MATH 3342 (Lindquist), Fall 2021

Basic Information

Textbook

• Required: Probability and Statistics for Engineering and the Sciences (9th edition) by Jay L. Devore.
  Published by Cengage Learning, ISBN: 978-1-305-25180-9.
• Suggested: Student Solutions Manual by Matt Carlton.
  Published by Cengage Learning, ISBN: 978-01-305-26059-7.
  Contains detailed solutions to the odd-numbered problems.

Prerequisite

Calculus III (MATH 2450) is a prerequisite for the material in this course.

Syllabus

This course covers mathematical theory and methods of statistical inference. After introducing probability and distribution theory, these concepts are used to develop the main tools of statistical inference: estimation, confidence intervals, and hypothesis tests.

The specific syllabus with approximate timeline is as follows: redo classes by 2/3

• Chapter 1 (1.1-1.4): Descriptive statistics (3 classes)
• Chapter 2 (2.1-2.5): Probability (4 classes)
• Chapter 3 (3.1-3.6): Discrete random variables and probability distributions (4 classes)
• Chapter 4 (4.1-4.6): Continuous random variables and probability distributions (4 classes)
• Chapter 5 (5.3-5.5): Sampling distributions and the Central Limit Theorem (1 class)
• Chapter 6 (6.1): Point estimation (1 class)
• Chapter 7 (7.1-7.3): One-sample confidence intervals for means and proportions (3 classes)
• Chapter 8 (8.1-8.5): One-sample hypothesis tests for means and proportions (4 classes)
• Chapter 9 (9.1-9.4): Two-sample inference for means and proportions (3 classes)

Expected Learning Outcomes

Students will apply their calculus knowledge to learn the meanings of, and computational procedures relating to, basic statistical concepts used for making decisions in the sciences and engineering. In particular, students will:

• Understand the need to be wary of statistical claims, common pitfalls in sampling, and misrepresentation of conclusions.
• Understand the meanings of various statistical measures, including the mean, median, mode, standard deviation, variance, and quartiles.
• Become familiar with various graphical representations of data, and learn to recognize misleading graphs.
• Develop proficiency in real-world probability problems.
• Understand the concept of a probability distribution and real-world problems involving various distributions, including binomial, normal, hypergeometric, and Poisson distributions.
• Understand and apply the Central Limit Theorem.
• Compute and interpret confidence intervals.
• Conduct and interpret hypothesis tests.

Methods of Assessing the Expected Learning Outcomes

Continuous formative assessment of the progress of the course will occur via ongoing communication between the instructor and the students. To this end all students are encouraged to ask questions during class and to seek the instructor's help outside class.

The expected learning outcomes for the course will be assessed through: semester tests and a final exam, homework assignments, and class discussion. The course grade will be determined from homework sets (15%), three semester tests (20% each), and a comprehensive final exam (30%).

The traditional grading scale will be used:

• A: 90-100%
• B: 80-89%
• C: 70-79%
• D: 60-69%
• F: 0-59%

The grade weighting scheme allows for a maximum of 5% extra credit to be counted toward the overall grade.

Test dates are as follows (to be confirmed a week before the test):

• Test 1: After completion of Chapters 1 & 2 (~Sep 26). (Hwks 1 & 2 are due the midnight before.)
• Test 2: After completion of Chapters 3 & 4 (~Oct 26). (Hwks 3 & 4 are due the midnight before.)
• Test 3: After completion of Chapters 5, 6 & 7 (~Nov 16). (Hwks 5-6 & 7 are due the midnight before.)
• Final Exam: 7:30-10:00 AM (sorry!) Friday Dec 3. (Hwks 8 & 9 are due the midnight before.)

Test grades will be posted on WebAssign.

Homework Problem Sets

There will be chapter assignments due the night before the corresponding test covering the material, administered through the online grading system WebAssign.

Keep the following in mind:

• Randomized questions: Most questions are randomized for each individual student.
• Saving work/submitting answers:
  • Be sure to click on “Save Answer” each time you complete a question. You can then log out and return later to continue the assignment.
  • Click on “Submit Answer” only when you finish the whole question, which will then be graded.
  • You can also choose to “Save Assignment” and “Submit Assignment” at the bottom.
  • You may submit each question part a maximum of 3 times. The highest score of these 3 submissions will be recorded. The system may give helpful hints or links for incorrect questions.
• Open-ended questions: Some questions are open-ended and ask you to write or draw something. These cannot be checked very carefully by the automatic grading system, and thus almost anything you write or draw will be acceptable. Make an honest attempt at these questions since you will see them again on the tests, which are graded carefully.
• Numerical accuracy:
  • Some questions are very specific in asking for the answer correct to a certain number of decimal places. Do not round intermediate answers; round only when you get to the final answer.
  • Unless otherwise specified, give answers correct to 4 decimal places.
  • Some questions accept a range of accuracy. For example, if the exact p-value is 0.078, but the tables only show that it lies between 0.05 and 0.10, then any value in this range should be marked as correct.
• Communications tool: The Communications tool is disabled; do not attempt to communicate through the WebAssign system.
• Deadlines/Course pacing:
  • You are advised to complete each assignment within a week after finishing the corresponding chapter in class.
  • You will not be able to work on sets past the due date visible in WebAssign.
  • It is important to keep up with the pace of the course, which on average will require you to complete a homework assignment about every other week.

Instructions on Accessing WebAssign

Go to WebAssign and follow the instructions for self-enrolling with a class key as follows:

• Class Key: ttu 4606 9274.
• It is very important that you provide a genuine email address, such as your @ttu.edu address, upon registering.

Read the Student Quick Start Guide (PDF), which also explains different payment options for obtaining access. WebAssign also offers extensive online support.

Policies

• Class Attendance. Your attendance in class will not impact your grade, but missing exams and assignments will. Whether an exam or assignment absence is excused or unexcused is determined solely by the instructor, with the exception of absences due to religious observance and officially approved trips.
• Make-up Exams. May be granted in exceptional circumstances if you provide a valid excuse, such as a note from a physician or an obituary.
• Absence for observance of a religious holy day (TTU Operating Policy 34.19).
  1. “Religious holy day” means a holy day observed by a religion whose places of worship are exempt from property taxation under Texas Tax Code 11.20.
  2. A student who intends to observe a religious holy day should make that intention known to the instructor prior to the absence.
  3. A student who is excused may not be penalized for the absence; however, the instructor may respond appropriately if the student fails to complete the assignment satisfactorily.
• Absence due to officially approved trips. The Texas Tech University Catalog states that the department chairpersons, directors, or others responsible for a student representing the university on officially approved trips should notify the student's instructors of the departure and return schedules in advance of the trip. The instructor so notified must not penalize the student, although the student is responsible for material missed.
• Illness and Death Notification. The Center for Campus Life is responsible for notifying the campus community of student illnesses, immediate family deaths, and/or student death. The notification is provided as a courtesy and does not excuse a student from class, assignments, or any other course requirements.
• ADA accommodations (TTU Operating Policy 34.22). Any student who, because of a disability, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible. Students should present appropriate verification from Student Disability Services.
• Cell phones. Cell phones disrupt class. Please mute or turn them off in class. If you must use yours, leave the classroom.
• Academic Honesty (TTU Operating Policy 34.12). It is the aim of the faculty of Texas Tech University to foster a spirit of complete honesty and high standards of integrity. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, falsifying academic records, misrepresenting facts, and any act designed to give unfair academic advantage.
• Electronic Devices in Tests. Scientific calculators are permitted and necessary, but communication-capable devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops are forbidden during tests and exams.
• Collaboration.
  • Homeworks: Discussion with peers regarding course material is permitted and encouraged, but each person must write up their own solutions.
  • Tests: Any form of collaboration on tests is strictly forbidden and will not be tolerated.

Statistical Computing

In this course we will not use, but only mention, statistical computing software packages such as SAS, Minitab, SPSS, and R. Those wishing to learn and explore such packages can find further information here.