Math 320 - Elementary Probability and Statistics - Spring 2001

[Tacoma Narrows Bridge]

Course description and prerequisite:

An elementary introduction to probability and statistics. Discrete and continuous random variables, mean and variance, hypothesis testing and confidence limits, nonparametric methods, Student's T, analysis of variance, regression and contingency tables. Prerequisite: Math 131. Credit 3 units.

Links:

Course Schedule
Example Spreadsheets
Homework Assignments     (Including answers for HW7, HW8, HW12, and HW13)
Copies of tests              (Including answers for Exam 2 and Exam 3)
Notes about using Excel or a calculator
Mathematics Department Home Page
Washington University Home Page

NOTE:

The final will be open book and notes. This does not mean that you don't have to study, however: You may not be able to find what you need when you need it unless you are very familiar with it already.
Answers for HW13 and Exam 3 have been posted (see above). Check also the Math320 bulletin board for answers.
HW13 and Exam 3 (for Section 2) have been returned. Exam 3 for Section 1 will be returned soon.
The final will be Tuesday, May 8, 6-8 PM in rooms
Section 1 - Cupples I Rm 207
Section 2 - Duncker Rm 101
These are the same rooms as the regular classes.

Examinations:
Tests will be given in class on

Friday, February 9
Friday, March 23      and
Friday, April 27
The Final Examination is scheduled for Tuesday, May 8, 6-8 PM

Missed exams:

No make-ups exams will be given for these tests. Excused absences from any of these tests must be obtained from the professor of your section prior to the examination, or else medical excuses from the health service must be taken directly to the mathematics office in Room 100, Cupples I. Excused missing exam scores will be determined by a linear regression based on your other tests and the final exam. Unexcused absence from an exam will result in a score of zero on that exam.

Textbook:

A Data-Based Approach to Statistics, by Ronald L. Iman. Published by Duxbury Press, 1994.
NOTE: The answers to most odd-numbered problems are in the back of the book.

Sections:

There are two sections of Math 320, each following approximately the same lesson schedule with the same text and homework assignments. Tests will be different between the two sections, but will be written and graded jointly. Students must take the examinations of the section in which they are registered.

Section 1:    Meets MWF 10-11     Cupples I Room 207
J. Herdlick
 Office:  Cupples I  Room 12
Phone: 935-4737        
 Email: jd@math.wustl.edu
Office hours:    MWF 11-12

Section 2:    Meets MWF 12-1     Duncker Room 101
S. Sawyer
 Office:  Cupples I  Room 107
Phone: 935-6703        
 Email: sawyer@math.wustl.edu
Office hours:    MWF 2-3 usually, but warn the professor in advance

Homework and Background:

There will be a homework assignment due every Friday, starting with the Friday of the second week of classes, January 26. Homework assignments can be printed from the Math 320 Homework Web Page. Homework must be handed in before 5:00 PM on the due date to the receptionist in the math office (Cupples I Room 100). Homework will be returned to the Math 320 ``pidgeon hole'' boxes near the West end of the main floor hallway in Cupples I. The lowest homework score will be dropped, so that the total homework score will be based on all homework grades but one.
This course will follow the guidelines set down under the Statement of Student Academic Integrity on page 22 of the University Course Listings for Spring 2000.
You are encouraged to form groups to study the material and to work on homework problems. However, any work that you hand in must be your own. This means that even if you figured out how to do the problem with the help of others, you must then write up your homework on your own.
In accordance with Guideline 2 of the academic integrity statement, acknowledge at the top of your paper all the people with whom you worked on any problem in the assignment. Suspected violation of these guidelines will be referred to the Committee on Academic Integrity.
If you elect ``Credit/No Credit,'' then a grade of Cr means D or better.

WARNING:

Make a copy of each homework before you hand it in!!
It may not be returned before you need it, if you want to refer to it for the next homework (or for a test).

Using a Computer:

The computer program Excel will be used on homework assignments during the course. This program is available on every PC and Mac in the Arts & Sciences computer lab and in the South 40 computer areas. Excel is a part of Microsoft Office, which is often preinstalled on new computers. If you want to install and use it on your personal computer, first check that it is not on your computer already. Otherwise, you can purchase a copy of Excel at the bookstore for about $100.  Microsoft Office itself sells for around $200, with academic discount.
See Notes for using Excel in Math320 for some hints about using Excel. In general, a good way to get started is to jump right in and use the online help. See the first homework assignment. The Notes are intended for you to read them through quickly so that you can try things out yourself. Use the Special Effects in the Notes with care, since your homework may become too cluttered to read easily and the grader may take off points.

Calculators:

You will also need a calculator for this course. Calculators can be used on examinations and will be used on some homework problems. The TI-83 used in Math 131 has all the features that will be needed. If you don't already own this calculator and would prefer to get by with the bare minimum, you can try the Sharp EL-546L, available at the bookstore for about $20. If you have a fancier calculator, then you are welcome to use it. It will be a serious disadvantage not to have and use a calculator at least at the level of the EL-546L. A calculator will be an essential tool throughout the course.

Cribsheets and Calculators:

Calculators, but not laptop or notebook computers, can be used during examinations. In addition, a cribsheet (a single 8 1/2 by 11 sheet of paper) will be permitted on all examinations.

Grading:

There will be 13 graded homeworks, three hourly examinations, and a cumulative final examination. The hourly exams will count 15% each, the final will count 35%, and the homework 20%. Letter grade boundaries will be determined for both sections together at the end of the course.

Approximate Course Schedule for Math 320 (Spring 2001):
Week: Days: Sections in Textbook:
1. Jan 17, 19 1.1-1.3,  2.1-2.2
2. Jan 22-26 2.3-2.4,  3.1-3.3
3. Jan 29-31, Feb 2 4.1-4.4
4. Feb 5-9 *** 5.1-5.2
5. Feb 12-16 5.3-5.5,  6.1
6. Feb 19-23 6.1-6.3
7. Feb 26-28, Mar 2     6.5,  7.1-7.2
8. Mar 5-9 7.3-7.4, 8.1
Spring Break Mar 12-16 No classes
9. Mar 19-23 *** 8.2,  9.1
10. Mar 26-30 9.2-9.4
11. Apr 2-6 10.1-10.3,  11.1-11.2
12. Apr 9-13 12.1-12.2,  13.1
13. Apr 16-20 13.1,  13.3-13.4
14. Apr 23-27 *** 15.1-15.2,  15.3 (pp717-721)
Reading Period   Apr 30, May 1-2
Final Exam Tuesday May 8,   6-8 PM
Finals Week May 3-10
*** Hourly exam on Friday of this week

Links:

Top of this page
Homework Assignments
Mathematics Department Home Page
Washington University Home Page

Last modified May 5, 2001