Math 143 C/E
Probability and Statistics
Spring, 2001

Learning Aids

Information about the course

Class Meetings
Our class meets on MWThF, section C at 10:30-11:20 am and section E at 2:30-3:20 pm. Generally our meeting place is NH 295, though some Thursdays we will meet in the computer lab NH 180.

The Professor
My homepage has the location of my office, my office hours, how to contact me, etc.

Course Objectives
Here are some of the specific objectives I hold for students in this course.

Textbook
Our textbook is Moore & McCabe's Introduction to the Practice of Statistics, which I will refer to as IPS. You are expected to read your textbook (follow the link for further details). The specific sections to read are posted on the course calendar. You should read a section on the date it appears, writing your answers to the accompanying discussion questions. We will generally talk about those answers during the next class session.

Group Work
My hope is that you will study with fellow classmates. Read my thoughts on why this is a good idea and how to do so with integrity.

Technology
A good deal of computer use is required of you in the course. This ranges from use of the internet to obtain assignments and to check email regularly for messages pertinent to the course, to running statistical software packages like java applets or Minitab.

There are two ways to send emails to other members of the class. The first is by means of the class listserv math143c@calvin.edu or math143e@calvin.edu (depending upon which section you are in). A message sent to one of these addresses will be received by the professor and all members of the class. You may be more discriminatory about who gets your message by working from the “Communication—Send E-mail” section of Blackboard.

While I plan to email you your approximate grade at several stages during the semester, you should regularly monitor the scores that are being recorded for you on assignments by visiting the “Tools—Check Grade” section of Blackboard. Any discrepancies you notice should be brought to my attention.

Grades
Your grade will be determined from a combination of homework assignments, quizzes, labs, participation (attendance, contribution to classroom discussions and in-class group activities, etc.), the reading report, in-class exams and the final exam. While the exact weight of each component is yet to be determined, you may expect that roughly 60%-75% of your grade will come from the exams. While I reserve the right of flexibility in determining a final grading scale, you may be assured of it being no more stringent than the so-called “straight-scale” of 90-100% for an A, 80-89% B, 70-79% C and 60-69% D (with pluses and minuses assigned to scores towards the top and bottom of these ranges respectively). Here is more information about exams.

Accomodations
Calvin will make reasonable accomodations for individuals with documented disabilities. Students should notify the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities located in Student Academic Services, HH 455. Students should also notify me within the first two weeks of the Spring semester.

Citizenship
Mathematics is difficult enough for most of us to learn when there are no distractions. Please do your part in making the classroom environment one conducive for learning by arriving for class on time, refraining from frivolous talk when someone is saying something that might promote learning (even if it will not promote learning for you), and actively participating in in-class discussions/activities.

This page maintained by: Thomas L. Scofield
Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Calvin College