Liberal Education Statement
This course meets the Liberal Education Goal Area 4 requirement.
Students may enroll upon earning: - A satisfactory score on a
mathematics placement test, OR - A grade of C- or better in MATH 070, OR
- Concurrent enrollment in MATH 063
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Analyze information from tables, charts, and graphs
- Assess probabilities associated with basic random experiments
- Implement probability sampling methods
- Make inferences about a population from sample data
- Write reasonable conclusions using sound quantitative reasoning
Course Goals
Students should:
- Become critical consumers of statistically-based results in
media
- Recognize when statistical investigation is appropriate
- Create and interpret graphical displays and numerical
summaries
- Understand the role of variability in statistics
- Understand the role of randomness in study design and
conclusions
- Gain experience with statistical models
- Understand statistical inference (hypothesis testing & interval
estimation)
- Interpret statistical software output
- Recognize ethical issues in statistical practice
(Based on ASA GAISE College Report)
Lectures & Office Hours
Note:
There are no in-person office hours. Students should schedule Zoom
appointments as needed.
Course Description
This course provides statistical background to critically evaluate
results reported in media related to:
- Social, environmental, and medical issues
- Data collection methods
- Graphical and numerical summaries
- Misuse and abuse of statistics
- Variation and statistical significance
- Probability and randomness
Applications include:
- Courtroom statistics
- Lotteries
- Opinion polls
- Case studies
Focus: Conceptual understanding over computation,
with use of software and internet tools.
Assessments & Grading
Exams
- 4 Exams (via D2L → Assessments → Quizzes)
- 2 Apps (via D2L → Assessment → Assignments)
- Each exam: 20 points
- Each app: 10 points
- Total: 100 points
(Guidelines regarding how to make apps are on https://szhang2025.github.io/Stat103HomePage/)
Grading Scale
| A |
90%+ |
| B |
80–89% |
| C |
70–79% |
| D |
60–69% |
| F |
<60% |
Policies and Rules
Makeup Policy
- No makeup exams will be given
Exam Timing
- Each exam is available for 1–2 days
- Must be completed within a 90-minute window
Tips for Success
- Print this syllabus and keep it visible
- Complete exams at least 12 hours before the
deadline
- Use tutoring resources:
“Thinking is hard work, but thinking critically is harder work.”
Academic Honesty Policy
Violations of academic integrity may result in disciplinary action
by:
- Instructor
- College
- University
Policy: Zero tolerance for cheating
All violations will result in substantial penalties.
Textbook (Optional)
Statistics: Concepts and Controversies (10th
Edition)
David S. Moore & William I. Notz
Course Schedule
- No fixed schedule
- Self-paced learning
Recommendation: - Know exam dates in advance
- Plan study time accordingly for each chapter