MATH 250 A07(04036), Spring 2004

Introduction to Probability and Statistics I

Catalog Description:
Organization of data, central tendency and dispersion, probability, concept of random variables, binomial and normal probability distributions. No credit for 250 if already credit for 450A, PSY 120, PSY 121, PSY 221, ISE 304, or ISE 305.
Prerequisites:
MATH 113 or Placement level 2 or higher.
Instructor:
Martin J. Mohlenkamp, mohlenka@ohio.edu, (740)593-1283, 554 Morton Hall.
Office hours: Monday 3-4pm, Tuesday 11am-12 noon, Thursday 3-4pm, and Friday 11am-12 noon.
Web page:
http://www.ohiouniversityfaculty.com/mohlenka/20043/250.
Class hours/ location: 
MTuThF 10:10-11am in 223 Morton Hall.
Text:
Statistics--Principles and Methods, fourth edition, by Richard A. Johnson, and Gouri K. Bhattacharyya; John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2001.
Calculator:
A scientific calculator is required. It does not need to be able to graph.
Homework:
Several problems from each section of the book are assigned. These problems will not be collected or graded, but you will need to do them in order to learn.
Good Problems:
Six Good Problems are assigned, and will be collected and graded. These are homework problems that will be graded half on content and half on presentation. The idea is to practice writing mathematics regularly but in small pieces.
Tests:
There will be four mid-term tests, in class. A calculator is needed.
Final Exam:
The final exam is on Thursday 10 June at 8:00am in our regular classroom. A calculator is needed.
Grade:
Each Good Problem is worth 1 unit, each test is worth 2 units, and the final is worth 4 units. Your lowest 2 units will be dropped and then your average is computed and a 90% guarantees you at least an A-, 80% a B-, 70% a C-, and 60% a D-.
Missed or Late work:
Only reasons given in advance of a missed test will be considered; otherwise a score of 0 will be given. Late Good Problems are penalized 5% for each 24 hour period or part thereof, excluding weekends and holidays.
Attendance:
Attendance is assumed but is not counted in your grade. It is your responsibility to find out any announcements made in class.
Academic Dishonesty:
You are strongly encouraged to work together on the homework. You can work together on the Good Problems, but you must acknowledge in writing what help you received and from whom. The tests and final exam must be your own work, and without the aid of notes, etc. Dishonesty will result in a zero on that work, and possible failure in the class and a report to the university judiciaries.
Special Needs:
If you have specific physical, psychiatric, or learning disabilities and require accommodations, please let me know as soon as possible so that your learning needs may be appropriately met.
Resources:
  • Your classmates are your best resource. Use them!
  • A collection of online resources http://www.statsci.org/teaching.html
  • An (advanced) online textbook http://www.statsoftinc.com/textbook/stathome.html
  • Schedule

    The Good Problems and Tests are fixed, but we may not cover sections on exactly the days shown.  
    Week Date Section Homework Good Problem/ Test
    1 March 29 Introduction
    March 30 Chapter 1 1.1-1.17odd
    April 1 2:1,2:2
    April 2 2.3 2.1-19odd,2.23,2.25 Good Problem 1: Autobiography  .pdf, using Layout .pdf
    2 April 5 2:4 2.29-51odd,2.50
    April 6 2:5 2.55-87odd,2.78
    April 8 2:7,2:8 2.95-115odd
    April 9 4:1,4:2 4.1-5,4.7-13odd,4.14 Good Problem 2: #2.108, using Flow .pdf
    3 April 12 4:3 4.15-31odd (drop deadline) 
    April 13
    April 15 Review sample test .pdf
    April 16 Test 1 on 2:1-5, 2:8, 4:1-3
    4 April 19 4:4 4.35-37,4.39-51odd
    April 20 4:5 4.55-61odd,4.65-69odd,4.73-77odd,4.81
    April 22 4:6 4.83-101odd
    April 23 4:7 4.103-121odd,4.133-139odd Good Problem 3: #4.50, using Symbols .pdf
    5 April 26 Total Probability .pdf 4.63,4.71,4.79; handout .pdf
    April 27 Bayes' Rule handout
    April 29 Review
    April 30 Test 2 on 4:1-7, Total Probability, Bayes' Rule
    6 May 3 5:1,5:2 5.1-7odd (drop deadline with WP/WF) 
    May 4 5:3 5.9-27odd
    May 6 5:4 5.29-43odd
    May 7 5:5 5.45-57odd Good Problem 4: #5.24, using Logic .pdf
    7 May 10 5:6 5.59-79odd
    May 11 5.8 5.89,5.93-109odd,5.113-133odd,5.136,5.137
    May 13 Review
    May 14 Test 3 on Total Probability, Bayes' Rule, 5:1-6, 5:8 
    8 May 17 6:1,6:2 6.1-7,6.9,6.11
    May 18 6:3 6.13-23odd
    May 20 6:4 6.25-37odd
    May 21 6:5,6:8 6.39-75odd Good Problem 5: #6.22 with a graph, using Graphs .pdf
    9 May 24 7:1,7:2 7.1-7odd
    May 25
    May 27 Review (alternative test at 4.10pm in Morton 122)
    May 28 Test 4 on 6:1-5, 6:8, 7:1, 7:2
    10 May 31 Memorial Day, no class
    June 1 7:3 7.9-25odd,7.29
    June 3 7:4,7:5 7.31,7.35-45odd
    June 4 Good Problem 6: #7.18, using Intros .pdf
    11  June 10 Final Exam 8-10am Thursday, in our classroom

    Martin J. Mohlenkamp
    Last modified: Fri Sep 3 13:53:46 EDT 2010