Statistics

Statistics is the science of collecting, organizing, analyzing, and interpreting data. Statistical literacy is an essential skill that enables people to understand and make sensible decisions based on the analysis of numerical information.

Course Objectives:

To introduce students to the methods and philosophy of the mathematical sciences, specifically those involved with probability and statistics.
To introduce students to the mathematical science of statistics from a liberal arts perspective. i.e., we will show how the ability to think statistically will help to answer questions in a variety of areas that are useful to everyone.
To help students develop logical, analytical, and abstract thinking through quantitative problem-solving activities. This semester we will spend much of our time addressing real-world problems using the methods we discuss. The goal is to show that statistics is a valuable tool that we can use in order to answer many of the questions we deal within our lives.
To integrate student use of the computer as a tool in the pursuit of the above two objectives. We will have three computer projects that will begin to show you that the computer can be used to significantly reduce the work on our part. While this is helpful, it is also important to understand the methods the computer is using, so that we know how to interpret the results.
To cover a variety of basic methods that will form a foundation that students may build on in courses for their major as they discover additional methods that are used regularly there. This course is not intended to teach each of you all the methods that you will find useful in your area of study, but simply to provide a firm foundation of probability and an understanding of statistical thought that will allow you to understand more complicated methods as you come across them.

Course Content:

Basic overview and data classification
Descriptive statistics
Study design and data collection
Probability
Confidence intervals (if time permits)
Hypothesis testing (if time permits)
Correlation and regression

You are REQUIRED to have a graphing calculator for this course!
I recommend the TI-83/84. I use the TI-84 for all class examples. If you use a calculator other than the TI-83/84 you are responsible for learning how to use it. We use the calculator just about every day in class ... it is a must!

Homework will be assigned daily. It is your responsibility to complete the assignment and be prepared to review it the following school day. It will come in paper format or on Schoology. You can receive up to 5 points on each unit test for completing your homework.

Grades will be weighted as follows:

Unit Tests & Projects – 50%
Quizzes – 30%
Final Exam – 20%

The resources for this course can be found online on Schoology. On https://saugatuckps.schoology.com you will find all of the notes (by chapter) that are used in the classroom each day on PowerPoint. You will also find the daily assignments and any resources that will help you succeed in this class. Parents can gain access to their students' Schoology account by going to https://sites.google.com/saugatuckps.com/parent-tech-box/schoology.