Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Fall 2018 243 syllabus

Syllabus

MTH 243 – Statistics 1

The syllabus introduces you to the goals of the course and how we will be working together this term. Please read it carefully, and contact me if you need further clarification.

Course Information:

• Course Title: Statistics 1
• CRN: 46332, 43591
• Credits: 5
• Term: Fall 2018

Instructor Information:

• Instructor: Jennifer S. Ward
  • You can address me as Jennifer or Mrs. Ward or another respectable name from your culture, whichever you’re most comfortable with. 🙂
• Preferred Email: use the D2L /Brightspace email system in this class: jennifer.ward2, which can be done from the Classlist
• Alternative Email: use MyPCC email: jennifer.ward2@pcc.edu
• Phone: 971-722-3713 (Voicemail at PCC)
• Alternative Phone: 503-208-5224 (Google Voice)
  • Google voice is the fastest way to get a hold of me. Call or text! You can call from any phone number and text me from any any cell phone — you don’t need a Google Voice number yourself. If I’m sleeping I probably won’t answer, generally between 10pm and 8 am.
• Office Location: Virtual Office in the “Zoom Room” (see link in each module)
• Office Hours: message me to set these up 🙂
• Address: Portland Community College – Cascade Campus, P.O. Box 19000, Portland, OR 97280-0990, or the physical address is: 705 N. Killingsworth St. Portland, OR 97217.
• Phone number to main Cascade Campus: 971-722-6111
• Phone number to Cascade Math Department: 971-722-5578
• Time zone: All dates and times are based on the Pacific Time zone because PCC is located in Portland, Oregon, USA.

Course Description

This course introduces displaying data with graphs, numerical descriptions of data, producing data, elementary probability, probability distributions, confidence intervals and significance testing. Investigates applications from science, business, and social science perspectives. PCC’s MTH 243 CCOG. Here’s an outline of what this course covers. 

This course will be structured in modules that are 1-3 chapters long. Within each module you’ll want to read each page, complete learning activities, use the discussion boards, complete a quiz, and do homework.

Instructional Approach

While the course is not self-paced, you do have to manage your time. There is an expectation that you will read, do, and learn on your own, and you will get help when needed. If you can’t ask questions when you need help, an online class may not be the best fit for your learning. I realize this may come across as pretty harsh! I only say this because on many occasions students have said they wished they’d taken the class in person because they learned better with a teacher in front of them. I’m here to help you succeed and my first step is making sure that an online class is what you need. That being said, I am really excited to help you when you need it! Please make the effort to reach out for help, even for “little” questions. 😀

Due dates for each week’s assignments will be listed within the module itself, as well as in the Course Calendar. All due times at 11:59 pm. Assignments within the modules may direct students to use many of the tools contained in D2L /Brightspace, including the Assignments, Discussions, and MyStatLab. These tools will be accessible both from within the weekly content modules, as well as from the course navigation bar.

Communication Guidelines

Best Way to Contact Me

Communicate by using the D2L /Brightspace e-mail system which can be accessed from the course navigation. You can use D2L /Brightspace e-mail to send a private e-mail to your instructor and/or classmates. Emails sent in D2L /Brightspace arrive to PCC Gmail. More information about the new email can be found here.

If your question or comment would be of interest to other students, please post it to the Discussions area. This way other participants can help answer questions, and all participants will benefit from the answers. Please refer to the information on “netiquette” in the introductory module for guidelines governing the content of written communications. Your first communication assignment is to introduce yourself in the discussion topic “Introductions.”

Please look at the beginning of the syllabus for other means of contacting me.

Response from Instructor

I will be checking email in D2L /Brightspace numerous times (2-80) per day on weekdays. Email sent on weekdays will be answered within 24 hours. I usually check email once a day on the weekends and get back to you within 24 hours, too. I try to get back to students as quickly as possible (within a few hours) because I want you to keep on progressing. Late evening/night emails will usually get answered the next morning.

If I am out of town some for some reason, which may affect my ability to check emails, I’ll let you know in advance.

If for some reason you don’t hear back from your instructor within 24 hours, send another message, or try a different form of communication.

Learning Outcomes

Statistics is unlike other math classes because there is a lot of reading comprehension and a lot of ‘gray area’, meaning there often isn’t ONE black-and-white answer (sometimes there is, though!) By taking this class you can expect to:

• Analyze data and graphs in real world scenarios to recognize what probability and statistics are appropriate, formulate problems about the scenarios, creatively model these scenarios (using technology, if appropriate) in order to solve the problems using multiple approaches, then judge if the results are reasonable and clearly interpret the results via written or oral communication.
• Appreciate probability and statistics concepts that are encountered in the real world, understand and be able to communicate the underlying mathematics involved to help another person gain insight into the situation.
• Calculate and interpret scenarios using probability and statistics in various situations and use correct mathematical terminology, notation, and symbolic processes in order to be prepared for future coursework and to continue a course of study in their major field that requires the use of and an understanding of the concepts of probability and statistics.
• Read a peer reviewed journal article and communicate in writing the meaning and logical implications behind the statistical processes of a confidence interval and a significance test.

Course Prerequisites

MTH 95 (or equivalent) or MTH 98, & placement into WR 121

Since this is an online class, the ability to use a computer, download files, navigate websites, check email, use a word processing program (such as Word), and to know when to ask for technical help are essential skills to have. When having technical issues, you contact the Student Help Desk (they’re great!) or your instructor ASAP.

Instructional Materials

Textbook/Software

(Required) MyStatLab Student Access Kit: This access code unlocks an online textbook, homework, and quizzes.

(Optional) Stats: Data and Models, 4th ed., 2016, by DeVeaux, Velleman, and Bock. You can purchase a used copy or buy a copy via MyStatLab.

Here are some options for purchasing the learning materials in this class

• Buy the MyStatLab access code in the bookstore
• Buy the MyStatLab access code online when you register with MyStatLab

I hear from many former students that they like to have a physical book to look through because it’s so much faster to flip through, you can take notes in the book easily, and you don’t need to be by a computer to read your book.

Participation Expectations

• Students in this course are expected to enter the course at least 5 times a week to work on the modules, check email, and participate in discussions. Prompt participation in discussions is especially important when group work is involved since others in your group are depending on your input. Each time you log into the course be sure to check for any new announcements, email and discussion messages, and calendar postings.
• This is a college class so you are expected to communicate like a college student: use complete sentences, use capital letters when necessary, proper punctuation, use good grammar, etc.. You will be marked down for not using good English rules in any/all of your coursework, even if there is no stated points for good English given in the assignment directions. Since WR 121 placement is a pre-req for this course, you will be help up to the writing standards of a pre-WR 121 student.
• All dates and times are based on the Pacific Time zone because PCC is located in Portland, Oregon, USA. If you do not live in the Pacific Time Zone you need to be aware of due dates that will be changed because of the time zone shift. Also, take into account daylight saving time, depending on the time of year and location where you’re taking this class (e.g. Arizona).

Activities, Assignments and Assessments

BIG GIANT CLARIFICATION:

• D2L uses the word “Assignments” as a very specific type of work: something you upload and turn in, which is found in the top menu bar of the course.
• Your instructor uses the word “Assignments” very loosely: something you do and get a grade on. Some of the course assignments are found in the Assignments link in the top menu bar, but other Assignments are found through the link to Discussions. I’ve numbered the assignments consecutively, and they WON’T necessarily match the module number.

Homework

Purpose

The goal of homework is to have you practice your skills in a low pressure situation. For example, you can attempt the questions more than once. Homework will be assigned for each chapter. Much of your time will be spent doing homework. A calculator (the TI-84 “family of calculators” is your instructor’s favorite calculator), Excel, or other technology (e.g. StatCrunch) will be be useful to do large numbers of computations. Don’t be afraid to use technology when completing your work. While it makes sense that you’ll want to be able to do the work by hand, at some point you’ll want to save time and effort and do your calculations on a calculator, using Excel, or with StatCrunch (my favorite).

How to complete your work

Homework will be completed using an online website called MyStatLab. You access the online textbook, homework, and quizzes via the Student Access code that you bought at the bookstore (which can also be bought online.) You can get a 14-day free trial to MyStatLab so if you don’t have the money now you can still start learning. Read the Student_Registration_Handout_ward79315.pdf handout to learn how to register for MyStatLab.

To access the homework you’ll click on the link to MyStatLab in the top navigation bar of the class, or bookmark the website in your browser.

Scoring

You’ll often have multiple attempts to answer questions and you’ll be graded on correctness. Should you have questions about the fairness of your grade (e.g. your answer is slightly off) you are encouraged to contact your instructor to ask for clarification and possibly even have points returned back to you!

Academic Integrity at PCC

You’re allowed to have help completing the homework in this class but the work and effort must be yours. You must do your own work and submit only your own work. You may collaborate and cooperate with other students, and receive help from external sources (faculty, tutors, friends, parents, websites, videos, etc.) Paying (or not paying 😉 ) another person to complete your homework is cheating and is a violation of the Academic Integrity Policy here at PCC.

Assignments

Purpose

There will be near-weekly assignments for you to complete in this class. The task will vary from week to week, depending on the content that we’ll be covering. Some assignments are discussions where you’ll discuss ideas and homework problems with your peers. Learning from your peers can be very valuable! Other assignments will have you do work by hand to be turned in and graded by your instructor.

You’ll receive feedback on these assignments so be sure to look for it so you can make improvements and continue learning.

How to complete your work

Discussion assignments can be found using the Discussions link in the top menu bar. You’ll reply to the prompt and reply to your classmates, depending on the directions of the assignment.

Assignments can be found using the Assignments link in the top menu bar. You’ll complete the work and then upload your .docx or .pdf, or give a link to your GoogleDoc, to turn in your work.

Scoring

Assignments are graded based on multiple factors like correctness of your answer, how thoroughly you show your work, following the directions, among other things. Each assignment will have details about how it will be graded. You’ll earn partial credit if you have a wrong answer because you’ll be graded on multiple factors.

Academic Integrity at PCC

You’re allowed to have help completing the assignments in this class but the work and effort must be yours. You must do your own work and submit only your own work. You may collaborate and cooperate with other students, and receive help from external sources (faculty, tutors, friends, parents, websites, videos, etc.) Paying (or not paying 😉 ) another person to complete your assignments is cheating and is a violation of the Academic Integrity Policy here at PCC.

Quizzes

Purpose

Quizzes will be used as a summative assessment of your learning. These are more “high stakes” than the homework as you only have 2 chances to show your learning.

How to complete your work

Quizzes will cover a few chapters at a time, and will be similar to the homework questions. You’ll complete the quizzes in MyStatLab.Some quizzes will have you upload your shown work – your shown work will get uploaded to the Assignments tab of D2L Brightspace.

Scoring

Quizzes will be graded on correctness. If you are asked to show your work then your quiz will be graded on multiple factors like correctness of your answer, how thoroughly you show your work, following the directions, among other things. Each assignment will have details about how it will be graded. You’ll earn partial credit if you have a wrong answer because you’ll be graded on multiple factors. The highest of the two quiz scores will be entered into the gradebook. You CAN review your quizzes between attempts. To do so, you’ll look at the MyStatLab grade book (not D2L’s) to see your quiz attempts.

Academic Integrity at PCC

You’re NOT allowed to have help completing the quizzes in this class but the work and effort must be yours. You must do your own work and submit only your own work. You may NOT collaborate and cooperate with other students. You MAY use your textbook, homework, other class assignments, websites, and videos to help you will complete the quizzes. Paying (or not paying 😉 ) another person to complete your quizzes is cheating and is a violation of the Academic Integrity Policy here at PCC.

Midterms & Finals

Purpose

The midterm(s) and a final will be used as a summative assessment of your learning. These are more “high stakes” than the homework as you only have 1 chance to show your learning. There will be two midterms: an in-class midterm and a take home midterm. The take-home midterm will be similar to the proctored in-class midterm except that you’re doing it from the comfort of the non-classroom. 🙂

The midterms and final are unlike the homework in that you’ll write out your answers long-hand and show your work. There are very little multiple choice or true/false questions (if any).

How to complete your work

Two exams will take place on the Cascade campus: a midterm and a final exam. Plan your work/life schedule accordingly so you can make it to the test. You get a lot of flexibility in this class, but the midterm and final exam times are not as flexible because we’re trying to schedule 25 people for the same day and time. If this poses undue hardship to you, contact your instructor as she’s willing to listen and create a plan that works for you and her.

• Midterm (in-class):
  • Saturday October 27th, 9-10:30am or 10:30am – noon (two choices), MCTEB 226 on the Cascade Campus
• Final:
  • Tentatively Tuesday, Dec 11th, 10am – noon or noon – 2pm (2 choices) on the Cascade Campus

See the Test Proctoring page if you are not able to make it to the in-class midterm or final because you live out of state. Proctor forms are due by the end of the second week of the term, to ensure you have a spot reserved for your test.

Scoring

Your midterm(s) and final will be graded on multiple factors like correctness of your answer, how thoroughly you show your work, following the directions, among other things. You’ll earn partial credit if you have a wrong answer because you’ll be graded on multiple factors.

Academic Integrity at PCC

Students must follow all written and/or verbal instructions given by instructors or designated college representatives prior to taking examinations, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and evaluations. On the midterm(s) and/or final, you are only able to use the tools that are explicitly allowed and stated on the midterm and final information pages. Paying (or not paying) another person to complete your midterm(s) and/or final is cheating and is a violation of the Academic Integrity Policy here at PCC.

Reality Check

Out in the real world, you won’t see “questions” worded just like a textbook problem.

Learn to be comfortable with the uncomfortable — the wording and phrasing of questions on the homework, tests, assignments, etc WILL vary. Everything you’ll be asked to do aligns with the outcomes of the course, not the phrasing of the textbook (or homework). “I didn’t understand the question” is not an excuse for you to stop thinking and give up! Use this as an opportunity to ask for help and learn the same content from a different perspective. Persevere! Rise to the challenge and overcome the speed bumps in the road. 🙂

Evaluation of Assignments/Assessments

Grades are based on your written assignments, quiz and exam results, and the quality of your participation in class discussions. I will send feedback on assignments and post grades within one week after the due date. Be sure to look at your Assignments and quizzes after they have been graded in order to read feedback and improve for next time.

Grading Criteria:

Assignments will be weighted according to the following breakdown. Also, you can see how each individual assignment will contribute to your overall grade. Don’t get too focused on points — pay attention to the weight of the category and graded item.

Category	% of Grade for the Category	Number of Assignments	Points per Graded Item	Each graded item is worth about ___% of your final class grade
Day 1	1%	3	20	0.33%
Assignments/ Discussions	14%	7 (but 1 dropped)	20	2.3%
Homework	10%	12 (but 2 dropped)	varies (but recorded as a % in D2L/Brightspace)	1%
Quizzes	15%	5 (but 1 dropped)	varies (but recorded as a % in D2L/Brightspace)	3.75%
Midterms	In-class: 20% Take home: 10%	1 of each	~100 (but recorded as a % in D2L/Brightspace)	10%, 20%
Final	30%	1	~100 (but recorded as a % in D2L/Brightspace)	30%
Total	100%	N/A	N/A	N/A

Using the last column of the table, you can see that each quiz is only worth about 3.75% of your final grade, whereas an assignment/discussion is worth about 2.3%. If you’re in a pinch, it might be best to do better on your quiz because it’s worth more to your overall score than a quiz.

Grading Scale:

Letter Grade	Grading Scale by Percentage
A	89.5 – 100%
B	79.5 – 89.4%
C	69.5 – 79.4%
D	59.5 – 69.4%
Pass	69.5% or higher
F (or NoPass)	< 59.5%

Late Work & Make-up Policy

• Late Policy – Read this carefully!
  • To accommodate for sickness and “life”, your lowest quiz score, two lowest homework scores, and one assignment/discussion scores will be dropped. The dropping of lowest scores begins right away, so look for the word dropped or a greyed out score. For the first couple of weeks of the term you won’t have much of a grade because all of your assignments will be the lowest, and thus dropped. The dropped scores will also switch between assignments as the term progresses depending on which assignments have the lowest score (scores are compared by percentage.)
  • MyStatLab will take off 10% of your score for HOMEWORK problems turned in after the due date. It’s not the entire assignment that loses points, only the problems completed after the due date. You’ll have one week after the due date to complete your work, otherwise you’ll earn 0% credit.**
  • Quizzes will also get a 10% penalty for being turned in late. You’ll have one week after the due date to complete your work, otherwise you’ll earn 0% credit.**
  • Assignments can be turned in late for a 10% penalty, if they are turned in within a week of the due date.**
  • Discussions can be turned in late for a 25% penalty, if they are turned in within a week of the due date.**
  • Did you improve your homework grade or take a quiz after your score was put into D2L Brightspace? If so, email your teacher to get your score corrected. Your instructor is not going to check for updated scores once scores have been moved into D2L.
• There is no make-up for the Midterm(s) without prior approval. If you’re having your test proctored you need to do so within 1 business day of the in-class test.
• In general, extra credit is not given in this class to make up for a poor performance on prior assignments. (Be motivated to do well on the assignments given to you, and not extra work.)
• If I find work that is above and beyond in quality and is just plain awesome, I do give away a bonus point or two. 🙂
• No make-ups on the final, except in extraordinary circumstances.
• **All assignments, late or not, must be turned in on/by Friday before the final exam.

These policies may be adjusted in extreme circumstances.

Registration policy and Deadlines for the term

Student is responsible to add/ drop/ withdraw class. Please review PCC Registration Policy for more information.

Add and Drop Deadlines

Students need to drop (8-12 week classes) by the end of the first week of classes, by Friday for in person or Saturday via MyPCC from 7am to 10pm.

Payment Deadlines

Payment is due two weeks before the start of the term. If you enroll after that date, payment is due immediately. Bills are issued beginning three weeks before the term. You can see your balance or access your bill online in the MyPCC Paying for College tab. Please review PCC Payment Policy for more information.

Academic Integrity (rules about cheating, plagiarism, or sharing work)

Students are required to complete this course in accordance with the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.  Cheating includes any attempt to defraud, deceive, or mislead the instructor in arriving at an honest grade assessment, and may include copying answers from other students or using unauthorized notes during tests. Plagiarism is a particular form of cheating that involves presenting as one’s own the ideas or work of another, and may include using other people’s ideas without proper attribution and submitting another person’s work as one’s own. Dishonest activities such as cheating on exams and submitting or copying work done by others will result in disciplinary actions including but not limited to receiving a failing grade. For further information, review the institution’s Academic Integrity Policy.

Code of Student Conduct

Follow this link for more information about PCC’s official policy regarding student conduct.

Internet Etiquette (or Netiquette)

Click here for more information about Netiquette.

Accessibility

“PCC is committed to supporting all students. If you plan to use academic accommodations for this course, please contact your instructor as soon as possible to discuss your needs. Accommodations are not retroactive; they begin when the instructor receives the “Approved Academic Accommodations” letter from you (submitted in person for courses on campus; via email for Distance Learning courses). To request academic accommodations for a disability, please contact a disability services counselor on any PCC campus. Office locations, phone numbers, and additional information may be located on the Disability Services website.

Title IX/Non-Discrimination statement

Portland Community College is committed to creating and fostering a learning and working environment based on open communication and mutual respect. If you believe you have encountered sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual assault, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, national origin, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability please contact the Office of Equity and Inclusion at (971) 722-5840 or equity.inclusion@pcc.edu.

I’m happy to talk with you about your religious holidays/observances and how they may impact the deadlines in this course, if that is helpful to you.

Sanctuary College

PCC is a sanctuary college.  For more information and resources, see www.pcc.edu/resources/undocumented-students/.

Flexibility

The instructor reserves the right to modify course content and/or substitute assignments and learning activities in response to institutional, weather or class situations.