Math 40 - Statistics
About Statistics:
Statistics is the study of the collection, organization, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of data. We live in a data-driven society. In the past 10 years, we have collected 30 times more data than all the data prior to those 10 years - for all of history! We need to be able to understand and interpret all this data in meaningful and thoughtful ways.
By the end of the term, you will be informed citizens. You will have engaged in the kinds of day-to-day activities that statisticians do, such as research, thinking, reading, teaching, presenting, and using technology. Most importantly, I hope that by the end of the term, you will have learned to ask questions about the world and about statistics and data that news media, politics, and other sources cite. It is the asking of questions that drives statistical inference and good decision-making.
You will be challenged, but challenge and struggle are VITAL to learning. You must struggle with the concepts to be able to learn and understand them. I will be facilitating this struggle through active learning and group activities in Canvas. Your voice and perspective are vital to the entire class.
GUIDING QUESTIONS:
How do we gather “good” data?
Why is data collected and analyzed?
How do people use data to influence others?
How can predictions be made based on data?
MAJOR ASSUMPTIONS:
As human beings, we engage in research and information gathering — asking questions and pursuing strategies to answer those questions — every day.
If we are thoughtful and careful, we can use statistics to make connections about various systems, social structures, and scientific data in the world.
We are a data-driven society: most, if not all, decisions are made on analyzing data and drawing conclusions from the analysis. To make good decisions, we need to know how to analyze and properly draw conclusions.
Education doesn't have to be painful for us to learn. Learning can be fun; in fact, we probably learn best when our minds and bodies are actively engaged in the learning process.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon Completion of Math 40, a student should be able to:
build a frequency distribution for, and make a histogram of, quantitative data.
determine whether or not there is significant correlation for a bivariate data set, and if so, fit a linear regression equation and use it for data prediction.
perform the steps for a hypothesis test about a single population parameter and interpret the result.
solve an application problem using the central limit theorem.
use a computer program to make a graph of categorical data.
All the section numbers in the calendar are based on the OER textbook Math 40: Statistics and Probability.
The Calendar is a TENTATIVE schedule of the lessons and exams for the course during Fall 2024 semester.
The calendar is always subject to change, including the dates for exams (though I try to avoid moving exam dates).
You can change the format of the calendar to weekly, monthly, or by agenda (list) with the upper right options.
You can also add this calendar to YOUR Google calendar! Click the blue plus at the bottom right if you want this course calendar showing up in your personal Google Calendar.
This calendar should mimic the Canvas Calendar, but there could be some differences due to instructor error.
Why Take the Class?
Motivation
Is It Difficult?
Course Layout
What is Expected of Me?
Material, Content & Grades
Any Help?
Assistance Outside or Beyond Class
Change will not come if we wait for some other person, or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek. ~ Barack Obama
Media Credits:
Course Banner: Computer with Graphs, Photo by Carlos Muza on Unsplash
Children in Various Poses: Ashley McHale (my two kids at various ages)
Bottom Quote Background: Person holding a handful of Coins with Note "Make a Change", Photo by Kat Yukawa on Unsplash