General Information for Math 170, Spring 2008

• Text:  Introductory Statistics by Neil Weiss , 8th edition, ISBN 0321393619
• Instructor: Paul Howard
• Office:  516E Pray-Harrold, 487-1294
• Home Phone:  (734) 741-0538
• email address:  phoward@emunix.emich.edu
• Paul Howard's Spring 2008 Schedule is available at http://www.emunix.emich.edu/~phoward/s08/sched.htm.
• Class web page: http://www.emunix.emich.edu/~phoward/s08/170s8pag.htm
• Scheduled Office Hours:  
  • Walk in: 12:00p.m. - 1:00p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
  • Appointment: 1:00p.m. - 2:00p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
    I will usually be in during my appointment office hours, but it is best to call before coming in to make sure that I am there and do not have another appointment.  If you want to talk to me at some time other than those listed above, please call me, contact me by e-mail, or see me after class to arrange an appointment.
• General Education Rationale: Statistics can be applied to almost every other field of study. Learning statistics will give students a broad quantitative foundation for further study in specialized disciplines. This course will discuss how quantitative information is generated, summarized, evaluated and interpreted, so that students will develop the habit of thinking clearly and critically about quantitative information in order to determine what information is reliable and which predictions can be trusted. For this reason, MATH 170 will count for the Quantitative Reasoning requirement in the General Education program Education for Participation in the Global Community.
• Very Important Notice:  This course does not automatically count as a QR course for every student who takes it. If you plan to count this course for your QR requirement, it is essential that you check with an advisor to see if it will count for you before taking the course. It is your responsibility to check and follow the rules. No exceptions can be made. For more information go to www.emich.edu/gened
• Grading:  We will have 1 test on Thursday, May 29 and a final exam on Tuesday, June 24 .  In addition 4 quizzes will be given as indicated on the course schedule and I will collect some homework including including two quatitative reasoning projects.  The details of the homework will be discussed in class.  If you miss a class and are not sure which sections will be covered on a quiz or test, you will be able to find this information in Assignments, Quizzes and Tests . (http://www.emunix.emich.edu/~phoward/s08/170s8asg.htm)
  The point distribution for tests, quizzes, and the final will be:
  1. 1 test @100 ----- 100 points
  2. Best 3 out of 4 quizzes ----- 30 points
  3. Homework ------50 points
  4. Final Exam ------100 or 200 points
     (If your grade on the final exam is better than your average going into the final then I will count your final 200 points.  Otherwise you final will be counted as 100 points.  In other words, I will count your final double if it helps your grade.)
• Prerequisites:   The prerequisites for Math 170 are Placement or at least a C in Math 098 or Math 098B or Math 104, Math 105, Math 107, Math 109 or Math 120 .
• Other things to note:
  • A graphing calculator is required for Math 170.   The Department strongly recommends the TI-83.
  • Some of our assignments will use spread sheets.  We will use Microsoft Excel in class but you may use another program if you prefer.  
  • Since I hand out solutions to quizzes shortly after they are taken, I do not like to give make ups on quizzes.  If you miss a quiz for a valid reason please talk to me and I will arrange to count some later quiz double.  Tests may be made up if you have a valid reason for missing the test and you talk to me in advance.
  • Tutoring is available in the Mathematics Student Services Center located on the second floor of Pray-Harrold.  Their hours will be announced shortley after the semester begins.
  • For information about support services for students with special needs see the link at www.math.emich.edu/access.services.html.
  • International students should check the link www.math.emich.edu/SEVIS.html.