AMAT108 Elementary Statistics
Fall 2024 Syllabus
Click to download printable version.
Course Description
Frequency distributions, measures of central tendency and dispersion, probability and sampling, estimation, testing of hypotheses, linear regression and correlation. Not open for credit by students who have taken AMAT 308.
Prerequisites
3 years of high school mathematics
General Education
AMAT 108 does count for 3 credits of the General Education Requirement.
Course Structure
Each lecture is eighty minutes long, meeting twice a week, and comprised of mathematical concepts, applications, and problems. There will be a total of four exams, three midterms and a final exam, given during the course of the semester all based closely on the lecture content, practice assessments, and online homework.
Learning Outcomes
This course will enable students to demonstrate:
‣ the ability to decipher, interpret and draw conclusions from formal or mathematical models such as formulas, graphs, and/or truth tables, and an understanding of the concepts used in such models
‣ the ability to formulate and/or represent problems in manners appropriate to mathematical, statistical, or logical analysis
‣ the ability to employ appropriate mathematical computations, statistical techniques, or logical methods to solve problems and/or draw conclusions from data
‣ the ability to evaluate results and recognize the limits of methods and/or models within the context of the discipline, as appropriate
Recommended Textbook
Primary Textbook: “Introduction to Statistics & Data Analysis” 6th Edition by Peck, Short and Olsen
Supplementary Textbook: “Introductory Statistics” 2nd Edition by OpenStax (Opensource Book)
Homework
There are twelve assignments in total.
- Due Dates: Most assignments are due on Fridays at 11:59 PM. However, assignments due during exam weeks can have different due dates. Please consult the Lecture Schedule for the specific due date of each assignment.
- Platform: All assignments are assigned and graded through Lumen Ohm.
- Submissions/Attempts:
- Open-ended questions typically allow five attempts.
- Multiple-choice questions allow a number of attempts based on the number of answer choices (usually the number of choices minus one or two).
Students are encouraged to check the number of attempts available and used for each question.
Calculator Policy on Quizzes and Exams
Students can ONLY USE A NON-GRAPHING CALCULATOR when taking the in-class quizzes and examinations. Graphing calculators, cell phones, mobile devices, etc. are NOT ALLOWED during quizzes* and exams. *No Quizzes for LC Sections.
Assessment Tools
There are three assessment tools in course:
‣ Exams are comprehensive and test both understanding of course material, critical thinking, and problem solving skills.
‣ Quizzes* focus on concepts and are typically one question long and administered at the beginning of the last lecture of the week. Please see the lecture schedule for more details. *No Quizzes for LC Sections.
‣ The online homework are exercises used to reinforce and check understanding of course material.
Course Schedule
Class No Days Times Room Instructor 1671 MW 01:10PM – 02:30PM LC0023 Racquet, John 1672 TTH 03:00PM – 04:20PM ES0140 Howell, Jason 1673 MW 01:10PM – 02:30PM SS0116 Habib, John 1674 MW 11:40AM – 01:00PM ES0140 Habib, John 1675 MW 03:00PM – 04:20PM ES0140 Rosenburg, Douglas 1676 TTH 04:30PM – 05:50PM ES0140 Beckhardt, Susan 1677 MW 04:30PM – 05:50PM ES0140 Rosenburg, Douglas 2819 TTH 01:30PM – 02:50PM ES0140 Medina, Luciano 3283 TTH 09:00AM – 10:20AM ES0139 Lam, Tung 3467 TTH 10:30AM – 11:50AM ES0144 Lamatina, James 3484 TTH 12:00PM – 01:20PM ES0140 Lange, Christopher 3487 MW 03:00PM – 04:20PM LC0001 Lamatina, James 3492 MW 11:40AM – 01:00PM AS0014 Hall, Catherine 3603 MW 11:40AM – 01:00PM HU0128 Lam, Tung 4121 TTH 09:00AM – 10:20AM AS0014 Lange, Christopher 4172 TTH 12:00PM – 01:20PM ES0144 Howell, Jason 7126 ONL Informatics Only ONL Racquet, John 7556 MW 10:10AM – 11:30AM HU0132 Lamatina, James 7821 ONL ONLINE ASYNCH ONL Lenseth, Douglas
Grade Calculation
Three formulas are used to calculate the student’s course score. The formula that yields the highest score will be the one used to determine the final score.
Formula 1: All exams included Weight Homework 15% Exams 1-3 (20% each) 60% Final Exam 25%
Formula 2: Drop lowest midterm Weight Homework 15% Best two of three midterms (25% each) 50% Final Exam 35%
Formula 3: No final exam Weight Homework 15% Exam 1 28.3% Exam 2 28.3% Exam 3 28.3%
We will convert this score to a letter grade beginning with these values as cutoffs:
Cutoff Letter Grade 90 A 87 A- 83 B+ 80 B 77 B- 74 C+ 70 C 67 C- 64 D+ 60 D 55 D- below 50 E
Exam Policies
During exams, no graphing calculators, no cell phones, iPads or other devices that can communicate with the internet may be used. Any such equipment found being used during an examination may be interpreted as “cheating”. The Department of Mathematics and Statistics reserves the right to impose the strongest academic sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity*.
Click here for the University’s final exam policy and additional related information.
*Academic Integrity
“Every student has the responsibility to become familiar with the standards of academic integrity at the University. Faculty members must specify in their syllabi information about academic integrity, and may refer students to this policy for more information. Nonetheless, student claims of ignorance, unintentional error, or personal or academic pressures cannot be excuses for violation of academic integrity. Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the standards and behaving accordingly, and UAlbany faculty are responsible for teaching, modeling and upholding them. Anything less undermines the worth and value of our intellectual work, and the reputation and credibility of the University at Albany degree.” (University’s Standards of Academic Integrity Policy, Fall 2013)
More information at: https://www.albany.edu/undergraduate_bulletin/regulations.html
Policy on missed in-class assignments, quizzes, or exams
It is University policy that an out-of-sequence exam can be administered only if there is prior authorization by the Mathematics and Statistics Department or due to a medical, religious, or family emergency reason. In all of these cases, you must provide written documentation to the Mathematics and Statistics Department in order to schedule a make-up exam within 2 days of the missed exam, or upon your first day returning to class if the documentation excuses a longer absence. Make-ups will not be granted to students who do not notify the Mathematics and Statistics Department in a timely manner. Students may be asked to seek additional approval.
Event
In the case of a University sponsored event such as an athletic tournament, a play, or a musical performance, please have your coach, conductor, or other faculty advisor contact your instructor (athletic practices and rehearsals do not fall into this category).
Travel
We cannot accommodate out-of-sequence exams, quizzes, and finals for reasons of convenience of travel, even if you have already purchased tickets. Please note carefully the date of your exams and final and plan your travel schedule accordingly.
Religious Observance
Based on New York State Education Law (Section 224-A), students are required to be excused, without penalty, because of religious beliefs, and will be provided equivalent opportunities for make-up examinations, study, or work requirements missed because of such absences. Faculty will work directly with students to accommodate religious observances. However, students should notify the instructor of record by emailing them during the first two weeks of classes.
Click here for the University’s Medical Excuse Policy.
Disability Disclosure Statement
Reasonable accommodations will be provided for students with documented physical, sensory, systemic, medical, cognitive, learning and/or mental health (psychiatric) disabilities. If you believe you have a disability and require accommodation in this class, please register with Disability Access and Inclusion Student Services (DAISS). You can contact DAISS at daiss@albany.edu, 518-442 -5501 or www.albany.edu/disability. Once you have registered with DAISS, they will provide you with an accommodation letter that you can send to your instructors to receive your approved accommodation.
Mental Health Resources
As a student, there are be times when personal stressors interfere with your academic performance and/or negatively impact your daily life. The University at Albany Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides free, confidential services including individual and group psychological counseling and evaluation for emotional, social and academic concerns. Students can consult with CAPS staff remotely by telephone, email or Zoom appointments about issues that impact them or someone they care about.
‣For questions or to make an appointment, call (518) 442-5800 or email consultation@albany.edu. Visit www.albany.edu/caps/ for hours of operation and more information.
‣If your life or someone else’s life is in danger, please call 911. If you are in a crisis and need help right away, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
‣Students dealing with heightened feelings of sadness or hopelessness, increased anxiety, or thoughts of suicide may also text “HOME” to 741741 (Crisis Text Line).
https://988lifeline.org/?scrlybrkr=4617837b
https://www.albany.edu/health-well-being/emergencies
Course Instructors
Dr Luciano Medina, PhD
Course Coordinator and Lecturer
lmedina2@albany.edu
Catskill 262
Office Hrs by appointment
Dr John Racquet, PhD
Lecturer
jracquet@albany.edu
Castskill 326
Office Hrs:
Douglas Rosenberg
Lecturer
dwrosenberg@albany.edu
Castskill 334
Office Hrs:
James Lamatina
Lecturer
jlamatina@albany.edu
Castskill 325
Office Hrs: MW 1:30 – 2:30pm
TTh 1:30 – 4:00pm, F 12:00 – 2:00pm
Chris Lange
Lecturer
clange@albany.edu
Castskill 388
Office Hrs:
Catherine Hall
Teaching Assistant
chall2@albany.edu
Castskill 378
Office Hrs: 1:10-4:00pm
UAlbany Calculus and Statistics 