Students must have completed and passed Math 31, or have the equivalent background in differential and integral calculus. Students should be able to take derivatives and integrals of standard functions (exponential, polynomials, logarithms) and must understand the basic applications of calculus (finding areas under curves, maximizing/minimizing functions, etc.). No previous statistical knowledge or background is assumed.
Text Book
Wonnacott, T. H., and Wonnacott, R. J., Introductory Statistics 5th Ed. Wiley, New York, ISBN 978-0-471-61518-7.
Computing
We will use the statistical software package JMP-IN (Version 7) in labs and for the final project. You can obtain a copy with license at the OIT website, or you can purchase JMP-IN from the Duke book store; make a special request at the desk if they are out of copies. It is also available on the PCs in 01 Old Chemistry Building and in several other public PC lab clusters.
Calculator
You need a basic calculator or access to one on a computer. You don't need to purchase a calculator that can do graphing or has statistical functions.
Graded Work
Graded work for the course will consist of problem sets, lab work, a project, two midterms, and a final exam. Your final grade will be determined as follows:
| Final exam | 20 % |
| Midterm exam 1 | 15 % |
| Midterm exam 2 | 15 % |
| Homework problems
|
15 % |
| In-class problems
|
15 % |
| Labs | 15 % |
| Project | 5 %
|
There are no make-ups for exams, in-class or homework problems, or labs except for a medical or familial emergency or previous approval of the instructor. See the instructor in advance of relevant due dates to discuss possible alternatives.
Everyone with 85 and above are guarenteed to get A, 70 to 85 are guarenteed to get B, 60 to 70 are guarenteed to get C.
Description of Graded Work
Homework problems are expected every day, and they will be posted on the course calendar here. It consists several review questions (begin with RQ), and several written questions (begin with HW). You do not need to hand in the review questions, but they are helpful for you to understand the materials in class. You will need to hand in the solutions for the HW questions, and they are typically due at the beginning of the next class. Late homework will be graded as zero.
In class problems (a.k.a. quiz) are expected approximately twice a week, you will know the quiz schedule on the course calendar. Usually there are two or three questions, and you are expected to finish them in 10-15 minutes. The previous review questions have a high probability becoming quiz questions, so always finish the review questions is a good idea.
Labs are graded based on your lab reports. If you miss a lab session, it will be graded as zero.
Projects and exams are described in the exams and project page.