STAT 251

STATISTICAL INFERENCE FOR MANAGEMENT I

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Fall 2016 - Syllabus
Instructor:

Prof. Maddie Schroth-Glanz

How to
Reach me:

Phone: 805-756-6310
Email: mschroth@calpoly.edu
Office: 25-223

Office Hours:

First Priority: W 10:10-12pm, Second Priority: M 10:10-11 am, T 11:10-12 pm

Lectures:

Section 09: MTWR 2:10 3 pm

Section 10: MTWR 3:10 4 pm

Course
Prerequisite:

Building 14-246
Building 14-252

Passing score on precalculus MAPE, or MATH 221 or equivalent

Required
Materials:

1. Text Sharpe, De Veaux, Velleman, Business Statistics, 3rd Edition

2. Calculator must have a square root function
3. Computer Access Course information/handouts/solutions/notes will be posted on PolyLearn
4. You are expected to bring your course notes and calculator to class everyday

Course
Description:

Descriptive statistics. Probability and counting rules. Random variables and probability distributions.
Sampling distributions and point estimation. Confidence intervals and tests of hypotheses for a single
mean and proportion. 4 lectures. Fulfills GE B1.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Grading:

Calculate and interpret various descriptive statistics;

Understand probability concept and apply probability rules;
Use elementary counting techniques;
Apply commonly used probability distributions;
Calculate and interpret one-sample point and interval estimates of means and proportions;
Formulate various decision problems in terms of hypothesis tests;
Understand Type I and Type II errors in hypothesis tests;
Conduct one-sample hypothesis tests about means and proportions

90 100%
80 89%
70 79%
60 69%
0 59%

A
B
C
D
F

Homework
Reading Quizzes
Exams (3 @ 20%)
Comprehensive Final

7.5%
7.5%
60 %
25 %

This is a range of grades. Pluses and minuses are always possible.

Note for
STAT 252:

A grade of C- or higher is required to take STAT 252. If you get a D+ or lower, you must retake
STAT 251. This is done to ensure your success in STAT 252. Once course grades are posted at the end
of the quarter, they can only be changed to correct administrative errors. Professors are not allowed to
re-grade work or give extra work for more credit after the quarter is over. If you get a D+ or lower in
the class, do not ask to have your grade changed, it is not possible.

PolyLearn:

All notes, hand-outs, etc. will be posted to PolyLearn. Course notes will be posted weekly. You should
print a copy and bring it to class. You should also get in the habit of checking PolyLearn regularly for
announcements. It is your responsibility to check PolyLearn for handouts/announcements etc. in the
event that you miss class.

Homework:

Homework counts for 7.5% of your grade. It will be assigned each Thursday and collected the
following Thursday (unless otherwise posted). These problems will be graded on completion and
accuracy by a teaching assistant. It is strongly recommended that you do these problems as a review of
the material covered each day and you write out full and complete solutions. They will help you to
prepare for handouts and exams. A homework template will be posted with the homework as a guide
to what a complete solution that receives full credit would look like. Solutions to all the problems will
be posted on PolyLearn after the homework is turned in so that you may check your understanding.
LATE HOMEWORK IS NOT ACCEPTED. I understand that you may miss a homework due to
unforeseen circumstances. Therefore, I will drop your lowest homework grade at the end of the quarter.

Handouts/
Assignments:

Assignments consist of handouts and any group work that may be assigned. These will mostly be done
in class and can be finished at home along with the homework. Although they will not be graded, they
are a very useful tool in understanding the material and studying for the exams.

Reading
Quizzes:

Reading quizzes will be given over PolyLearn and will be worth 7.5% of your grade. These will be
randomly assigned throughout the quarter and must be completed by the start of the following lecture.
There will be NO make-up quizzes.

Exams:

There will be 3 exams each counting for 20% of your course grade. These will be closed book/notes
exams. You must bring your own calculator and writing utensil. Cell phones are not permitted. Failure
to comply will result in a minimum of a 10% deduction in your exam score.
THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UPS FOR EXAMS.
You must let me know by the end of the first week if you are unable to take the exams on the scheduled
days below.
Exam 1:
Wednesday, Oct 5, 2016
(subject to change)
Exam 2:
Monday, Oct 24, 2016
(subject to change)
Exam 3:
Monday, Nov 14, 2016
(subject to change)

Final Exam:

There will be a comprehensive final worth 25% of your course grade. You must bring a calculator. See
Tentative Course Schedule for date/time. Note: Do NOT make travel arrangements that conflict with the
final date and time. You will NOT be permitted to take the exam early so that you may leave early for
the break.
Section 09:
TBA
Section 10:
TBA

Curving:

If, at the end of the quarter, the distribution of grades is not satisfactory for me, I will curve the course
grades. I do not curve individual exam/quiz/homework grades. This curve is not guaranteed and should
not be relied upon. (Note: This curve will not hurt anyones grade)

Tutoring
Resources:

1. Study Session: http://sas.calpoly.edu/studysession/index.html

2. Learn By Doing Laboratory (38-131):
Mon: TBA
Tues: TBA
Wed: TBA
Thurs: TBA
Fri: TBA
3. Library Tutoring (35-111C):
Mon: TBA
Tues: TBA
Wed: TBA
Thurs: TBA
4. Private Tutoring through Statistics Department
5. OCOB Tutoring: OCOB Student Success Center
Mon: TBA
Tues: TBA
Thurs: TBA
Workshops: TBA

Classroom
Guidelines:

- NO cell phones. They should be off or on silent prior to class. Refrain from texting during class
- Be on time! Class starts 10 minutes after the hour, be sure to be ready by then
If you need to leave class early, please let me know in advance and sit close to the exit
Take care of restroom breaks either before or after class. Leaving during class is distracting
Dont pack up early, it is distracting and may result in a pop quiz
Be respectful in your words and conduct to both me and your fellow classmates

Academic
Integrity:

Cheating in any form will not be tolerated. I expect that all work on homework, quizzes and exams is
your own. Providing ANY information about a quiz or exam to another student constitutes cheating.
Anyone found cheating on a quiz will receive a 0 score for that quiz and will be reported to the
university OSRR. Cheating on an exam will result in a 0 score on the exam, a possible F in the course,
and a report to the university OSRR. Penalties for other forms of cheating will be at my discretion.
For information on the Cal Poly State University cheating policy, please consult the following website:
http://www.academicprograms.calpoly.edu/academicpolicies/Cheating.html. On exams, you will be
required to sign the following Honesty Pledge:
I hereby affirm that I will not discuss this examination in any way, directly or indirectly, with
other students of STAT 251 until their examination is also complete. Failure to adhere to this pledge
could result in a failing grade in this course as well as other more severe university penalties.

Class Success:
Lastly, here is some friendly study advice. This class proceeds quickly, so, please:
- Attend class, since its essential for a good understanding of this material.
- Print the notes from PolyLearn.
- Ask about anything you do not understand.
- Review your course notes carefully and completely. Your understanding of this material is critical
for your success in this class.
- Read the assigned sections of the textbook well. You will be responsible for the reading even if
the topic is not specifically discussed during class time.
- Keep up-to-date and solve as many problems as possible.
- Get extra help promptly when you have trouble.
- Visit my office hours. We can review concepts, solve problems, or discuss your class progress.
- Get to know your classmates. Form a study group. Help each other when you solve homework
problems and study for exams.

I sincerely want everyone to succeed in this class. Please dont hesitate to discuss any issues you may have with
me. I look forward to working with all of you this quarter!
Professor M. Schroth-Glanz

Important dates:
http://registrar.calpoly.edu/

Tentative Course Schedule: M. Schroth-Glanz,

STAT 251
Fall 2016
Week

Conten
t

Pre-Week 1
9/19-9/23

Syllabus

Week 1
9/26-9/30
Week 2
10/3-10/7
Week 3
10/1010/14
Week 4
10/1710/21
Week 5
10/2410/28
Week 6
10/31-11/4
Week 7
11/7-11/11
Week 8
11/1411/18
Week 9
11/2111/25
Week 10
11/28-12/2
Week 11
12/5-12/9

FINALS
12/1212/16

Th

Chapter
s
1, 8, 2,
and 3

Chapter
s

Exam 1
(tentative)

3, and 5

Chapter
5

Chapter
5

Chapter
s 6, and
7

Exam 2
(tentative)

Chapter
s
7, and 9

Chapter

Veterans
Day

9
Chapter
10

Exam 3
(tentative)

Thanksgivin
g Holiday

Thanksgivin
g Holiday

Thanksgivin
g Holiday

Thanksgivin
g Holiday

Chapter
s 10, 12,
and 11
Chapter
11

Review

Any contents on this syllabus are subject to change at the instructors discretion