Mathematics-Statistics 150 provides an introduction to elementary probability and statistical methods.  The course begins with procedures for summarizing and describing data and progresses through elements of probability to an introduction to several areas of statistical inference including estimating population characteristics on the basis of sample information, testing hypotheses about population characteristics, exploring relationships among population characteristics and comparing characteristics of different populations.  Computer-based methods of statistical analysis will be introduced as necessary.
 

TEXT 

The text for the course is a work in production.  Text chapters will be available from the Trent University Bookstore as they are completed and as enrolments are known.  It is anticipated that the text will be distributed in five parts.  Initially, Chapters 1 through 3 will be available at the Bookstore.  There are corrections and additions to the chapters distributed prior to 1998/1999.  As well, exercise solutions and updated computer illustrations were added for 2000/01.   Used copies may be available and will be of use, but later chapters may not be complete and computer illustrations will be out of date. 
 

STUDENT BACKGROUND/RESOURCES

Mathematics: This course is an introduction to probability and statistics for students who are not strong in mathematics.  This course does NOT count towards a mathematics major and is not open to students who are enrolled in, or have credit for, Mathematics 110.  Although there is no formal prerequisite for the course, this is a course in quantitative methods and basic mathematical skills are required.  Students who consider themselves to be weak in numerical and general mathematical skills should consult the instructor or seek assistance from the Academic Skills Centre. 
Computing: Any previous computing experience will be useful for those parts of the course involving computer-based analyses. Familiarity with the Trent University computing facilities will be required early in the course.  Some data sets will be available electronically and some course information may be distributed electronically.  Students will obtain a Trent University computer account from Computing Services and should become familiar with the use of the facilities prior to the course-specific workshops.  Initial course-specific workshops will be presented in the workshop hours listed in the University Academic Timetable and on the dates listed below in the workshops schedule.  Each student may attend one one-hour introductory workshop.  Further instruction in course-related statistical software applications will be provided in class as necessary.  Course instruction will include an introduction to a statistical software product called Minitab which is accessible in the microcomputer labs.  A student edition of Minitab will be available through the bookstore.  Although Minitab will be demonstrated in class, students may use any statistical software that they wish for course work provided that they explain properly the results produced by the software.
Calculators: Due to the considerable amount of numerical work involved in this course, students should acquire a calculator with built-in statistical function keys.
 

COURSE STRUCTURE 

Lectures: There will be three lecture hours per week as indicated in the University Academic Timetable.  Lecture hours will be used for the presentation of course material and for questions related to the course material.  Lecture hours will be used for quizzes as well, as indicated below in the quiz schedule.  Students are responsible for all material covered in lectures and for all announcements made in lecture hours.  Students who miss classes must ensure that they determine what material was covered and what announcements were made in classes that they miss.
Workshops: There will be eight problems workshops through the year plus an introductory computer workshop.  The problems workshops will be used for discussion of the problems assigned in the course.  The computer workshop will be used to introduce statistical computer software.
 
 

MARKING SCHEME 
 
 

Problem Sets: There will be eight problem sets through the year, four per term.  Each problem set will contribute 5% of the final mark.	8 @ 5%	40%
Quizzes: There will be four in-class quizzes, two per term.  Each quiz will contribute 5% of the final mark.	4 @ 5%	20%
Final Examination: There will be a final three-hour examination.  The final examination will contribute 40% of the final mark*.	1 @ 40%	40%
		______ 100%

* Any student who obtains a mark on the final examination that is higher than the final mark produced by the weighting above will receive her/his examination mark as her/his final mark, provided that s/he has a complete term mark.  A student must submit solutions for all problem sets and write all quizzes to have a complete term mark!

QUIZ SCHEDULE
 

Quiz 1.........	Thursday, October 18		Quiz III.......	Thursday, February 14
Quiz II........	Thursday, December 6		Quiz IV.......	Thursday, March 28

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

For each workshop, each student will attend one hour in the time of her/his workshop group.  (Note the possible exception with Friday times for the computing workshop.)
 

Problem Set 1 Workshop.............	Tuesday, October 2 and Wednesday, October 3
Statistical Computing Workshop....	Tuesday, Oct. 9, Wednesday, Oct. 10 and Friday, Oct 12
Problem Set 2 Workshop.............	Tuesday, October 30 and Wednesday, October 31
Problem Set 3 Workshop..............	Tuesday, November 13 and Wednesday, November 14
Problem Set 4 Workshop..............	Tuesday, November 27 and Wednesday, November 28
Problem Set 5 Workshop..............	Tuesday, January 29 and Wednesday, January 30
Problem Set 6 Workshop..............	Tuesday, February 12 and Wednesday, February 13
Problem Set 7 Workshop..............	Tuesday, March 5 and Wednesday, March 6
Problem Set 8 Workshop..............	Tuesday, March 19 and Wednesday, March 20

PROBLEM SET DUE DATES

Problem set solutions may be submitted in class or may be submitted by 4:00 pm to the Instructor's office.  Late submissions should be approved, in advance, by the instructor.
 
 

Problem Set 1.....	Thursday,  October 11		Problem Set 5.....	Monday, February 4
Problem Set 2.....	Monday, November 5		Problem Set 6.....	Monday, February 25
Problem Set 3.....	Monday, November 19		Problem Set 7.....	Monday, March 11
Problem Set 4.....	Monday, December 3		Problem Set 8.....	Monday, March 25

 

Instructor	Office Hours	Secretary
E.A. Maxwell CC F30 748-1011x1417 eamaxwell@trentu.ca	Vary  from week to week but are posted each week on the instructor's office door.	Carolyn Johns LEC N126 748-1531 cjohns@trentu.ca

PLAGIARISM

Discussing problems and working out solutions with other students is a natural part of the learning process; however, students ultimately must be able to do problems themselves.  Students are expected to produce and to write up their own final solutions individually.  Copying from other students is plagiarism.  Students should note the following university statement on plagiarism.

Plagiarism is an extremely serious academic offence and carries penalties varying from failure in an assignment to debarment from the University.  Definitions, procedures and penalties for dealing with plagiarism are set out in Trent Universityís Policy on Plagiarism which is available on request from every department or college office or from the Registrarís office.

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