STAT 3000 -- Statistics for Scientists
Spring, 2003
Section 3: TR 10:30 - 11:45
Geology 302

Announcements

Guidelines for the final group project have been provided. See the link below for details.

The book is on reserve at the SciTech Library - ask for Stats 4B.

Tutoring times have been announced. See tutoring labs, below.

Assignments

Guidelines for Group Project
SAS help sheet 1 (Descriptive Statistics) - pdf
SAS help sheet 2 (One-Sample Inference) - pdf
SAS help sheet 3 (Two-Sample Inference and Regression) - pdf

Example Datasets

Click on the appropriate dataset. Remember to "Save As..." type "Text File".

All datasets from Hayter (ASCII, zipped) (May require editing - remember, SAS wants only one space between variables for space-delimited files.)

Instructor: Michael Minnotte
Office: Lund 201-C
Phone: 797-2844
E-mail: minnotte@math.usu.edu
Office Hours: TR 9:30 - 10:20, W 10:30 - 11:20, or by appointment.

Course Web Site: http://math.usu.edu/~minnotte/S3000S03

Course Objectives: The purpose of this class is to introduce you to a variety of methods that statisticians and researchers use to collect and analyze data. The central underlying concept associated with all statistical methodology is the identification of the sources of uncertainty or variation in the observations/measurements we analyze. Unlike lower level statistics classes (such as Stat 1040, 2000, or 2300), we will use a higher level of mathematical thinking to develop some concepts in a more rigorous manner.

Text: Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists (2nd ed.), Anthony J. Hayter, (Duxbury, 2002).

Prerequisite: Math 1100, Math 1210, or an equivalent calculus course. If you are concerned about your preparation, please come see me.

Homework: I will assign homework every 1-2 weeks, usually from the text book. Please make things easy on me, the grader, and yourself; make your homeworks easy to read and grade. Use one side of the paper, write neatly, and leave plenty of space. I will not require the grader to grade a paper which I can't read. Also, show your work. Full credit will not, in general, be given for just the answer. If your answer is wrong, you will probably receive partial credit if you show your work, but not otherwise.

Many of the problems will involve computer work (see below). For the computational portions of such problems, you need only turn in the relevant output, together with any associated discussion and answers to specific questions. You do not need to turn in programming code or commands.

All homework will be due in class on the due date. The grade for the homework will be reduced by 10% if it is turned in late on the due date, and another 10% for every working day it is late after that (to a minimum of 30% of the original grade) unless prior permission is given.

Finally, you may help each other with your homeworks, but I expect what you turn in to be your own work. Helping does not mean simply copying what someone else has put down.

Computer Use: We will use the SAS computer package, available on the PC's in the Ag. Science, Merrill Library, SciTech Library, and TSC computer labs.

Tests: There will be a midterm in class February 20, and another April 10 (both Thursdays). The tests will be closed book, but you may bring one prepared formula sheet. Calculators will be required, and the problems will be similar to those in the homeworks. Exam policy is no makeups unless you have a very good reason and notify me in advance that you will not be able to attend a scheduled exam.

Final Project: There will be a final project in lieu of a final exam. You will work in groups of 3-4. You may propose groups, although I reserve the right to assign and reassign where necessary. The project will consist of a meaningful (but relatively brief) analysis of data that your group has selected. You will submit a write-up and give a short (10 minute) presentation. Presentations will be given during our final exam period, which is Thursday, May 1, 9:30-11:20. You must be present for your group's presentation to receive credit for the project. More guidelines will be given as the semester progresses, although you are welcome to ask questions about the project at any time.

Grades: For each person I will compute an overall score according to the formula

40% Homework + 20% Midterm 1 + 20% Midterm 2 + 20% Final Project
and will assign grades accordingly. There is no fixed grade profile for this class: if everyone does well, everyone can get an A.

Tutoring Labs: The Mathematics and Statistics Department provides free tutoring for Stat 3000. Tutoring will take place at the following days, times, and locations:
Courtesy: I expect you to be courteous to your fellow students and to me. Turn off pagers and cellular phones before class, and please keep conversations to a minimum during lectures. I don't care if you don't come to class, although I don't recommend it - I won't be very sympathetic if you then do poorly, and I'll be skipping around a lot in the book. On the other hand, leaving in the middle of lecture is both rude and distracting; if you come to class, please stay until the end.

I reserve the right to lower your grade for repeated violations of this policy.

Disability Policy: If a student has a disability that will likely require some accomodation by the instructor, the student must contact the instructor and document the disability through the Disability Resource Center, preferably during the first week of the course. Any requests for special considerations relating to attendance, pedagogy, taking of examinations, etc. must be discussed with and approved by the instructor. In cooperation with the Disability Resource Center, course materials can be provided in alternative formats - large print, audio, diskette or Braille.

Late Adds: The last day to add this class is January 27. Attending this class beyond that date without being officially registered will not be approved by the Dean's Office.

The above schedule and procedures in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances.

Return to Mike Minnotte's home page.
Last updated: April 17, 2003