Syllabus

Course: STA 291 -- Statistical Methods

Instructor: Dr. Scott Richter, 389 Bryan, 256-1123, sjricht2@uncg.edu.

For Whom Planned: This course is planned for undergraduate students who wish build upon the foundation of a first course in statistics to explore more advanced methods. Students should have completed STA 271 or STA 290 or another course covering comparable topics. Students having concerns about prerequisites should talk to me as soon as possible.

Catalog Description: Two-group comparisons, simple and multiple regression, one and two factor

ANOVA, categorical data analysis, nonparametric methods. Prerequisites: STA 271 or STA 290 or permission of instructor.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:

• Use numeric and graphical methods to describe univariate and bivariate data.
• Make inferences regarding population means, variances, regression coefficients, frequency distributions using parametric and nonparametric methods, as appropriate.
• Model data using multiple linear regression and complex analysis of variance designs.

Evaluation Methods and Guidelines for Assignments: Students will be evaluated using two in-class tests and a final exam, graded homework assignments, periodic writing assignments and a semester project.

Exams. There will be two in-class exams during the semester as well as a comprehensive final exam. *Failure to take the test at the scheduled time will result in a score of zero. Conflicts with the scheduled test times must be resolved by prior arrangement.

Project. Students will complete an applied data analysis project, consisting of two parts. The first will be a research proposal for the design and analysis of an experiment or survey; the second a research report describing the results of the study. Details and specific format will be outlined in class.

Assignments. Exercises from the text as well as supplementary exercises will be given regularly. It is essential that students complete these exercises to gain familiarity and facility with the methods discussed in class. Most exercises will not be graded, but may be discussed in class. Periodically assignments to be submitted and graded will be given to help assess student progress on mastery of concepts. *Late assignments will not generally be accepted without prior arrangement, and will receive a score of zero.

Written assignments. Students will write 8-10 short in-class paragraphs, describing statistical methods, discussing applicability of methods, or giving interpretations of results. Non-graded feedback regarding correctness and proper writing style of paragraphs will be given. Students must submit all assigned paragraphs to obtain class participation credit. *Late assignments will not generally be accepted without prior arrangement, and will receive a score of zero.

Students are expected to do their own work and abide by the UNCG Academic Integrity Policy on all submitted work.

The overall course average will be calculated as follows:

Test 1 15%

Test 2 15%

Final Exam 20%

Homework 20%

Participation 5%

Project

Proposal 10%

Report 15%

100%

The course grade will be determined according to the following scale:

90-100 A

80-89 B

70-79 C

60-69 D

50-59 F

Required Texts/Readings/References:

Ott, R. L. & Longnecker, M. T. A First Course in Statistical Methods, Thompson Brooks-Cole, 2004.

Academic Honor Code: All students are expected to abide by the UNCG Academic Integrity Policy at all times.

Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend all classes. Students who miss more than three classes may be dropped from the course.