COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OUTLINE FOR MATHEMATICS 410.1:

ADVANCED STATISTICAL METHODS I, WINTER 2001

 

PREREQUISITE:        Math 311 or equivalent or permission.                  W. B. Owen, Ph.D., Professor

                                                                                                Bouillon 108C963-2823; billowen@cwu.edu

http://www.cwu.edu/~billowen

Off Hours: 11 MTWF, 8:15-9 T,TH or by appointment.

 

STUDENT OUTCOMES FOR MATHEMATICS 410.1:  Students will gain a thorough and correct understanding of basic statistical inference from their first course, and will also achieve an in-depth study of linear and multiple regression analysis.

 

ATTENDANCE:  To achieve success in any mathematics class, regular attendance is almost imperative.  Unlike most subjects, new topics in statistics build on previous knowledge; failure to learn something early will haunt you throughout the course. There will be some modern topics I introduce that are NOT covered in the book.  You will be responsible for these.  In addition, we will do some group, and these groups will not be effective when understaffed.  Your fellow group members who depend on you will not appreciate it if you leave them hanging.

 

IF YOU MISS CLASS, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO FIND OUT THE MATERIAL COVERED,

ANNOUNCED, OR ASSIGNED, AND TO ARRANGE FOR A CLASSMATE TO PICK UP ANY

ASSIGNMENTS THAT MAY BE HANDED OUT OR RETURNED.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WITHDRAWAL:  By University policy, you may withdraw by February 14, 2001.  By then, you should have a good idea as to how well you are progressing.   After February 14, you must petition the Dean of Admissions for withdrawal.  Such withdrawals are granted only in compelling circumstances.  (The prospect of receiving a poor grade is not a "compelling circumstance!")

 

INCOMPLETES: An "I" is appropriate only if you have finished most course requirements, and can complete the course without re‑enrolling.  (Example: missing the final exam due to illness.) The course must be completed within a year; otherwise, the "I" reverts to an "F."

 

TESTING AND GRADING:  There  will be two 100-point exams, and a 25-minute ORAL FINAL exam worth 100 points.  (A sign-up sheet will be passed out during the latter part of he quarter, allowing you to schedule a convenient time.) You will have a minimum of four days notice for all exams.  In addition to exams, there will be several problems for which you may have to present an oral and/or written presentation.  These will be worth 50 points.  You will also be graded on classroom participation and attendance, which counts 50 points. This makes a total of 400 points.  There is no predetermined scale for grades, but the usual scale of 93-100, etc, would give you a good approximation.  I will let you know how you are progressing after each exam.

 

TEXT:  Statistics, by McClave and Sincich, Prentice Hall, 8th Edition. This book is non-mathematical and covers the important topics for both this and the next quarter.  I will supplement this book in certain areas.

 

COMPUTER:  There are three heavily used statistical packages: SAS, MINITAB, and SPSS.  Professional statisticians use SAS.  Social science workers use SPSS.  MINITAB is a very nice compromise choice.  While not as powerful as SAS, it is powerful enough to do most real-world applications.  What really makes it stand out is ease of use.  We have recently upgraded the lab machines in Bouillon 103 to the full-blown, high-powered version. If you feel a strong affinity to another statistical package, feel free to use it. All in-class demonstrations, however, will use MINITAB.  You will need a 3.5” high-density disk.

 

MATERIAL  TO BE COVERED:  Because of your varied backgrounds, we will review material from your first stat course.  The concept of a sampling distribution is far and away the most important idea for any of you who will ever use statistics.  For this reason, we will begin with Chapter 6.  The material in Chapters 7-9 may have been covered in your first stat course, but we will rehit this material to be sure you have a good foundation.   I hope to spend at least the last half of the course on Chapters 11 and 12 with a considerable amount of supplementation.  Homework problems from the book will be announced in class or given to you later.  In addition, there will be several handouts/worksheets given in class. I will not collect homework unless specifically mentioned.  You should, however, work these problems in order to succeed in the course. The best possible indication of exam-type problems is given by class examples from your notes along with the worksheets assigned in class.  You will have to work in groups on certain of the regression problems, and you will then present your analyses interactively in class.