Spring 2022 MCS 241 Course Description

Section 001 meets at 8:00 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday in Olin 317.

Textbooks

Introduction to Modern Statistics(free online)
Open Intro Statistics(free online)
R for Data Science(free online)

Computer Software

The primary software used in this course is RStudio. Gustavus has an online version of RStudio at rstudio.gac.edu You can read more about RStudio at www.rstudio.com

Course Description

This is an intermediate course in the collection, organization, and analysis of data. The focus is on modern statistical methods for analyzing univariate and multivariate data. Topics include data manipulation, statistical computing, nonparametric statistical analysis, randomization tests, and bootstrapping

Classes

Classes will be used for discussions, problem solving, lectures, and other activities. You should prepare for classes by doing the reading beforehand, thinking about the problems in the text, and formulating questions of your own. You should also participate as much as possible in class. Class meetings are not intended to be a complete encapsulation of the course material. You will be responsible for learning some of the material on your own.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will

Organize, clean, merge, and manipulate data from multiple sources and formats.
Determine and create the appropriate visualization of data based on the types of variables being studied
Use tools to assess and evaluate the validity of a statistical test.
Decide which methods and procedures are appropriate when conducting a statistical analysis.
Use statistical terminology, notation, and concepts.
Identify and apply the appropriate non-parametric statistical inference process correctly in various settings and contexts.
Produce and interpret the output from statistical software.
Effectively communicate the results of statistical analysis using appropriate terminology.

Grades

Your course grade will be determined as follows:

Participation: 5%
Homework: 30%
Exams: 30%
Projects: 35%

You must have a passing grade in all four of the course areas (Participation, Homework, Exams, and Projects) in order to pass the course.

Grading Scale

F	C-	C	C+	B-	B	B+	A-	A
[0, 70%)	[70%, 73%)	[73%, 77%)	[77%, 80%)	[80%, 83%)	[83%, 87%)	[87%, 90%)	[90%, 93%)	[93%, 100%]

Participation

Participation will be evaluated through online and in-class quizzes. Students that attend class, participate in discussions, and take notes should have no problem passing the quizzes.

Homework

Homework assignments and their due dates will be posted to the course Moodle page. It is your responsibility to check to see when homework is due. Homework is due by 3:00 on the posted due date. I DO NOT accept late homework unless there are extenuating circumstances. You will be granted ONE no-questions-asked 24 hour extension. To take advantage, email me before the homework is due. If you have questions on homework problems you are encouraged to schedule a visit during office hours or ask the statistics tutors.

Homework problems are designed to help you learn the material we cover in class and in the reading. Homework should be neatly written or typed. The sections and problem numbers should be clearly labeled. Homework will be collected via Moodle. NOT all of the problems will be graded, but solutions to all of the problems will be posted to Moodle. Several representative problems from the homework will be selected and graded.

You may work on homework with a partner unless otherwise specified. You and your partner should turn in a single copy of the homework with everyone's name on it. Make sure that both members of the group contribute to all of the assigned homework problems.

Advice From Students:The homework is not designed to be done in one night, so start it as soon as it is assigned and work on it throughout the week.

Quizzes

Quizzes are meant to check your understanding of lecture material. Quizzes should be taken individually. Quizzes consist of True and False, multiple choice, matching, and simple calculation questions. You may use your notes and the lecture slides when taking the quiz. You may take each quiz multiple times. You will receive the highest grade from all your attempts.

Exams

Exams will focus on your ability to:

create and interpret output from statistical software
to communicate results
to understand mathematical and statistical models
to express an understanding of statistical concepts
to engage in statistical thinking on open-ended questions

Projects

An important part of this course is projects. Projects will apply methods from the course to data that you have found. The projects allow you to demonstrate your ability to use statistical software on a real dataset to address a research question of your own interest. Oral and written communication of the results of your analysis will be considered as important as your statistical analyses. There will be at least one small group project and one individual project. There will be deadlines related to your project throughout the semester. No projects will be accepted after the due date.

Class Expectations

Look at Moodle and check your email regularly. Everything you need to know is there, and things are constantly being posted. Important announcements will also be communicated via email.
Arrive to class prepared.Watch the recorded lectures, read through material, and work on assignments on the day they are posted. Attending and participating in class will benefit you!
Attendance is expected unless you are ill, in which case please stay home and get better.
Do your OWN work. In no event can you copy answers from another student, a web site, solutions manuals, old keys, or elsewhere. You are however encouraged to collaborate in an honorable way. This means that while you can discuss problems and their solutions, each of you should make a real effort to solve each problem by yourself. You can work together towards solutions, but should not just copy. Each person solving half the problems does NOT constitute working together.
Study the homework solutions. One goal of this course is to become an effective communicator of statistical ideas and analyses, and by spending time with the answer key, you can discover better ways to communicate ideas: more precise, more concise, more informative , even in cases where you received most of the available points.
Be respectful in the classroom. I am happy to take any questions in class, no matter how trivial they may seem. To facilitate an open learning environment, please respect each other. Raise your hand, listen when others are talking (including when I am speaking), and avoid distracting or rude behavior. Please avoid using your phone in class. It is an unnecessary distraction.
Use computers respectfully. Students using computers during class time for purposes beyond MCS 241 (email, internet surfing, paper writing, etc.) may have their computer privileges revoked.
Seek help when you need it. You can all be successful in this class. If you are struggling, talk to the instructor! I also encourage you to seek help from your peers in this class. You can also go to CARE (Center for Academic Resources and Enhancement, formerly the Academic Support Center) (gustavus.edu/advising/support/) if you want to improve your general study skills and habits.

Academic Integrity

You are expected to adhere to the highest standards of academic honesty, to uphold the Gustavus Honor Code and to abide by the Academic Honesty Policy. A full description of the Academic Honesty Policy and the Honor Code can be found in the Academic Catalog (online at https://gustavus.edu/general_catalog/current/acainfo). For more information about the Honor Code, contact Dean Valerie Banschbach or Dean Elizabeth Kubek

On homework, you should make a real effort to solve each problem by yourself, although you can and should discuss problems and their solutions with your classmates after you've made this effort. You should give credit to any people or texts that helped you find solutions. On tests, you are expected to work by yourself unless otherwise specified.

The honor pledge applies to ALL work that you do in the class. A first violation of the honor code will result in a grade of 0 on the assignment in question. Any further violations will result in a grade of F for the course. In all cases, I notify the office of the Provost along with your academic adviser.

Requesting Accommodations

Gustavus Adolphus College is committed to ensuring equitable and inclusive learning environments for all students. If you have a disability and anticipate or experience barriers to equal access, please speak with the accessibility resources staff about your needs. A disability may include mental health, attentional, learning, chronic health, sensory, physical, and/or short-term conditions. Students with a documented elevated risk of COVID-19 may also request academic accommodations. When appropriate, staff will guide students and professors in making accommodations to ensure equal access. Accommodations cannot be made retroactively; therefore, to maximize your academic success at Gustavus, please contact them as early as possible. Accessibility resources staff are located in the Academic Support Center (https://gustavus.edu/asc/accessibility/) (x7138). Accessibility Resources Coordinator, Corrie Odland, (codland@gustavus.edu), can provide further information.

Help for Multilingual Students

Support for English learners and multilingual students is available through the Center for International and Cultural Education Staff can meet individually with students for tutoring in writing, consulting about academic tasks, and helping students connect with the College’s support systems. When requested, the MIPC can consult with faculty regarding effective classroom strategies for English learners and multilingual students. If requested, the MIPC can provide students with a letter to a professor that explains and supports appropriate academic arrangements (e.g., additional time on tests, additional revisions for papers). Professors make decisions based on those recommendations at their own discretion. In addition, English learners and multilingual students can seek help from peer tutors in the (Writing Center).

Reference Assistance

You can always get help with your research at the library. Reference librarians will help you find information on a topic, develop search strategies for papers and projects, search library catalogs and databases, and provide assistance at every step. Drop-ins and appointments are both welcome. Visit https://gustavus.edu/library/reference_question.php for hours, location, and more information.

Questions about these policies can be directed to Dean Valerie Banschbach or Dean Elizabeth Kubek.