Stat 200: Elementary Statistics - “This course will cover descriptive statistics, frequency distributions, probability, binomial and normal distributions, statistical inference, linear regression, and correlation.”
4 creditsPrerequisite: 2 units in algebra
Goals - Please review the posted document at for the goals for this class, pre / posttest based on these goals
Objectives - Please review the posted document at for the objectives for this class, final exam based on these topics
Overview –Lecture classes will have all sections combined into one; an online vocabulary quiz is due before the lecture class at the start of each chapter, lectures will seek to apply terms and definitions from the textbook to problem solving situations mirroring exam questions. Lab classes will be individual sections run by a TA (teaching assistant) and LA (learning assistant) where students work on problem solving in groups with an in-class quiz in each lab session, due before class ends that day. Project quizzes and exams are completed online outside of class. The calendar at the end of the syllabus illustrates what will be covered each day in class, followed by what you are expected to do to prepare for each class.
Course Details –
Instructor: Jennifer (Jenny) Shook416 Thomas(814) 865 – 6164 forwards to cell phone (no texts)
Email: ANGEL Communicate – Quick Message – To: Jenny Shook, checked once daily
PSU email messages will not be read (University “best practice” to keep it all in ANGEL)
TA and LA:Information announced on ANGEL when it is available
Office Hours:SOH (Shared office hours) – all TAs qualified to assist in this course will hold office hours that you may attend, first come, first serve; details posted on ANGEL when available
Instructor Hours – 416 Thomas Fridays 10am – 12 noon and by appointment Wed 2:30-3:30pm
Sections:10T W101 Thomas1:25-2:15pmM F 214 Boucke12:20-1:10pm
11T W 101 Thomas1:25-2:15pmM F 111Boucke1:25-2:15pm
12T W 101 Thomas1:25-2:15pmM F 214 Boucke3:30-4:20pm
Materials:Textbook– Utts and Heckard’s Mind On Statistics Fifth Edition (hard cover, looseleaf or Aplia online eBook),access code for Aplia is optional for hardcover and looseleaf) (3rd, 4thed not ok)
Computer– Two days each week you will have the use of a computer in class (lab). Outside of class, most computer labs on campus can provide the same information as do the ones in class (or use webapps.psu.edu). You will need to access ANGEL daily for all course information and announcements
Course website:cms.psu.edu (ANGEL) contains all course materials including the syllabus, grade book, study guides and practice exams, lecture notes, lab directions, data, vocab quizzes, lab quizzes, project quizzes, exams to review, and all course announcements (Q&A Board). It is your responsibility to check the Q&A Board for all announcements related to class prior to class each day
Course format:Read the textbook taking detailed notes on definitions and formulasand take the vocabulary quiz before coming to lecture class (all done outside of the classroom)
Bring your notes and any necessary formulas and tables from the textbook to lecture class to ask questions and practice what you have learned
Complete all in-class lab quizzes (you must be in class for these)
Complete all project quizzes, extra credit, and exams (done outside of the classroom)
Course agreement / policies–By maintaining your enrollment in this class, you agree to
S1. The Penn State Principles (
S2. Attend class regularly. Any prolonged lapse in class attendance may result in no opportunity for makeup work or any other adjustments
S3. Check grades on ANGEL (ANGEL>Grades, updated weekly unless otherwise announced) and report errors in person to the instructor within one week of their posting. Failure to do so will result in no adjustment for any reason. Ignore the percentages ANGEL computes – they do not make sense with our points based grades
S4. Request no extra credit beyond what is already provided nor ask for extra points for any reason
S5. Use technology (computer, tablet, cell phone, etc) during class only for class purposes. Non-class related activities may result in the confiscation of such devices for the duration of class.
S6. Discuss due date / time conflicts in person, by phone, or two-way conversation in ANGEL Communicate (you send the email, you receive a reply and you read it) with the instructor before the due date / time and provide necessary documentation. University approved conflicts (family obligations, interviews, religious observances, University sports activities, etc) must have documentation. After any due date / time expires, there is no option for any adjustments except emergencies outlined in S7. Work sent to your instructor in email will not be graded
S7. Conflicts due to serious and prolonged illness discussed after the due date / time will only be considered on an individual basis with extended illnesses requiring documentation and illnesses that cause exam reschedules possibly requiring immediate documentation. Failure to arrange make ups within one business day of returning to classes will result in no make up
S8. Use ANGEL with an acceptable browser and internet connection. Completing work off campus is at your own risk – immediately contact ANGEL Support ( and your instructor by phone if any submissions fail, otherwise the work will not count
S9. Check ANGEL’s Q&A Board for all course announcements prior to each class period. Post non-emergency questions about the course policies or content on the Q&A Board and respond to student questions if you know the answer
S10. Send email to your instructor about private matters (general course questions go on the Q&A Board) only through ANGEL Communicate ( and use proper email etiquette ( Messages sent to the Instructor’s PSU address will not be answered (University “best practice” to keep it all in ANGEL)
S11. Come to class prepared to demonstrate what you learned in the textbook reading, ask questions, and work with classmates on everything but exams. Communicating in any way (talking, texting, writing notes, sharing a calculator, etc) with other students during exams is not permitted and will result in a 0 for that assignment
S12. Take responsibility for your actions and your grades; seek help from office hours as soon as you need it; do not share posted solutions or quiz solutions with other students or non-students; do not share scrap paper during exams; do not give or sell posted notes, data, or solutions on ANGEL to anyone
S13. Complete assignments in a timely manner; schedule exams at the Testing Center in a timely manner; show up for class and exams on time. Those late to lab may not receive time to complete the lab quiz. Those late to an exam will receive a 0 for that exam
S14. Follow all rules and policies here, at the Testing Center ( and of the University in our class and in every classroom on campus (no food or drink)
The instructor,TA and LA agree to
I1. Cancel class only in the event that both parties have an emergency; post an announcement about a cancelled class on the ANGEL Q&A Board prior to the start of that class time
I2. Answer student questions without giving away answers
a. To the best of their ability based on the information provided at that time (student’s failure to provide all the information may result in the miscommunication of ideas)
b. always when asked in class, having the proper preparation done before class starts
c. within 24 hours if posted on ANGEL’s Q&A Board or Communicate Monday – Friday 8am – 4pm
d. within 48 hours if posted on ANGEL’s Q&A Board or Communicate evenings, weekends, or over breaks
I3. Grade assignments within one week of the due date / time. Exceptions will be posted on the Q&A Board. All quizzes on ANGEL will be open for full review after the due time / make ups are completed
I4. Treat all students equally, making exceptions for no one to avoid partiality and bias
You are expected to complete all your own work in a collaborative setting for all assignments except exams. As a reminder, the University has a policy on academic honesty. Cheating includes impersonating another student or letting another student impersonate you, letting other students copy your answers, submitting a quiz early and sharing the given answers with other students who have yet to submit their work, submitting answers based on posted solutions, sharing scrap paper, communicating with other students in any way during an exam, using provided solutions to check your answers before turning in your work, submitting answers based on posted solutions, selling posted notes or solutions to anyone. You are expected to abide by the procedures set forth in the University’s document at . First failure to comply will result in a grade of 0 on the assignment, the second will result in a F for the course.
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. If you have a disability-related need for reasonable academic adjustments in this course, contact the Office for Disability Services (ODS) at 814-863-1807 (V/TTY). For further information regarding ODS, please visit the Office for Disability Services Web site at In order to receive consideration for course accommodations, you must contact ODS and provide documentation (see the documentation guidelines at If the documentation supports the need for academic adjustments, ODS will provide a letter identifying appropriate academic adjustments. Please share this letter and discuss the adjustments with your instructor as early in the course as possible. You must contact ODS and request academic adjustment letters at the beginning of each semester. Lab and vocabulary quizzes are already adjusted for double time.
Course Requirements –
Semester Exams: 30 points, twoduring the semester, 15 points each,30 multiple choice questions,60 minutes, taken at the Testing Center, you pick the time slot on the exam day. No exam scores are dropped. You will receive an email requesting you to sign up for a time slot approximately one week before each exam date. Failure to schedule a time slot in a timely manner will result in a 0 for your exam score. Please view the material at if you are unfamiliar with the testing center. If you experience technology issues during the exam, immediately report your error. Failure to follow the course policies about exams or the Testing Center rules will result in a 0 for your exam score. Exam details and a practice exam appear in the Study Aids folder in ANGEL>Lessons. You are allowed to have something to write with and scrap paper will be provided but must be turned in. Necessary formulas, tables and a calculator will be provided as a pop up in each question of the exam. Exams will be open for review on ANGEL after all students have completed the assignment
Final exam: 30points, cumulative, 30multiple choice questions, 60 minutes, as scheduled by the University. Check elionFeb 16 for our exam schedule (usually scheduled Thurs or Fri of finals week). If you have a conflict, you must file with the registrar’s office between Feb 16 and March 6; late requests denied. Failure to show up on time for your final exam or failure to follow the rules for the final exam will result in a 0 for your score. Final exam details and a practice final exam appear in the Study Aids folder in ANGEL>Lessons. You are allowed to have something to write with and scrap paper will be provided but must be turned in. Necessary formulas, tables and a calculator will be provided in each question of the exam, although this exam will not require a calculator like the semester exams do
Projects: Two quizzes, 10 points total, taken on ANGEL outside of class (number of questions vary, between 20 and 25, 60 minutes, one chance) due at 11:59:59pm on the due dates. No project quiz scores are dropped. These quizzes are like exams – once you start, the timer counts down and the quiz will submit when time expires – there is no pause. Details are available on ANGEL for each assignment. Prepare your work as outlined on the guidelines file and open the timed quiz only when you are ready to submit your work (similar to lab quizzes). Quizzes may have multiple choice or fill in the blank questions that ANGEL will grade. Failure to submit the quiz before the due date / time will result in no score for that quiz. Answers will be available for review upon submission – it is your responsibility to make sure they are as you entered them. Requests not made immediately after submission about submission errors will not be considered
Lab Quizzes: One quiz per lab class, 20 points total, questions from the textbook completed using statistical software Minitab listed on ANGEL(5 to 10 multiple choice or fill in the blank questions, 20 minutes, one chance), due before the lab class ends. Five out of the 25 lab quizzes are dropped so no makeups will be given until five quizzes have been missed with supporting documentation and timely discussion with your instructor. Quizzes are available on ANGEL from the time your lab starts until it ends
Vocabulary Quizzes: One quiz per chapter, 10 points total, (10 multiple choice questions, 20 minutes, unlimited attempts before the due time, highest score counts); taken on ANGEL outside of class due before the lecture class that starts the material. Five out of the 15 vocab quizzes are dropped so no make ups will be given until five quizzes have been missed with supporting documentation and timely discussion with your instructor. Quizzes are available on ANGEL starting from the first day of classes until the class time when the material is started; you do not have to wait until right before class to take the quiz. Failure to submit the quiz before the due date / time will result in no score for that quiz
Required Extra Credit:cannot be made up; no extra credit beyond this will be created; 10 points total
Pretest: Math and problem solving assessment worth up to 2 points of extra credit for your attempt, taken at the testing center just like exams. Details are exactly like exams except 20 questions in 60 minutes, due between Jan 20 and 26, 2015
Posttest: Math and problem solving assessment worth up to 2 points of extra credit for accuracy, taken at the testing center just like exams. Details are exactly like exams except 20 questions in 60 minutes, due between April 27 and May 1, 2015
Syllabus Quiz: Online quiz on ANGEL with unlimited attempts worth up to 2 points of extra credit for accuracy to assess your understanding of the syllabus due by 11:59:59pm on Jan 20, 2015
Practice Exams:2 practice quizzes with unlimited attempts worth up to 2 points extra crediteach for accuracy, before exams, due by 7:59:59am the day of each exam. There is no extra credit awarded on the final exam practice posted on ANGEL
Makeup Policy (based on S1, S2, S6, S7, S12, and S13 above): Forgetting to turn in an assignment does not warrant a makeup; please don’t ask. All makeup requests for any reason must be discussed with your Instructor prior to the due date / time of the assignment either in person with supporting documentation, over the phone (if there is no answer, leave a message slowly and clearly stating your name, course number and section number, ANGEL ID, and a way to contact you – phone number to call back, text, or email in ANGEL Communicate) with two way communication happening before the due date /time, or in ANGEL Communicate (with supporting documentation for the reason and a way to complete the conversation quickly – phone number, text, or reply where you will check it before the due date / time) with two way communication happening before the due date /time. Requests made through the Instructor’s PSU email account will be denied. Only serious medical emergencies discussed after the due date / time may be considered
Students adding the class after the first day of classes will have one business day after enrollment to contact the Instructor about making up missed assignments; students waiting longer than this will not be able to make up missed work. Assignments regularly due for the class will start to apply to such students two business days after the day of enrollment. All agreed upon makeup work is due within five business days of enrollment in the manner discussed with the Instructor
Conflicts for exams must be entirely arranged (discussed and agreed upon by you and the instructor) before the actual exam. Conflicts due to medical emergency will be rescheduled within 24 hours of the original exam time and may require documentation and may result in a slightly different (but not harder nor easier) exam. Conflicts due to serious medical issues that prevent the reschedule in 24 hours must have supporting documentation and will result in a slightly different (but not harder nor easier) exam
Conflicts for the final exam must be scheduled through the registrar’s office ( requests for the final exam after the filing period has ended will be denied. Conflicts for the final exam due to serious medical emergency or University events with supporting documentation will be considered on an individual basis