Overview:

This course is the online version of Sta 101. Unlike most traditional online courses this course will have a major synchronous component (daily meetings) so make sure that your summer schedule allows participation prior to enrolling in the course. Meetings will be held Monday thru Friday, 1-2:30pm EST.

A mandatory course orientation meeting will be held during the last week of Spring 2013 classes (date/time TBD).

Please check with your DUS that the course will be approved to meet your major requirement.

Don't hesitate to contact Prof. Rundel with any questions: .

Note that you need a permission number to enroll in the course.

Meeting times:

Virtual synchronous meetings - MTWRF 1pm-2:30pm EST.

Course goals & objectives:

This course introduces students to the discipline of statistics as a science of understanding and analyzing data. Throughout the semester, students will learn how to effectively make use of data in the face of uncertainty: how to collect data, how to analyze data, and how to use data to make inferences and conclusions about real world phenomena.

The course goals are as follows:

  1. Recognize the importance of data collection, identify limitations in data collection methods, and determine how they affect the scope of inference.
  2. Use statistical software to summarize data numerically and visually, and to perform data analysis.
  3. Have a conceptual understanding of the unified nature of statistical inference.
  4. Apply estimation and testing methods to analyze single variables or the relationship between two variables in order to understand natural phenomena and make data-based decisions.
  5. Model numerical response variables using a single explanatory variable or multiple explanatory variables in order to investigate relationships between variables.
  6. Interpret results correctly, effectively, and in context without relying on statistical jargon.
  7. Critique data-based claims and evaluate data-based decisions.
  8. Complete two research projects: one that employs simple statistical inference and another that employs more advanced modeling techniques.

Please see the syllabus for detailed information on the course, policies, and grading. All course materials are posted on the schedule page (lecture notes, labs, assignments, etc.).

Required materials:

Texbook:
OpenIntro Statistics, Diez, Barr, Çetinkaya-Rundel
CreateSpace, 2nd Edition, July 2012

You can purchase a paperback copy of the book on Amazon at cost for $9.94, or download a free PDF at openintro.org.

Equipment/Software