussion type.
Class time will be divided between new material, homework, and review.
All students are expected to contribute to class discussions.  Class attendance is
expected.  STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERYTHING THAT
OCCURS IN CLASS.

HOMEWORK:  Due to the fact that Mathematics is not a spectator sport (discipline),
homework is an important part of the course.  Homework assignments will be made during
most class sessions.  Some, but not all, assignments will be collected and graded.  Homework
written on spiral notebook pages will not be accepted.  Homework should be neat, organized
and legible.  A list of the assigned problems should appear at the top of the first page of the
assignment.  Homework assignments are due at the beginning of the first class period that
follows the class session in which the assignment was made unless another due date is
specified.  Late homework is usually not accepted.  Consult the professor for exceptions.

ABSENCES:  If you cannot attend class, inform the professor of this fact and the reason
the absence (prior to class, if possible).  Tests may be missed for legitimate excuses only
(i.e.  illness, death in the family).  If you cannot take a scheduled test, let the professor
know (in advance, if possible).  Make-up test can be taken when a legitimate excuse
exists.  However, make-up tests are usually longer and harder than the regularly scheduled test.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:  Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this class.
Students are expected to do their own work.  In addition, students are expected to protect
the integrity of their work.  Cases of academic dishonesty will be dealt with on an individual basis.

PROBLEMS:  The professor is will hold office hours at the scheduled times and by appointment.
During office hours, the professor is available to answer questions, check ungraded homework, etc.
However, office hours are not for private tutoring for students who have skipped class.  If a student
is having trouble in the course, he or she is encouraged to talk to the professor.