Textbooks

Devore, J. L. and Peck, R. L. (2008), Statistics, The Exploration and Analysis of Data, Sixth Edition, Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Elliott, Rebecca J. (2000), Learning SAS in the Computer Lab, Second Edition, Pacific Grove, CA: Books/Cole.

Statistical Packages & Computing

SAS and MINITAB will be used extensively throughout the course. Assignments and course announcements will be sent to you via e-mail or posted on the course web page. Data sets and programs will be placed in P:\Data\Math\Hartlaub\DataAnalysis. Proper maintenance of computer accounts, files, etc. is your responsibility.

Our class meets in a computer equipped classroom, and we will be using statistical software extensively in the course. During regular class hours, the use of computers is restricted to students enrolled in the course. Furthermore, the use of the computers is also restricted to activities deemed appropriate by the instructor. Playing computer games, reading e-mail, conversing in a chat room, surfing the web, and working on assignments for other courses are a few examples of inappropriate activities that can be distracting to the instructor and other students in the course. Inappropriate computer use may result in penalties ranging from warnings to loss of computer privileges for the period. In cases of extreme and/or repeated violations, grade penalties or expulsion from the course may result.

Learning Disabilities and Math Anxieties

If you have a disability and feel that you may have need for some type of academic accomotation(s) in order to participate fully in this class, please feel free to discuss your concerns with me in private and also self identify yourself to Erin Salva, Coordinator of Disability Services at PBX 5453 or via e-mail at salvae@kenyon.edu.

Homework

Homework assignments will be given throughout the semester. I encourage you to work on as many problems as possible, including problems which have not been assigned. Subsets of the homework assignments will be collected and graded. Working with other students is encouraged, but each student must submit her/his own solution for problems to be collected.

Late Policy

Your work must be turned in at the beginning of the class period on the assigned due date. No credit will be given for late papers. If for any reason you cannot turn in your paper on the assigned date, you must contact me or send e-mail to hartlaub@kenyon.edu before class.

Exams

Small Group Project

You will be asked to solve a practical data analysis problem with at least one other member of the class. A written component (paper or poster) and/or an oral presentation to the class will be required. The deadlines and more detailed instructions on the project will be announced in class.

Final Project

Each student will find a data set and apply an appropriate analysis. Ideally, this data set will be one which you collect yourself or obtain from a local resource. That is, I encourage you to design and conduct your own experiment. The variables in the data set and the purpose of the study must be clearly defined. If the data is obtained from a periodical, the date of publication must be later than January 1, 2005. Summaries of your proposed analysis must be submitted on or before Friday, April 18. Final papers explaining the problem of interest, your analysis, and your conclusions must be submitted on or before Friday, May 2.

Grades

Your course grade will be based on your overall percentage. The categories used to determine your overall percentage and their respective weights are listed below.

Class participation will be used to help make borderline decisions.

Course Outline