This first course in Probability and Statistics acquaints students with the fundamentals of descriptive and inferential analysis, sampling issues, and regression analysis. Students are introduced to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. Common themes include making observations about patterns and departures from patterns, recognizing theoretical patterns in models based upon probability, and making inferences about populations from samples.

You must obtain a 3-ring binder to contain your notes, homework, handouts, quizzes, and tests. Keeping this binder up to date will prove invaluable before term exams and the final exam. It is important that you keep careful records of your work, both written and electronic, so that you can see your progress related to the Babson competencies. Bring your calculator with you to each class. There will be extensive use of Minitab statistical software and some use of Excel spreadsheets. Use of laptops will be encouraged and will be required for certain classes. If you do not own a laptop then notify the instructor beforehand and arrive early to each class that requires laptop use.

Work outside of class is an essential part of the course. You may do homework individually or in teams; however each student must submit his/her own homework in a cardboard pocket folder with your name and section number printed on the front of the folder. Answers to many exercises in the text are provided in the back of the book. They are meant to give you feedback and should be used judiciously. Answers alone are generally not sufficient on written homework. In most cases you must describe a process and include computer output with a written interpretation of results. Work must be done on standard size (8.5" by 11") paper and is due at the beginning of class. Your name (printed or typed) and the due date should appear as a header on the upper right of the front page. Before you hand in any written assignment make sure that the sheets are in proper sequence and then staple them. All written homework should be neat, legible and organized. Certain lab reports and projects will require Minitab output embedded in a word processing document. Any assignment or project that does not meet the specified requirements or is not submitted on the due-date announced in class or on ecampus, will not receive credit. If you wish to have copies of a recent homework paper to study for a quiz or a test (before it comes back from the grader) then you should make a photocopy.

Lab reports and other projects may be done in groups of three students or less. Good teamwork trains you to work in groups and allows an exchange of ideas among team members. It is essential that everyone in a team actively participates and is able to do all of the work on their own. If you choose to do lab work in a team then your team must hand in exactly one document containing a title page with the names and signatures of all group members (the signatures validate that each member made a significant contribution to the report). Students should be prepared to give a written assessment of the contributions of each team member. Other guidelines and policies regarding group projects and lab reports will be discussed in class.

Ten-point quizzes will be given throughout the course on Fridays. Generally, notes are not permitted on quizzes and little or no partial credit is given. If you miss a quiz for any reason, it cannot be made up. Your lowest quiz grade, however, will not be counted. There will be two 60-75 minute term examinations plus a two-hour final examination. Term exams are tentatively scheduled for Feb 28 and April 14. The final exam is currently scheduled for May 9. Exact dates, times and locations will be announced in class and posted electronically. For each term exam and for the final exam, students may bring one sheet of their own handwritten or typewritten notes on both sides of 8.5 by 11-inch paper. A photocopy of someone else’s note sheet will not be allowed. These notes will be collected. Some partial credit will be given on exams. You will not be allowed more time if you arrive late to a quiz or test. Makeups on exams will be considered only if you have a legitimate written excuse approved by the Office of Class Deans. A medical emergency, an automobile accident, or the death of an immediate family member or close friend are examples of legitimate excuses. Air travel on the day of a scheduled class is not a legitimate excuse so please avoid making last minute travel arrangements around spring break. Assuming that the Office of Class Deans confirms your legitimate excuse, you must take responsibility for providing me with an explanation by e-mail and you must make up the exam at the earliest possible agreed upon time.

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