The following activities and assessments will help you successfully achieve the course learning objectives. By experiencing regression analysis in different ways, you will not only gain a more basic understanding of the subject, but you will gain experiences that can guide you as you apply what you’ve learned to the final project and future research.
Homework assignments give you an opportunity to apply the concepts discussed during lectures and labs. These assignments will include questions about the computational and mathematical aspects of the methods that underpin the statistical models we discuss throughout the semester. They will also include questions that require you to apply the modeling skills you gain throughout the semester. You may work with others on the assignments; however, each student must write up and submit their own assignment. Homework must be typed up using R Markdown and submitted on Sakai. The lowest homework grade will be dropped at the end of the semester.
Lab assignments focus on the computational aspects of regression. They will give you an opportunity to practice your computing skills and apply the course concepts in various data analysis scenarios. You are expected to attend lab and work on the relevant assignment during each lab session. Missing more than 3 lab sessions will impact your final course grade. You may work with other students on the lab assignments; however, each student must write up and submit their own lab work. The lowest lab grade will be dropped at the end of the semester.
The exams are an opportunity to assess the knowledge and skills you’ve learned. They will include both the mathematical and conceptual aspects of regression. The first exam will be approximately halfway through the course, and the second exam will be during the last week of classes. Both exams will be given during a lecture class period.
The purpose of the project is to apply what you’ve learned throughout the semester to analyze an interesting data-based research question. To answer your research question, you will find a dataset that includes multiple variables that can be analyzed using regression. Resources will be provided if you would like help finding data. You will present your results in a poster session during the final exam period, Saturday, December 15, 2p – 5p. You must complete the final project and present your work at the poster fair in order to pass the course.
The final grade will be calculated as follows:
| Homework | 35% |
| Labs | 10% |
| Exam I | 20% |
| Exam II | 20% |
| Final Project | 15% |
If you have a cumulative numerical average of 90 - 100, you are guaranteed at least an A-, 80 - 89 at least a B-, and 70 - 79 at least a C-. The exact ranges for letter grades will be determined at the end of the semester.
This course is designed to be welcoming and accessible to all students. If there is some aspect of class that is not welcoming or accessible to you, please let me know immediately. Additionally, if you are experiencing something outside of class that is affecting your performance in the course, please feel free to talk with me or your academic dean.
If you have any needs that require accommodation, please let me know as soon as possible and register with the SDAO.
All relevant announcements, assignments, and course materials may be found on Sakai and the course website. There is also an up-to-date course schedule where you can find the lecture notes discussed in each class meeting, assignment deadlines, and reading assignments that can help you prepare for each class.
Announcements may also be sent to the class by email, so please check your email regularly. Class announcements may also be found on Sakai.
Students who miss a class due to a scheduled varsity trip, religious holiday, or short-term illness should fill out an online NOVAP, Religious Observance Notification, or STINF, respectively. These excused absences do not excuse you from assigned homework. It will still be your responsibility to submit homework assignments in accordance with the deadline.
If you have a personal or family emergency or health condition that affects your ability to participate in class, you should contact your academic dean’s office. More information about this procedure may be found at https://trinity.duke.edu/undergraduate/academic-policies/personal-emergencies.Exam dates cannot be changed and no make-up exams will be given. If you must miss an exam, your absence must be officially excused before the exam date. If your absence is excused, the missing exam grade will be imputed at the end of the semester based on your performance on other relevant course assignments.
The final project poster session will be during the university scheduled exam period, Saturday, December 15, 2p - 5p. You must complete the final project and present your work at the poster session in order to pass the course.
Homework assignments submitted late but within 24 hours of the deadline may be accepted with a 20% penalty. Homework assignments submitted any later will not be accepted.
Late work will not be accepted for exams, lab assignments, or the final project.
Requests for a regrade must be made within a week of when the assignment is returned. The request should be sumitted through the online form. It will be up to the instructor’s consent whether the regrade request is honored. Note: Grades can only be changed by the instructor. Teaching Assistants cannot change grades on returned assignments.
I trust every student in this course to fully comply with all of the provisions of the Duke Community Standard. By enrolling in this course, you have agreed to abide by and uphold the Standard as well as the policies specific to this course. Any violations of the Standard will result in a grade of 0 on the relevant assignment and will be reported to Office of Student Conduct.
Cell phones and other electronic devices should be turned off or put on silent during class. If you choose to use a laptop or tablet for notetaking, please ensure that the volume set to mute and the device is only used for class purposes. In general, you should focus on the class discussion/activity at hand and refrain from engaging in other work or outside activities.