Textbook

Introduction to Scientific Computing and Simulation Using R, Second Edition, (2014), Owen Jones, Robert Maillardet, and Andrew Robinson, Chapman & Hall/CRC The R Series

Statistical Packages & Computing

R and RStudio 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\Statistical Computing. 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.

Title IX Responsibilities

Kenyon College seeks to provide an environment that is free of bias, discrimination, and harassment. If you have been the victim of sexual harassment/misconduct/assualt we encourage you to report this. If you report this to a faculty member, she or he must notify the Title IX coordinator about the basic facts of the incident (you may choose whether you or anyone involved is identified by name). For more information about your options at Kenyon College, please go to http://www.kenyon.edu/directories/offices-services/office-of-equal-opportunity/sexual-assault-and-harassment/

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.

Midterm Exam

We will only have one exam during a class session. The exam will be on Friday, October 20

Quizzes and Activities

Short quizzes or take home activities will be given occasionally throughout the semester. The goal is to help you comprehend and apply the important concepts and techniques that we have been studying in a timed setting. In other words these quizzes and activities are designed to help you prepare and practice your programming skills. The quizzes will take approximately 20 minutes.

Small Group Project

You will be asked to solve a practical simulation 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 conduct a detailed simulation to solve a probability or statistical problem of interest. Ideally, this simulation will be related to a research problem of interest to you. The case studies and student projects in our textbook serve as great examples for reasonable projects. Summaries of your proposed simulation must be submitted on or before Monday, November 27. Final papers explaining the problem of interest, your analysis, and your conclusions must be submitted on or before Friday, December 15 at 1:30 pm.

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

• Probability
• Discrete Random Variables
• Continuous Random Variables
• Parameter Estimation
• Markov Chains
• Simulation
• Monte Carlo Simulation
• Variance Reduction (if time permits)
• Case Studies
• Student Projects