Syllabus
Math 338: Statistics Applied to Natural Sciences
Contact
E-mail: joseluna@fullerton.edu, or send me a message on Canvas
If you do not receive a response to your e-mail or Canvas message within 24 hours (48 hours on weekends), please check that you typed my e-mail address correctly and resend your message.
Office: MH 128D
Office Hours: Monday: 11:00am - 12:50pm
Wednesday: 11:00am - 12:50pm
Important Dates
- 09/01/2024: Last day students will be enrolled from waitlist
- 09/10/2024: Last day to drop classes without a grade of “W.”
- 11/15/2024: Final deadline to submit a withdrawal request from classes with a grade of “W” for a serious non-medical reason
- 12/06/2024: Final deadline to submit a withdrawal request of “W” for medical reasons.
Course Objectives
Our main objective is to present the main ideas used in exploring and analyzing data, without being bogged down on computational formulas. For the most part, we will use software for computing. Applications of statistical methods in humanities and social sciences, as well as health, environmental, and biomedical sciences will be emphasized. Students will learn methods of collecting data with emphasis on design of sample surveys/questionnaires and experiments. Methods of exploring data and using appropriate graphical and numerical summaries will be discussed. Concepts of randomness, sampling distribution, and central limit theorem will be introduced via simulation methods.
Students will learn methods to examine relationships between numerical variables as well as categorical variables, with emphasis on correlation, regression, and analysis of contingency tables including the chi-square test of independence. Basic methods of inference, including constructing confidence intervals and performing tests of hypotheses about population means and population proportions, will be introduced via both simulation methods and formal statistical tests such as z-test and \(t\)-test.
Course Requirements and Grading Policy
We are using the Canvas platform. You can access this from your student portal by searching for the Canvas app and then selecting the appropriate course.
Homework: There will be a total of five homework assignments each consisting of various problem sets from the book OpenIntro Statistics 4th edition. Homework contributes 50 points to your overall grade, where each homework assignment is worth 10 points.
Lab Assignments: There will be a total of five lab assignments in this course. Each lab assignment will be completed as a group. Here you will implement concepts learned during class with real life applications. All labs will be done using statistical software such as R.
Exams: Two (2) midterm exams and a cumulative final exam will be given. The instructor will specify the reference materials, if any, that students are allowed to use on each exam. Each midterm contributes 50 points to your final course grade. The final exam contributes 75 points to your final course grade.
Makeup Exams: Missed midterm exams cannot be made up. The final exam can only be made up in extreme circumstances and with advance permission of the instructor. If you feel that a sudden illness is sufficiently extreme to warrant a makeup final exam, you must present the instructor with documentation prepared by an appropriate authority.
Exam Dates:
- Midterm 1: Wednesday, October 2
- Midterm 2: Wednesday, November 13
- Final: Wednesday, December 18
Extra Credit: Extra credit assignments will not be given in this course.
Grading Policy:
Your final grade will be determined from your course percentage by the following table
| Grade | A+ | A | A- | B+ | B | B- | C+ | C | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage | 98% | 93% | 90% | 86% | 82% | 80% | 76% | 69% | 60% |
A grade of “C” (2.0) or better is required to meet this General Education requirement. A grade of “D” (1.0) or below will not satisfy this General Education requirement
Please note that your course percentage will decrease when assignments are not turned in.
Here is a breakdown of the grading points
| Category | Points |
|---|---|
| Lab Assignments | 50 (10 each) |
| Homework | 50 (10 each) |
| Quizzes | 75 (15 each) |
| Midterm Exam 1 | 50 |
| Midterm Exam 2 | 50 |
| Final Exam | 75 |
| Total | 350 |
Required Technology
Calculator
A scientific calculator is required for investigation activities and exams. Cell phones should not be used as calculators during class. For activities using a computer, students may use the lab computer, or their personal laptop/tablet computer, to perform calculations.
Software
We will use R and R Studio statistical software and IDE for class activities, labs, and exams.
Classroom Etiquette Policy
Keep disagreements civil and focus on criticizing someone’s actions
Departmental Electronic Device Policy
The Mathematics Department has instituted a zero-tolerance policy prohibiting the use of electronic devices such as cell phones, tablets, smart watches, etc. during assessments (including, but not limited to, quizzes and exams). For assessments involving use of a computer, this policy also prohibits use of any computer application, website, or document not explicitly permitted by the instructor.
Students found to be in violation this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, including receiving a grade of zero on the assessment; receiving a failing grade in the course; and/or being reported to the Dean of Students Office.
Academic Dishonesty
To have integrity is to have a set of moral principles that guide you in all aspects of your life, including in the classroom, and to act according to those principles. Inside the classroom, acting on those principles requires that:
Your exams and individual assignments reflect your true and honest best attempt at answering each question on your own (using only the aids permitted by the instructor). You do not give, ask for, or receive unauthorized help.
If you use the words or ideas of someone else, you properly give credit to that person or organization. Failing to do so is called plagiarism and can occur even if you don’t use the words verbatim.
You do not forge, alter, or tamper with academic records such as campus documents, grades, or medical excuses
Students who fail to uphold the university’s standards of academic integrity will be subject to disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, receiving a grade of zero on the assessment; receiving a failing grade in the course; or being reported to the Dean of Students Office.
Additional Course Information
Special Needs
Students with disability or special needs that may require specific arrangements or accommodations relating to attending class sessions, completing course assignments, and/or taking exams should contact the instructor during the first week of classes, or the first week after such accommodations become necessary. Students with disabilities need to document the disability at the Office of Disability Support Services (UH 101, 657-278-3112).
Emergency Policies In the event of an emergency (such as an earthquake or fire)
Take all your personal belongings and leave the classroom. Use the stairways located at the east, west, or center of the building
Do not use the elevator. They may not be working once the alarm sounds
Go to the lawn area towards Nutwood Avenue. Stay with class members for further instruction.
For additional information on exits, fire alarms and telephones, Building Evacuation Maps are located near each elevator.
Please see the instructor if you have (or anticipate having) difficulty evacuating the building
How to Add or Drop This Class
Adding is done through Titan Online. You may be required to obtain a permit from the Mathematics Department (mathoffice@fullerton.edu) in order to be able to enroll. Adding via Titan Online must be completed by September 1.
For non-medical withdrawals, the procedure for dropping this class depends on the date.
Before September 10: Drop through Titan Online. You will not receive a grade of ``W’’
After September 10, Before November 15: You must complete and submit the online Request for Withdrawal Form. Once submitted, I will decide whether to allow you to drop the class, and the form will then go to the Mathematics Department for approval. Neither my approval nor the approval of the Mathematics Department is guaranteed. You will receive a grade of ``W’’
After November 15, Before December 6: You must complete and submit the online Request for Withdrawal Form and provide additional supporting documentation showing a serious and compelling reason beyond your control. Once submitted, I will decide whether to allow you to drop the class, and the form will then go to the Mathematics Department for approval. Neither my approval nor the approval of the Mathematics Department is guaranteed. You will receive a grade of ``W’’
After December 6: Dropping through official channels is nearly impossible.
Students who stop attending class without having officially dropped will receive a grade of F. This grade does not satisfy the General Education requirement. It is your responsibility to verify that you have officially dropped the course.