2024 Summer2 Course Syllabus - Mathematics 1044.001

Course: Mathematics 1044.001.

Course Title: Probability and Statistics for the Life Sciences.

Credits: 4.

How this course will be taught: In person.

Time: Lectures: MTWRF 10:10 AM - 11:45 AM.

Place: Tuttleman Hall 307AB.

Instructor: Marilena Downing.

Instructor Office: Tuttleman Hall 307AB.

Instructor Email: marilena.downing@temple.edu

Instructor Phone: Please contact me via Canvas email or via TUMail at mdowning@temple.edu.

Office Hours: MTWRF 9:15 am- 10:00 am, or by appointment (in person or Zoom).

Prerequisites: MATH 1041 (C-), MATH 1941 (C-), MATH 1951 (C-), MATH 2043 to 3080 (C-), MA06 Y.

Course Materials:

1. Text: Modeling the Dynamics of Life: Calculus and Probability for Life Scientists, 3rd edition, 2013, Frederick Adler. (An ebook edition is available for \$40.99, from https://faculty.cengage.com/titles/9780840064189, providing 4 months of online access from date of purchase. You are free to explore other options to obtain access to the textbook; for example a used hardcover version is fine. But make sure that you have access to the 3rd Edition.

2. Scientific Calculator. You will need a scientific calculator (but not a graphics calculator). Scientific calculators can be purchased for under $10. For in-person quizzes and tests you will not be permitted to use your smartphone as a calculator.

Course Goals: To introduce some of the basic concepts and techniques of probability and statistics, as applied in the Life and Environmental Sciences.

Topics Covered: Probability Theory and Descriptive Statistics ; Probability Models; Introduction to Inferential Statistics.

Course Grading: Test 1: 25%. Test 2: 25%. Quizzes: 15%. Homework (for those who opt in): 3%. Final Exam: 32% (35% for those who opt to not submit homework). Letter grades will be assigned following the standard calculus scheme: 93-100 A, 90-92 A-, 87-89 B+, 83-86 B, 80-82 B-, 77-79 C+, 73-76 C, 70-72 C-, 65-69 D+, 55-64 D, 50-54 D-, 0-49 F.

Exam Dates: Test 1: Tuesday, July 16, in class. Test 2: Monday, July 29, in class. Final Exam: Friday, August 9, in class.

Attendance Policy: Attendance is required and will be recorded. This course will follow the university's policies on permitted excused absences. Excessive absences may result in a deduction of up to 1% from the course points total.

Attendance and Your Health: To achieve course learning goals, students must attend and participate in classes, according to your instructors' requirements. However, if you feel unwell or if you are under quarantine or in isolation because you have been exposed to the virus or tested positive for it, you should not come to campus or attend in-person classes or activities. Students have the responsibility to contact their instructors to create a plan for participation and engagement in the course as soon as they are able to do so and to make a plan to complete all assignments in a timely fashion when illness delays their completion.

Canvas: This is a registered CANVAS course. Please check CANVAS daily for additions to the Modules and for important announcements.

Homework: Homework will be regularly assigned from the textbook and will be the basis for the weekly quizzes. Homework will be collected in Canvas for those of you who choose this option.

Quizzes: There will usually two 25-30 minute quiz every week. Each quiz will consist of 4-5 problems similar to the ones assigned from the textbook. There will be no make up quizzes. However, when calculating your quiz average, the lowest quiz score will be dropped.

Exam Security: Other than scientific calculators, under no circumstances is the use of personal electronic devices such as phones, computers, smart watches allowed during exams. All such items must be stowed away and out of sight for the duration of the exam. Any student found with such a device during an exam will not be allowed to complete the test, will receive a score of ZERO for the test, and will be reported to the Student Code of Conduct Board. In addition, under no circumstances, will students be allowed to bring in any kind of papers for use during the exam. Should a student need extra paper during a test, the proctor will provide it. Any student found using papers that they themselves brought into the exam will not be allowed to complete the test, will receive a score of ZERO for the test, and will be reported to the Student Code of Conduct Board.

Disability Statement: Any student who has a need for accommodations based on the impact of a documented disability or medical condition should contact Disability Resources and Services (DRS) in Howard Gittis Student Center South, Rm 420 (drs@temple.edu; 215-204-1280) to request accommodations and learn more about the resources available to you. If you have a DRS accommodation letter to share with me, or you would like to discuss your accommodations, please contact me as soon as practical. I will work with you and with DRS to coordinate reasonable accommodations for all students with documented disabilities. All discussions related to your accommodations will be confidential.

Academic Freedom: Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. The University has adopted a policy on Student and Faculty Academic Rights and Responsibilities (Policy # 03.70.02) which can be accessed here (opens in new tab/window).

Add/Drop Policy: Students will be charged for a course unless dropped by the Drop/Add deadline date. Check the University calendar (opens in new tab/window) for exact dates.

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).

AI Policy: The use of generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT, DALL-E, etc.) is not permitted in this class unless specifically announced for a particular assignment; therefore, any use of AI tools for work in this class may be considered a violation of Temple University's Academic Honesty policy and Student Conduct Code, since the work is not your own. The use of unauthorized AI tools will result in a grade of zero on the assignment; a second offense will be reported to the Student Conduct Board.

Incomplete Policy: 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).

Student Support Services: The following academic support services are available to students (all links open in a new tab/window):
    The Math Consulting Center
    Student Success Center
    University Libraries
    Undergraduate Research Support
    Career Center
    Tuttleman Counseling Services
    Disability Resources and Services
If you are experiencing food insecurity or financial struggles, Temple provides resources and support. Notably, the Temple University Cherry Pantry and the Temple University Emergency Student Aid Program are in operation as well as a variety of resources from the Division of Student Affairs.