Syllabus

Required Materials

Textbook and StatsPortal

We will be using the book, The Practice of Business Statistics, Moore, McCabe, Duckworth and Alwyn, 2nd Edition, Freeman Publishers. This is the same book that is used for 22S:008. The entire book is available in electronic form with your StatsPortal subscription.

StatsPortal

We will also use StatsPortal, Freeman Publishers. StatsPortal contains the complete textbook (eBook) with highlighting, note-taking, and printing tools. Other available tools are text resources, a study guide, statistical applets, and self quizzes. You'll complete all your homework assignments using StatsPortal. You can purchase StatsPortal directly from the publisher.

To register your StatsPortal subscription,

1. go to http://courses.bfwpub.com/pbs2e.php
2. click the "Register An Activation Code" link on the home page
3. enter in:
   1. Your printed activation code
   2. Your first name and last name
   3. Your email address (which will serve as your Portal username)
   4. Choose your password (for future visits). You will be asked to also provide a password hint.
   5. Re-enter your email address
   6. Enter your school data; Select the state your institution is located; Select your institution; Select your course/instructor
4. Your account will be created and you will be able to access StatsPortal.

Whether you need technical help working with StatsPortal features, content, registration, or simply forgot your username or password, contact technical support: (800) 936-6899 or techsupport@bfwpub.com. There is also a User Guide.

Minitab

We will use Minitab, a statistical software package, for all statistical work. Minitab is available through the University of Iowa virtual desktop. See this site for more information. There is a short introduction to Minitab under videos on this site; StatsPortal also provides a guidebook.

Assignments

All homework assignments and quizzes are listed on StatsPortal. You may work with others on the homework assignments; quizzes must be completed individually. Homework assignments and quizzes are open book, open note. To complete a homework assignment, click on the link in StatsPortal. If you need to use a dataset, you will find it under "Resources>Data" in StatsPortal. Data sets are labeled with the name of the relevant assignment. After entering your answers to quesions, click on Submit. The assignment will be automatically graded. Check your answers and correct any problems that you missed; you may submit the homework assignment multiple (unlimited) times.

Quizzes should be completed once you've finished all of the homework assignments associated with a Lesson; you will not have access to the quiz until you've completed the assignments. You have two attempts at each quiz.

Exams

The point of exams is twofold. First, the exam will measure your retention of course material, your ability to interpret statistical concepts, and your understanding of the homework assignments. Second, it will give me some sense of what concepts are giving you the most trouble.

There will be three exams, two midterms and one final exam. All three are cumulative. You can use one sheet of paper (8.5 by 11) for each exam, typed or handwritten, which includes any information that you feel will be helpful for the exam (formulas, hints, etc.). There are no restrictions on what you include on your sheet. The midterms will include both multiple choice and essay questions.

The first exam is due after Lesson 3 and covers Lessons 1 - 3. The second midterm is due after Lesson 5 and covers Lessons 4 and 5. The final exam is comprehensive, but emphasizes the material in Lessons 6 - 8.

Grades

Your progression in learning how to use and evaluate statistical ideas will be evaluated based on homework assignments (20%), practice quizzes (15%) two midterms (20% per exam), the final (25%). In order to pass the course (achieve a grade of "D" or higher), you will demonstrate that you can perform specific statistical tests when given the formula and the data. To achieve a grade of "C", you must demonstrate that you can correctly choose an appropriate statistical method. To achieve a "B", you will demonstrate that you can choose an appropriate statistical method, justify your choice and apply it correctly. In order to achieve an "A" performance, you will need to demonstrate that you can, in a particular situation, use statistical methods, justify your choice of statistical method, and explain your results in terms that can be understood by people who have not taken statistics. Roughly speaking, a 90% will represent "A" achievement, 80% will represent "B" achievement, 70% will represent "C" achievement, and 60% will represent "D" achievement.

Course Policies

Academic Misconduct

This course is given by the College of Business and is governed by the Tippie College of Business honor code. This means that class policies on matters such as requirements, grading, and sanctions for academic dishonesty are governed by the College of Business. Students wishing to add or drop this course after the official deadline must receive the approval of the Associate Dean of the College of Business. Details of the University policy of cross enrollments may be found at Cross Enrollment Policy

You may work together on homework assignments. You must, however, submit your own individual assignment in StatsPortal. Note that simply copying the assignment from a classmate will not help you learn the material, and will certainly hinder your performance on the exams.

Grievance procedure

If you have issues or concerns about the class, please see me first. If you are not comfortable speaking to me, the next person to see is the chair of the economics department, B. Ravikumar, W210 PBB, 335-0831. The next person to see is the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs, Lon Moeller, C140 PBB, 335-1038.

Course accommodation

I would like to hear from anyone who has a disability which may require some modification of testing, or other class requirements so that appropriate arrangements may be made. Please contact me via email.

Policy on sexual harassment

The Tippie College of Business and the University of Iowa are committed to providing students with an environment free from sexual harassment. If you feel that you are being or have been harassed or you are not sure what constitutes sexual harassment, we encourage you to visit the University website, and to seek assistance from department chairs, the Dean's Office, the University Ombuds Office, or the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity.

Approximate schedule

The StatsPortal assignments tab has specific details about due dates for homework assignments and quizzes.