2019 Spring Course Syllabus - Mathematics 2031.001
Course: Mathematics 2031.001.
Course Title: Introduction to Probability and Statistics.
Time: 11:00-12:10.
Place: Wachman 406.
Instructor: John A. Paulos.
Instructor Office: Wachman 542.
Instructor Email: johnallenpaulos@temple.edu
Instructor Phone: x-5003.
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday mornings or by appointment.
Prerequisites: Ability to think clearly and some basic pre-calculus math.
Textbook: Introduction to Probability and Statistics by Lipshutz and Schiller.
Course Goals: To acquaint students with the basic ideas of probability and statistics as well as some of their many applications.
Topics Covered: I will proceed through the book in a more or less linear way covering the main topics in probability (independence, conditional probability, expected value, and Bayes theorem) as well the main topics in statistics (descriptive statistics, confidence intervals, and hypothesis testing). I will discuss a large variety of problems and introduce real-world applications wherever possible, many not in the text.
Course Grading: 3 tests at roughly 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 of the way through the semester announced at least one week ahead of time as well as the final. The tests are each worth 20% of the grade and the final is worth the remaining 40% of the grade.
Exam Dates: Roughly 1/4, 12., and 3/4 of the way through the semester.
Attendance Policy: Strongly encouraged.
Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact me privately to discuss the specific situation as soon as possible. Contact Disability Resources and Services at (215) 204-1280, 100 Ritter Annex, to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities.
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During the Drop/Add period, students may drop a course with no record of the class appearing on their transcript. Students are not financially responsible for any courses dropped during this period. In the following weeks prior to or on the withdrawal date students may withdraw from a course with the grade of "W" appearing on their transcript. After the withdrawal date students may not withdraw from courses. Check the University Calendar (Opens in new tab/window) for exact dates. See the full policy by clicking here. (Opens in new tab/window)
The grade "I" (an "incomplete") is only given if students cannot complete the course work due to circumstances beyond their control. It is necessary for the student to have completed the majority of the course work with a passing average and to sign an incomplete contract which clearly states what is left for the student to do and the deadline by which the work must be completed. The incomplete contract must also include a default grade that will be used in case the "I" grade is not resolved by the agreed deadline. See the full policy by clicking here. (Opens in new tab/window)