Instructor - Dr. James J. Cochran

• 117A CAB Building

T, Th 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

W 8:00 a.m. - noon

or by appointment

Text

Anderson, David R., Dennis J. Sweeney, and Thomas A. Williams, Essentials of Modern Business Statistics with Microsoft Excel, South-Western College Publishing, 4^th edition, 2007

Prerequisite(s)

• Computer literacy (ability to learn and use Excel^Ò)

• MATH 125

The purpose of this course is to provide the student with an understanding of how to use basic descriptive and inferential statistical techniques to solve business oriented problems. This purpose will be achieved through understanding:

• for what uses different statistical techniques are suitable and why they are appropriate for their intended use;

• the circumstances under which the use of particular statistical tests are appropriate;

• the mathematical mechanics of each statistical test;

• how to interpret and explain the results achieved when using various statistical tests; and

• how to perform these tests using the computer.

You will be expected to do much more than simply solve textbook problems. Above all else, you must be able to determine what statistical course of action is most appropriate under various circumstances. This means you must understand the concepts (not just memorize them). In doing so you will develop valuable analytic skills and your ability to think critically.

Office Hours and Student Appointments:

In compliance with Louisiana Tech University policy, I maintain ten office hours every week the university is open throughout the quarter. These hours are available so that I can i) answer specific questions students have about concepts covered in the course(s) I am teaching, ii) answer questions about course policy, iii) advise undergraduate students during registration, and iv). I maintain these office hours for your benefit – please utilize them. However, they are open, so you may have to wait until I have finished working with students who arrived prior to you. I will also make an appointment with a student outside of office hours if necessary. Finally, note that I share an office suite (CAB 117) with another faculty member – if I am not in my office, please do not disturb the faculty member with whom I share my office suite (i.e., if you come to my office and I am not in, do not ask if the faculty member with whom I share an office suite knows where I am or when I will be back).

Students With Learning Disabilities

Any student with a diagnosed learning disability should advise me of any special considerations (extra time for exams, exam proctors, etc.) immediately so that we can make proper arrangements for exams, etc. Please do not hesitate to see me about such issues. Louisiana Tech University is subject to the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare regulations implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section 504 provides that "No otherwise qualified handicapped individual in the United States . . . shall, solely by reason of his handicapped be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. This regulation includes students with hearing, visual, motor, or learning disabilities and states that colleges and universities must make 'reasonable adjustments' to ensure that academic requirements are not discriminatory. Modifications may require rescheduling classes from inaccessible to accessible buildings, providing access to auxiliary aids such as tape recorders, special lab equipment, or other services such as readers, note takers, or interpreters. It further requires that exams actually evaluate students' progress and achievement rather than reflect their impaired skills. This may require oral or taped tests, readers, scribes, separate testing rooms, or extension of time limits.' I sincerely endorse this policy and encourage you to please see me if you do have a diagnosed learning disability so that I can work with you to ensure that you have the same educational opportunities as all other students.

Webpage

1. updates on reading assignments, homework assignment due dates, examination schedules, and general information;

2. the syllabus;

3. ‘The Ten Deadly Sins of College Composition’;

4. ‘Suggested Problem Solving Techniques’;

5. practice problems;

6. suggested exam study checklists; and

7. the slides presented during lectures (for you to print and use during the meeting(s) when the material is discussed in class)

You should visit and review this page regularly.

Homework

All textbook problems listed on the tentative outline are assigned. On approximately two to four occasions, I will announce in a class meeting a list of several homework problems from the syllabus that I will collect at the beginning of the next class meeting (or after two class meetings during the summer). These problems will be graded for completeness and correctness, and will be taken from material that has been covered prior to the date the assignment is announced. I strongly encourage you to complete the homework problems listed on the tentative schedule (at the end of this syllabus) to avoid trying to complete these problems at the last minute. I will also post each of these assignments on the QA 233 Virtual Classroom scroll bar late on the afternoon the assignment is made (so even if you miss a class meeting, you can learn of a homework assignment). Each problem is to be clearly labeled (with the chapter and problem) number and completed on a separate page, and all pages for a homework assignment must be stapled. Note that each problem will be graded on a full credit/no credit basis (i.e., no partial credit) and you must show all steps to receive full credit (problems for which you provide insufficient evidence of your work will receive no credit). Also note that no late homework assignments will be accepted – you should complete the homework problems listed on the tentative schedule as we cover the material in class and check the QA 233 Virtual Classroom scroll bar if you miss a class meeting so you can complete and submit these assignments on their due dates without undue difficulty (if you cannot attend a class meeting when a homework assignment is due, you can turn your assignment in to me early or give your completed problems to a classmate to submit for you). Homework problems will be discussed in class only if questions are asked. Additional practice problems will periodically be posted on the QA 233 Virtual Classroom.

Note that the accepted standard is that a student should spend three hours outside of class studying for every hour of class meeting time. This implies that you should budget approximately twelve hours to study the material in QA 233 every week (of course, a student who has a stronger background/are better prepared may not require as much study time, while a student who has a weaker background/are not as well prepared may require more study time). The decision about how much study time to devote to this course is entirely yours, but I suggest you err on the conservative side when making this decision (i.e., spend more time studying than you think you need). The twelve weekly study hours could logically be partitioned in the following manner:

Read Textbook 1 – 2 hours

Review Notes & Lecture Material 1 – 2 hours

Homework & Other Assignments 9 Hours

Class Participation

Participation in classroom discussion of course material and homework problems is essential for good understanding, even in large classrooms. Questions and comments are encouraged. However, discussion of anything (including course material) with other students is rude and disruptive and will not be tolerated. Repeated late arrivals to class are also rude and disruptive and will not be allowed. Reading newspapers (or other non-class related material) is also rude and disruptive and will not be permitted. Unless silent, cell phones and pagers must be turned of prior to the beginning of class and remain off for the duration of the class.

Quizzes

Approximately two to three times every week, you will be given a short (no more than 10 minute) unscheduled quiz. The quizzes will consist of simple questions and/or problems that allow you to demonstrate that you comprehend (on a very elemental level) the material we are discussing. A quiz may include questions and/or problems concerning any material discussed or assigned up to the point the quiz is given (including material discussed during the class meeting in which the quiz is administered). Note that no partial credit will be given for the quizzes. However, each student will be given an opportunity to earn full credit for up to two (2) missed or incorrect quizzes.

Interim Examinations

Comprehensive Final Examination

Final Grades

I will only consider adjusting grades (i.e., “curving”) when assigning the final grades. If you wish to receive your final grade before official grade reports are mailed, you may leave a stamped, self-addressed envelope with me by the day of your final exam and I will mail your grade to you. I cannot, under any circumstances, send your grade to you through e-mail or give a grade out over the telephone - this would violate the Family Rights and Education Privacy Act (FERPA). I will also retain your formula sheets and final exams for you to review for the first three weeks of the following (Winter) quarter. The only justifications for changing final grades are i) mistakes in grading and ii) mistakes in recording your grade(s). No second chances (i.e., incompletes or retakes) will be given once you have taken your final exam.

Extra Credit

No opportunities to gain extra credit are provided.

Policy on Late Assignments and Missed Exams

Late assignments will not be accepted. If you know you will miss a class when an assignment is due you may turn the assignment in early, give the assignment to a classmate to turn in for you on the due date, or mail the assignment to me on or before the due date so that the postmark shows that the assignment was completed on time. Late computer assignments will be accepted only if the date given on the printout satisfies the due date. If you miss a interim exam, prior arrangements have been made with me, and documentation of an acceptable reason (medical emergency, death in family, automobile accident) is provided, I will re-weight your final examination so that it counts for both the missed interim exam and the final exam.

Policy on Reporting Grades

In accordance with the Family Education Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA), I am not permitted to:

• post a physical list of your grades;

• give a grade over the telephone; or

• give a grade through e-mail.

If you are not in class when I distribute a graded assignment or exam, you must come to my office (either during office hours or by appointment) to receive your grade. If you wish to receive your final grade before the Registrar records and posts it, you must give me a SASE by the time you take your final exam so that I can mail your final grade to you. I will not be in my office during the academic break, so the only way to receive your final grade early is to provide me a SASE by the time you take your final exam.

Policy on Section Switching

I frequently teach two sections of QA 233 in the same quarter. When this occurs, you may attend only the section for which you are enrolled. All sections of QA 233 are usually closed (full) and each of my sections may proceed through the subject material at a slightly different pace (although the coverage for the two sections will be equivalent at the end of the quarter).

Degree Candidates

Occasionally a non-business major or accounting major takes QA 233 in her/his final quarter before graduation. I usually have to submit final grades for these students to the Registrar’s office a few days prior to the deadline for other students’ final grades. If you are scheduled to graduate at the end of this quarter, please let me know immediately so we can plan for this.

Student Responsibilities

1. Be seated and ready to begin when class starts.

2. Remain seated throughout the class (unless you have an emergency).

3. Remain attentive throughout the class.

4. Refrain from disruptive behavior throughout the class.

1. Don’t talk to other classmates (about anything) during class.

2. Turn cell phones and beepers with audible signals off.

5. Take responsibility for your education:

1. Come to class prepared (i.e., with your assignments completed).

2. Ask questions when you don’t understand.

3. Comply with the Louisiana Tech University Student Honor Code. The Honor Code statement will be included on every examination. Your continued enrolment in this class constitutes agreement by you to comply with the Louisiana Tech University Student Honor Code (i.e., don’t cheat).

4. Be concerned about understanding and learning - your grade will take care of itself.

5. Take initiative to work out problems on your own.

6. Complete all prerequisites prior to enrolling for this class.

1. Have an appropriate level of mathematical maturity.

2. Be computer literate at the necessary level.

Instructor Responsibilities

1. Arrive to and begin class promptly.

2. Don’t keep class beyond the dismissal time.

3. Be prepared and organized for each lecture.

4. Attempt to give students a perspective that differs from the textbook.

5. Encourage students to i) ask questions and ii) think about the course material.

6. Provide students with i) concrete examples and ii) opportunities to work on realistic applications.

7. Maintain reasonable availability to discuss questions with students outside of class.

1. Have a reasonable amount of accessible office hours.

2. Be available, with reasonable advance notice, for appointments of reasonable i) length and ii) time.

FAQ’s

17. Will this be on an exam?

17. You said you considered improvement. Even though I earned 22% and 25% on my two interim exams and then earned a 44% on my final exam (and so basically DOUBLED my interim exam scores on my final exam), I still received a final letter grade of 'F." Why?

1. While improvement must be substantial to be a consideration in your final grade, it can not overcome a series of poor grades (particularly when the final exam grade is poor). A student who does not pass any exam can not expect to pass the course.

17. Why don’t the exam problems look like the homework or practice problems?

1. Ask questions in class when you don’t understand - the opportunity to do so is a primary reason for your attendance;

2. Read the assigned material before class - you will find that the lectures are much clearer when you do so; and

3. Visit my office and ask for an explanation. However, do not wait until you are totally lost - it is not feasible for me to provide reviews of entire lectures or assigned chapters for individual students.

In order to correct the problem, you must become acutely diligent about your coursework. You must work assiduously and contentiously on the course material throughout the academic term. Make a realistic study schedule in which you budget regular and frequent sessions that you will devote to each of your courses and adhere to this schedule. Of course, you should also promptly discuss (with me, in my office) any difficulties you are having with the course material.

17. There were times when the class lectures didn’t coincide with the readings, problems, and slide sets assigned for that day on the syllabus. Why can’t the class follow the schedule on the detailed course syllabus?

1. There are three reasons you are required to take this course. They are, in no particular order: