Fundamentals of Statistics
(STAT 110)

Fundamentals of Statistics is a first course in statistics with an emphasis on applications. It will promote critical thinking about statistics. We will emphasize class discussions about statistics in the news media and scientific journals. We will use the computer to conduct statistical analyses.

Students that have completed MATH 140 or MATH 160 should take STAT 210 instead of STAT 110. If you are not sure you should be taking this course please consult you advisor.

Instructor: Mr. Ed Callahan

e-mail:

stat110@edcallahan.com

I check my email frequently throughout the day and this is usually the best way to contact me.

Phone:

Office: 457-5611

Home:

(608) 687-3205 (home office) or
(608) 687-4039 (residential).

While these are Wisconsin phone numbers they are usually toll free calls from Winona and you probably won't need to dial the area code.

Do not call these home numbers before 8AM or after 9PM

Office:

209 Stark

My office can be hard to find, ask the secretary in the Engineering office where I am if you can't find it.

Office Hours

I encourage you to meet with me outside of class if you have questions about course materials, or for any other reason. I do not have regular office hours though so you will need to set up a time with me by talking to me after class or by sending me an e-mail.

Textbook:

Statistics (8th edition) by McClave, Dietrish and Sincich (required)

Course Website:

http://www.edcallahan.com/stat110 

Class announcements, homework assignments and solutions, grades and lecture notes are available on the website. You should check the homepage for announcements regularly.

There is a web discussion board available for this class. In past semesters it has been a very popular way to ask questions about homework problems and such. You do not need to use your name on the discussion board. I will post most questions I get via private e-mail there (without using anyone's name) along with my answers. Please use informative subjects on the discussion board, it is confusing when there a lots of posts with the same subject, such as "Exam I question".

Because of copyright concerns some of the webpages containing newspaper articles and other reading assignments are password protected. This is not so much to restrict access to the pages but to make sure these pages are not indexed by internet search engines such as www.altavista.com. The username and password you need to use to access these protected pages are both stat110 (in lower case).

SAS/JMP:

We will use SAS/JMP software several times during the semester. Computers with SAS/JMP are available in the Math Lab on the third floor of Gildemeister Hall, in the Somson Mac Lab and at the Library.  You should acquire a computer diskette to save your work on.  If you like you can buy your own copy of JMP for either the PC or Mac at the WSU bookstore.

Tentative class schedule:

Exam dates listed here are tentative and subject to change. Actual exam dates will be announced in class and posted on the class website at least one week prior to the exam.

Homework assignments will be given during most class meetings and will generally be due the following class meeting. You must show all work in your assignments to receive credit. Essay type questions should be answered clearly and in an organized manner to receive full credit.

It is imperative that your homework be neat and organized. Problems that are not clearly legible or that are difficult to follow will be marked wrong. All homework must be done in pencil.

I will accept late homework without penalty up until I grade that assignment. I will not accept late homework if I have already graded that assignment.

Homework assignments will be posted on this web site here as well as in class. Solutions to homework assignments will be posted on the web site here after I have graded the assignment.

We will have three exams and a cumulative final. I have not yet set dates for the exams but you will get at least one week prior notice.

We will also have periodic in-class quizzes. They will be announced in the class prior to the quiz and on the class homepage.

Homework, quiz and exam grades will be available online here.

Final Grade:

E-mail Mr. Callahan at stat110@edcallahan.com with questions or comments about this web site or about the class itself.