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Required Texts and Other Required Material (Fall 2009):
- Textbook: Statistics: Concepts and Controversies, Seventh Edition, Moore and Notz,
W. H. Freeman and Company, 2009. (see cover)- Supplement: A Guide to Statistical Thinking, Fifth edition, Mays, Street, and Johnson.
Be sure to purchase a new supplement with a Yellow cover. (see cover)
** The text and a new supplement are both required and can be purchased as a bundle at the VCU bookstore. **- Classroom Performance System (CPS) response pad (a blue and white “remote” (see picture) available in the VCU bookstore), plus online registration (through Blackboard).
The old blue and orange remote (see picture) will work if you have one.
Click here for info/hints on the use of the CPS remotes.- Calculator that you know how to use for addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, squares, and square roots.
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Course Schedules Sections 001-009
Dr. Scott StreetSections 021-029
Mrs. Becky DurfeeSections 931-939
Mrs. Becky Durfee
* A ten-point grading scale is used for this course [ <60: F , 60-69.99: D , 70-79.99: C , 80-89.99: B , 90-100: A].
* Assignments are to be turned in at the beginning of the lecture or lab when they are due. No late assignments will be accepted, including assignments brought late to lecture. Exams are given at the times designated on the class schedule. No makeup assignments or makeup exams will be given.
* There will be NO extra credit assignments provided at any time during the semester.
* Your lowest quiz grade, your lowest lab reflection grade, and your lowest first attempt on focus exercises grade will be dropped. None of your exam grades will be dropped.
*
It is your responsibility for knowing the schedule of when assignments are due.
This schedule is provided on a handout (along with CPS instructions) and
can also be found on the class website (see Course Schedules box above).
Assignment due dates are usually announced in lectures and labs—pay
attention for due dates that deviate from typical weeks.
Do not email your instructors to ask about due dates—you will be told to
look on the class schedule.
* The VCU Honor Code is in effect for this course. Be sure you understand this code.
* You are strongly encouraged to ask questions during class. Do NOT hold other conversations in class—this is a disruption to other students and will be handled according to the VCU policy for Student Conduct in the Classroom.
* Cell phones and beepers should be turned off while in the classroom to prevent disruption of the class, and they may be confiscated if they do indeed cause a disruption. Cell phones, PDAs, or any type of computer must also be out of sight during exams.
* You must bring a calculator to exams and lectures/labs that you know how to use.
* University Rules and Procedures prohibit anyone “to have in his/her possession any firearm, other weapon, or explosive, regardless of whether a license to possess the same has been issued, without the written authorization of the President of the university...”
* Note: Your course grade will be computed as a weighted average (using the percentages, below) at the end of the semester. You cannot compute your grade by dividing your earned points by the total points possible. Feel free to compute your grade at any time, but DO NOT ask your instructor to do it…you should be able to do the math!
* Note: Last day for you to withdraw from the course with a "W" is Friday, October 30 . ** If you are in violation of the attendance policy (and failing) at this date, your instructor may withdraw you from the course.
| Activity | Description | How/when Evaluated | Weight |
| Quizzes (Q) |
Take-home quizzes covering the topics in each lecture/lab unit (lecture and following lab) | Available on Blackboard at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday. You must turn in your answers on a hardcopy of the quiz, usually due at the beginning of the next Wednesday (or Tuesday) lecture. One of the focus exercises (see below) will be graded as part of the quiz. Graded quizzes will be returned and reviewed in the next lab. | 15% |
| Focus Exercises (FE) |
Written exercises, primarily taken from the textbook, focusing on topics discussed in lecture. These exercises will be assigned during the lecture periods, and can also be found on the class website (click here). |
Assigned at the end of the lectures. Your first written attempt at these exercises is due at the beginning of the following lab, and will be checked for completeness to determine your FE grade. We will briefly discuss the FEs with you at this time, and you will be given the correct answers. These checked papers will be returned at the beginning of the next lab. If you are not satisfied with your first attempt, you may rework any of the exercises and attach them to the quiz you turn in at the beginning of the next Wednesday (or Tuesday) lecture. Your most recent version of the FE answers will be graded as a part of the quiz. | 5% |
| Lab Activity Reflections (LR) |
Short questions based on the lab activity that explores lecture topics. | Provided near the back of the supplement manual. You must be present and participate in the lab activity to receive credit. These are typically due at the beginning of the next lecture. |
10% |
|
Classroom
Performance System |
Classroom participation evaluated by answering questions during lectures with a CPS remote. | During the lectures you will be asked questions that require you to answer by clicking the answer on your CPS remote pad. Your CPS grade for the course will be determined by the percentage of questions you answer correctly throughout the entire semester. You must answer questions with your remote--no written answers are accepted. If you forget your remote, or if it does not work, you will not be able to receive any CPS credit for that lecture--you may want to bring extra batteries with you to class. Using a remote for another student is a violation of the Honor Code. |
5% |
| Exam 1 | Covers chapters 1 through 9. | Details to follow. See the class schedule for exam date. | 15% |
| Exam 2 | Covers chapters 10 through 19. | Details to follow. See the class schedule for exam date. | 15% |
| Exam 3 | Covers chapter 21, 1st half of ch. 22. | Details to follow. See the class schedule for exam date. | 15% |
| Final Exam | Comprehensive (including chapter 24) | Details to follow. See the class schedule for exam date. | 20% |
Attendance: Attendance to all lectures, labs, and tests is required to maximize the understanding of the content of this course. Absences for any reason, including sickness, athletic trips, and class field trips are the responsibility of the student. Accumulated absences of more than 20% of the scheduled course meetings may result in being dropped from the course with an F, unless official withdrawal is completed by Friday, October 30. Note: if you are in violation of the attendance policy (and failing) at the withdraw date, your instructor may withdraw you from the course.
Students with Disabilities Policy
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 require Virginia Commonwealth University to provide academic adjustments or accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Students seeking academic adjustments or accommodations must self-identify with the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities on the appropriate campus. After meeting with instructors to discuss their needs and, if applicable, any laboratory safety concerns related to their disabilities.
For additional information, consult the following on-line resources:
Services for Students with Disabilities: http://www.students.vcu.edu/dss/
What to Know and Do To Be Prepared for Emergencies at VCU:
1. Sign up to receive VCU text messaging alerts (http://www.vcu.edu/alert/notify). Keep your information up-to-date.
2. Know the safe evacuation route from each of your classrooms. Emergency evacuation routes are posted in on-campus classrooms.
3. Listen for and follow instructions from VCU or other designated authorities.
4. Know where to go for additional emergency information (http://www.vcu.edu/alert).
5. Know the emergency phone number for the VCU Police (828-1234). Report suspicious activities and objects.