STA 326     Statistics
Course Syllabus

Instructor:                    Dr. Roman Erenshteyn
Office:                           CIS Faculty Suite
Phone:                          (302) 225-6315
E-mail:                          roman@gbc.edu
Homepage:                   http://goldey.gbc.edu/~roman/
Office Hours:                as posted & by appointment
Tutorial Hours:            by appointment

Course Description

In this intensive and rigorous course, students will learn basic statistical concepts
and applications. The primary objective of this course is to provide an introduction to the
subject of statistics and to enhance the analytical abilities of business undergraduate
students. To achieve this goal, this course focuses on building statistical reasoning
while strongly emphasizing the application of statistical concepts to business situations,
as well as to common occurrences in daily life.

Prerequisite

Completion of
MAT 136 or equivalent with a grade of C- or higher is required.

Textbook

Allan G.Bluman,  Elementary Statistics. A Step by Step Approach, McGraw Hill, 2004,
Fifth Edition


Topics Covered

The following is a list of tentative subjects for this course in no particular order, which
may be changed without notice at any time at the instructor's sole discretion. Students
should reference the lecture outlines on the BlackBoard for weekly lecture outlines,
and reading and other assignments.

 

  • Nature of Probability and Statistics
  • Frequency Distributions and Graphs
  • Data Description
  • Probability and Counting
  • Discrete Probability Distributions
  • The Normal Distribution
  • Confidence Intervals
  • Hypothesis Testing
  • Correlation and Regression


Policies

 

Attendance

Attendance is taken during each class.  Attendance for the duration of every class is
essential for having any chance of passing this course. Important information including,
but not limited to, the course schedule, assignments, tests, and many other items of
importance are covered and discussed during class time, as needed.  Students are
responsible for being informed of all relevant course information that transpires during
class time. Students missing any part of any class need to make arrangements with a
classmate for "catching up" on any missed material, notes, assignments, handouts, etc.
Please, don't be late. Class doors are closed 5 min after class begins!

Late Assignments

Assignments are due when they are due and are generally collected at the beginning
of class.
A 5% penalty will be applied for each day an assignment is late, including the
first day and weekends.
Late assignments will be accepted for not more than 7 days
after the due date unless a special
arrangement was made. Late assignments may be
submitted to the instructor's office during
non-class time. Submission through
BlackBoard's DropBox is a preference. Attachments should
be prepared in MS Word.
Program listings and results should be copied to MS Word document from

MS C++ compiler. Each assignment should be submitted as one MS Word or Excel file!
Hand-written homeworks will not be accepted.

No assignment will be accepted after the start of the last regular class of this course.
Note:     It is better to submit completed assignments a day or two late rather than an
incomplete
assignment on the due date. Students will usually fair much better by
submitting a
completed assignment, even if it is a day or two late. Don't wait for the due date!

Make-up Tests

Make-up tests are rare and will be given only in cases of documented serious illness or
other emergencies. To be eligible for a make-up test, the student must provide an acceptable
excuse prior to the scheduled date and time of the test.  In the event a make-up test is granted,
the student is responsible for taking the test before the start of the next class. If the instructor is
not notified prior to the scheduled test time and still permit a make-up, unless a satisfactory
reason is given for the lack of notification, a 20% reduction of grade will be incurred. If the next
class is scheduled on a day the college is closed, the make-up test must be taken prior to the
closing of the college.

Academic Honesty

Helping a classmate is very honorable, but sharing solutions is strictly prohibited. All work is
to be done individually, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Anyone caught cheating; copying
solutions or electronic
files, or performing any other activity that may be construed as
dishonest will be punished up to
dismissal from class with a failing grade and will be
reported to the Academic Honesty Committee.


Semester Grade

Five homeworks will be worth 40% of the final grade.

Three tests will be worth 60% of the final grade. 

The percentage will not be rounded to the closest integer.
Up to six points could be deducted for failed tests (1 pt. each) and/or bad attendance
(3 pts. for more than 2 missing classes)!

A letter grade based on the total percentage achieved will be given in accordance with the
College's
grading system.

No grade negotiation, please! Everybody deserves what she/he deserves!

Correction of Grades

If an error is made in grading any of your work or your final grade, I will be glad to make a correction.
However, the error must be called to my attention within two weeks of the return of the material in
question. In the case of final grades, the error must be called to my attention within two weeks of
the next regular semester.

Getting Help

If help is needed, students are advised to seek it immediately.  The ARC provides free tutoring on
the software packages used in this course and is available on a daily basis at the college and to
a limited extend during the evening.  The ARC provides help on a one-to-one basis. Students
needing help are encouraged to contact the ARC directly to make an appointment. The best way
to reach the instructor is by e-mail at roman@goldey.gbc.edu. Individual assistance will be nearly
available at any time I am in my office.

Working Together

You are encouraged to partner with one or more other classmates. Should it be necessary for you
to miss class, a partner can take notes for you, grab extra copies of the assignment. And, when
you're having difficulty with an assignment, why not get together with your partner(s) in the
computer lab?
However, each student must prepare the homework. Do not copy another's disk! If you do,
you
and the person from whose work you copied will receive a grade of zero for that homework!

Computer Software

The following software will be in use this semester:    Microsoft Office,
and it is available in the lab on campus.

Academic Honor Code

All courses taught at Goldey-Beacom College are governed by the GBC Academic Honor Code. 
Click on the link above to learn more.