STA 3024          Introduction to Statistics II          Fall 2011

Instructor: Maria Ripol

office: Griffin Floyd 117 C
phone: (352) 273-2976
email: mripol@stat.ufl.edu
web: http://www.stat.ufl.edu/~mripol
office hours: MWF 7th period (1:55 – 2:45 pm)

Lectures:  MWF 4th pd,  NRN137, sec 4433

Teaching Assistants:

Zhe Chen office hours: MWF3-5 pm in Griffin Floyd 209

Xiaofan Xu office hours: T 4-7pm, R 3-6pm in Griffin Floyd 117D

Course Description and Objectives
In this course, students learn how to summarize data, analyze it, and make appropriate decisions based on it. This course satisfies General Education Credits in the Mathematical Sciences and is in the general category of M.

The sequence of courses STA 2023-3024 provides students with a firm foundation in the basics of applied statistical methods. The prerequisite for this course is STA 2023, which covered chapters 1-9 in the textbook (data collection, graphical and numerical summaries, probability and an introduction to statistical inference). Concepts from STA 2023 will be reviewed as needed.
The course focuses on the following four topics:

1. Analysis of Variance to compare three or more population means.
2. Inference for Regression, covering Simple Linear Regression and Multiple Regression.
3. Analysis of Two-Way Tables to study the relationship between two categorical variables.
4. Nonparametric Statistics that do not require a Normal distribution of the response variable.

Required Materials:

1. Statistics: The Art and Science of Learning from Data, by Alan Agresti and Chris
Franklin, 2nd edition, Prentice Hall.

2. Scientific Calculator (around $10 to $15) that has some basic statistical functions like
mean and standard deviation Graphing calculators are not allowed during the exams.

Course Website: https://lss.at.ufl.edu/

This is the portal for UF’s E-learning website. You must log on using your gatorlink username and password, and access the course webpages from there. Important information about the course, including this syllabus, announcements, and computer output to supplement the examples done in class, your grades throughout the semester, and the online quizzes will be posted there.

Online Quizzes - There will be four online quizzes, administered through E-Learning. You will have three tries for each quiz (with questions randomly generated) over a period of approximately 4 days. Each quiz will be worth 10 points, for a total of 40 points. Hopefully these quizzes will serve the purpose of improving your grade in the class, as well as be an important tool in learning the material for the course. Quiz dates and details will be announced in class.

Suggested Homework Problems will appear on the website. They will help you master the material but will not be collected.

Projects - There will be two data analysis projects to be completed during the semester. Each project will be worth 30 points, for a total of 60 points. Project dates and details will be given in class.

Exams - There will be three exams given in class during the semester, each worth 100 points. All exams are in multiple choice format. Students are required to take the exam in the section they are registered for. All students must bring to the exam: their student ID number, picture ID, a calculator, and pencils. In case of conflict or illness, if a student is unable to take an exam at the scheduled time, they must get in touch with the instructor prior to the exam time, for any arrangements to be made for a makeup. Each case will be reviewed individually. Valid and detailed documentation is a prerequisite under such extenuating circumstances. A grade of zero is the minimum punishment of any type of dishonesty on an exam.

Exam 1 - Wed, September 28th (8:20-10:00pm) - Ch 10 and 14 - Comparing Groups
Exam 2 - Wed, November 2nd (8:20-10:00pm)  - Ch 12 and 13 - Regression
Exam 3 - TBD by Registrar -  Ch11 and 15 - Chi Squared and Nonparametrics

Grade Structure

Exam 1     100 points
Exam 2     100 points
Exam 3     100 points
Projects      60 points
Quizzes      40 points
TOTAL      400 points

Grading Scale

A     90% to 100% A-    87% to 89%

B+   84% to 86% B     80% to 83% B-    77% to 79%

C+   74% to 76% C     70% to 73% C-    64% to 69%

D     60% to 63%       (No D+ or D- given) E     59% and below

Course Policies:

Email – will be answered within one working day in most cases. Please be aware that statistical questions should be answered in person (in class or during office hours) since they often require pictures and formulas that make it very hard to communicate through email.

Attendance – although not required, is very highly recommended. This class is NOT offered online. If you miss a class for any reason, it is your responsibility to get a copy of the notes and all information given in class from another student. Please be aware that sections of this course with a different instructor may cover the material in different order.

Classroom Behavior - during class students should turn off their cellular phones and refrain from eating, drinking, reading newspapers, doing homework, listening to music, excessive talking and all other behaviors that are distracting and disrespectful to the instructor and their fellow students.

Privacy Policy - Student records are confidential. Only information designated “UF directory information” may be released without your written consent. This applies to parents or anyone else who contacts me about your grades.

Instructor's Honor Code - We the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honesty and integrity.

Academic Dishonesty - We adhere to the University of Florida rules and guidelines for handling instances of academic dishonesty. Please refer to the Office for Student Services for detailed information about the current policies.

Grading – grades will be changed only when an error has been made. Negotiation is not appropriate.

Incompletes are only assigned when extraordinary circumstances, arising after the date for dropping the course, prevent the student from completing the course requirements. Having a failing grade in the course is not a valid reason for requesting an Incomplete.

Students with Disabilities - Students who require special accommodations in class or during exams should follow the procedures outlined by the Disability Resources Program (http://www.dso.ufl.edu/drp/) Please see the instructor in person during office hours, early in the semester, to discuss your accommodation letter confidentially.