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Math 140 - Introduction to Statistics - Matt Teachout

Course:Introduction to Statistics
Professor:Matt Teachout
Email:matt.teachout@canyons.edu
Format:
  • InPerson
Course Length:
  • Applies to All Course Lengths

Introduction

Welcome to Math 140 Introduction to Statistics.  My name is Matt Teachout.  My last name is pronounced "2-Show".  Math 140 is a basic introduction to the principles and theory behind statistics and analyzing data.  Understanding how decisions are made with data is an important skill in the modern world.  There are many jobs available in this field including data analyst, data scientist, and statistician.  

Course Description

Math 140 examines statistical methods including collecting data, bias, experimental design, categorical and quantitative data analysis, regression, probability, sampling and theoretical distributions, population estimations, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, categorical and quantitative association tests and how to use computer-based statistical software.

What to Expect in this Course

Important Class Information

  • Face-to-Face Meetings: The following information is for face-to-face in-person classes offered at either the COC Valencia campus or the COC Canyon Country campus.
  • Teachout’s Sickness/Mask Policy: We do not want to spread Covid-19, Flu, or colds to the people in our class.  If you are feeling poorly (see symptoms list below), or have been exposed to Covid-19, please do NOT come to class.  During class, I would like everyone to wear a mask to protect yourselves and others in the class.
     
  • COC Covid-19 Policy:  COC must abide by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.  Covid-19 information may change throughout the semester as the number of Covid-19 cases rise or fall.  Click on the following link for the most up to date information.

              https://www.canyons.edu/administration/pio/notices/index.php

  • Mandatory Covid-19 Reporting:  You must notify the COVID-19 Compliance Team – (661) 993-7670 or email at covid@streetconsultinggroup.com – if you experience COVID-19 symptoms, receive a positive test result, or receive a physician's diagnosis of likely or presumed COVID-19.
  • Monitor for Sickness Symptoms: Do not enter campus if you have experienced any of the symptoms below in the past 14 days. Contact the COVID-19 Compliance Team: (661) 993-7670 or email at covid@streetconsultinggroup.com
    • Fever
    • Cough
    • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
    • Fatigue
    • Chills
    • Congestion or runny nose
    • Sore throat
    • New loss of taste or smell
    • Gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, diarrhea or vomiting
    • Muscle or body aches
    • Headaches
  • Student Absence Policy:  If you are feeling poorly, please do NOT come to class.  We do not want to spread Covid-19, Flu, or colds to the people in our class.  Email Mr. Teachout and let him know so he can send you a make-up lecture video and what work to do.  You can make-up the classwork and homework points by watching an online lecture video, turning in video notes, and completing the textbook problems assigned.  
  • Instructor Absence Policy:  If Mr. Teachout is absent due to illness, you will receive an email letting you know not to come to class as well as an online lecture video to watch and textbook problems to do.  You will be required to turn in notes from the lecture video as well as the textbook problems. 
     
  • Tutoring:  If you need tutoring or help, feel free to attend Mr. Teachout’s face-to-face office hours or you can email Mr. Teachout to set up one-on-one zoom tutoring.  The COC Tutoring Center (TLC) also offers free tutoring for all COC students.  Just go to canyons.edu/TLC.  You will need your student ID.  If you go to TLC, it is important to let the TLC know that you need Math 140 Statistics tutoring.
  • Textbook is free: We will be using the free textbook “Introduction to Statistics for Community College Students (1st edition) by Matt Teachout.  The textbook sections and problems may be found on the home page in Canvas or and at Mr. Teachout’s Website:  matt-teachout.org.  You do NOT need to purchase anything at the COC bookstore.
  • Class materials: The free textbook sections and problems may be found on the home page in Canvas or and at Mr. Teachout’s Website:  matt-teachout.org.  A small flash drive for saving work, 3x5 cards, a small calculator, paper, pencil and red pen are recommended. 
     
  • Vocabulary:  In many ways, statistics is a new language.  Before you can understand the theory, you will need to know the terms and definitions.  It is advisable to make 3x5 cards with the term on one side and the definition on the other.  3x5 cards are great for studying. 
     
  • Laptops and computers:  Statistics requires the use of computer software to create graphs and make difficult calculations.  We are meeting in a computer lab, so there are computers available to use.  Outside of class, computers are also available for student use in the TLC and in student computer labs.  You are welcome to use your own laptop if you prefer. 
  • Free Statistics Computer Software “StatKey”: We will be primarily using the free statistics analysis program StatKey. StatKey can be accessed at www.lock5stat.com.  StatKey does NOT need to downloaded and works great on both MAC and PC computers.  You will be taught how to use the program during the semester.  Homework problems may include pictures of other statistics software programs like Statcato for you to analyze.  For these kinds of problems, you will only need to analyze the graph or statistics provided.  Do NOT download Statcato.  If a computer calculation is needed, you will be calculating with StatKey.
  • Excel:  Class data sets are saved in Excel files.  Computers in the TLC and in the classroom have Excel installed.  If you want to use your own laptop, it is recommended to have Excel. Excel is freely available for download from your MyCanyons account.
  • Typical Class Day: The class usually meets twice a week, except for COC holidays.  Each day, you will get a lecture from Mr. Teachout and work on problems in class. You will usually finish problems and study material for homework.
  • Time Commitment: A face-to-face 16-week Math 140 class meets 5 hours per week, not counting homework time. A face-to-face 8 week class meets 10 hours a week.  A face to face 5 week meets 18.5 hours per week.  You will need additional hours each week to study and complete projects and homework assignments.  If you do not have an appropriate number of hours set aside each week to attend class, study, and work on the material, it is best not to take the class. 
  • Work Ethic:  It is very important to your success in the class that you do not fall behind too much.  Keep up with attending class, working on the problems in the textbook, and completing your quizzes and projects. 
     
  • Classwork/Homework Assignments:  Each day you will get points for taking notes on the lecture and for problems done during class.  Homework Assignments are usually to finish problems assigned from the textbook that we did not finish during class, study for quizzes and work on projects.  All classwork and homework assignments are worth 10 points. Classwork/Homework assignments are worth 15% of your grade in the class.  
  • Final Exam: At the end of the class, there will be a cumulative final exam.  The final exam is worth 15% of your grade in the class.
  • Projects: There are four projects in the class each worth 10% of your grade for a total of 40% of your grade in the class.  There are detailed directions explaining each project.  
  • Quizzes:  There will be regular quizzes during class checking for understanding. Quizzes are worth 30% of your grade in the class.
     
  • Formulas:  A key part of modern statistics is using technology to solve problems, and not do complicated statistics calculations with formula and calculator. Whenever possible, we will use the statistics software StatKey to calculate statistics and create graphs.  Formulas are useful to study so that we can better understand and explain the concepts.
     
  • Email Needs: You will need a valid MyCanyons email account that you will regularly check.
  • Canvas: You will need to be able to access the class Canvas page.  There is free access to the textbook as well as project directions.

Types of Assessments

  • Four Projects:  Worth 40% of your overall grade in Math 140 (10% each).
  • Classwork/Homework Assignments:  Worth 15% of your overall grade in Math 140
  • Quizzes during class:  Worth 30% of your overall grade.
  • Cumulative Final Exam during class: Worth 15% of your overall grade in Math 140

Textbook Information / Link to ZTC Textbook

The textbook is free! We will be using the free textbook “Introduction to Statistics for Community College Students (1st edition) by Matt Teachout.  The textbook does NOT need to be printed.  The free textbook sections, problems, and lecture videos will be included in your canvas class. The textbook sections, problems and lecture videos can also be found under the "Statistics" menu at Mr. Teachout’s website:  matt-teachout.org.  You do NOT need to purchase anything at the COC bookstore.

Other Relevant Course Information

More detailed information will be provided on the syllabus.

Additional Resources

Canvas

This course can be accessed on the first day of class via Canvas at https://coc.instructure.com. Log into Canvas using your CanyonsID single sign-on:

  • CanyonsID Username is your COC student email address (Ex: username@my.canyons.edu)
  • CanyonsID Password is your COC student email password

Please visit the Get to Know Your Online Classroom page for help logging into Canvas and for tips on using Canvas and Zoom. Canvas Chat Support is also available 24/7 for any Canvas related issues.

Online Education

Check out the Online Education website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student such as: exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your skills.

The Learning Center (TLC)

The TLC provides FREE online tutoring resources to COC students!

Academic Accommodation Center (AAC)

College of the Canyons AAC provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at COC. A variety of programs and services are available which afford eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations. For more information on their services visit the Academic Accomodation Center website.

Online Counseling

The Counseling Department offers appointments online. You can schedule an appointment by visiting the Online Counseling website. Counselors can help you map out a plan to reach your educational goals as well as advise you on course selection and registration.

Management of Stress and Mental Health

College of the Canyons cares about your emotional and physical health. Learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including free counseling and mental health services available during this time by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center website or by calling them at: 661-362-3259.

The National Suicide Lifeline number is 1-800-273- 8255 (TALK). Please call it if you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress - it could save someone's life.

You can also use the Crisis Text Line: Just text "Courage" to 741741. It's free, available 24/7, and confidential.

Veterans Resource Center

The College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center is a department within the Student Services Division at the college, created to help veterans and veteran dependents with applying to College of the Canyons, enrolling in classes, and requesting VA Education or Vocational Benefits. For more information please visit the Veterans Resource Center website, email veterans@canyons.edu or phone (661) 362-3469.

Library

The Library provides live online and in-person research help, access to a full range of e-resources and physical materials that support the curriculum, individual and group study areas, and much more!

Last updated: 01/22/2023 Sub#: 1538