STA10: Basic Statistics and Quantitative Literacy

Lectures:WF 8:30-9:45am Old Chemistry 116
Prof:Ioanna Manolopoulou TA: Daniel Heard
E-mail: im30@stat.duke.edu daniel.heard@duke.edu
Office: Old Chem 223C Old Chem 211a
OH:Wednesday 1:30-2:30pm SECC Schedule







Course: Materials and homeworks

Description

The media reports daily on studies concerning health, behavior, attitudes, beliefs, and scientific and technological discoveries. How does one understand the research methodology and statistical analyses upon which these discoveries are based? This course will make you a better-educated consumer of this reporting.

The course text is Seeing Through Statistics by Jessica Utts (Third Edition). All class materials are distributed online through this website. Grades will be returned to you via Blackboard. The course synopsis here.

Software

We will use RStudio for this course. You need to install R first. Please download the free software on your laptops.

Homework

Homework problems will be assigned each week, and it is expected that students will read the book and work problems as required to master the material. Must be legible, include name, and be stapled to receive credit. Late work will not be accepted.

Journal

Students will maintain a journal of press articles with synopses relating course materials to the article.

Quizzes

The quizzes will cover basic concepts from topics covered previously in class, the readings, and homework . They will provide students an incentive to keep up with the material and provide feedback to the instructor on whether students are doing so. Quizzes may or may not be announced ahead of time.

Resources

Statistical Education and Consulting Center (SECC) will have teaching assistants covering help sessions for 20-30 hours per week. You are expected to put in 6-8 hours of work outside of class. A few of you will do well with less time than this, and a few of you will need more.

Calculator

You will need a scientific calculator for this course. Bring the calculator to class sessions and all exams.


Important Dates

First Day of Class: Tuesday, Aug 30th
Add/Drop Deadline: Friday, Sept 9th
Midterm 1: Friday, Oct 14th
Fall Break: Friday, Oct 7th until Tuesday, Oct 11th
Midterm 2: Friday, Nov 18th
Thanksgiving: Tuesday, Nov 22nd until Sunday, 27th
Final Exam: Thursday, Dec 15th, 2-5pm

Grades

Grades will be assigned by a percentage system.

Homework:20%Due once a week
Journal:10%Due once a month
Quizzes:10%3-5 throughout the semester
Midterm 1:15%Friday, Oct 14th
Midterm 2:15%Friday, Nov 18th
Final Exam:30%Thursday, Dec 15th

Tentative Grading Scale 90-100% A; 80-90% B; 70-80% C; 55-70% D; below 55% F


Academic Integrity

Duke University is a community dedicated to scholarship, leadership, and service and to the principles of honesty, fairness, respect, and accountability. Citizens of this community commit to reflect upon and uphold these principles in all academic and non-academic endeavors, and to protect and promote a culture of integrity. Cheating on exams, plagiarism on homeworks and projects, lying about an illness or absence and other forms of academic dishonesty are a breach of trust with classmates and faculty, and will not be tolerated. They also violate Duke's Community Standard and will be referred to the Undergraduate Judicial Board (UJB).


Excused Absence

Students who miss tests due to a scheduled varsity trip, religious holiday or short-term illness should fill out an online NOVAP, RHoliday or short-term illness form respectively and will be given the grade of their Final Exam for those tests.

Those with a personal emergency or bereavement should seek a Dean's Excuse; check with your academic dean for details, and see me as soon as possible after your return to schedule make-up work. Duke does not issue Dean's Excuses for short-term incapacitating illness; if you are too ill to complete an assignment, inform me as soon as possible using the online Illness Form, and see me to make arrangements to make up the missed work.

Note that the Community Standard sanctions apply for abuse of this procedure.


Late Homework

Late homework will not be accepted, but the final homework grade will be calculated dropping your worst homework.


Grading Errors

Although every effort will be made to mark your work accurately, sometimes grading mistakes happen. If you believe that an error has been made on an in-class problem or exam, return the paper to the instructor immediately, stating your claim in writing.

The following claims will be considered for re-grading:

Considering re-grades takes up valuable time and resources that TAs and the instructor would rather spend helping you understand material. Please be considerate and only bring claims of the above types!