Course Syllabus
Economics 3818-200
Introduction to Statistics with Computer Application
Fall 2005
Nicholas Flores, Associate Professor
Economics 114
Voice: (303) 492-8145
Email: nicholas.flores@colorado.eduLecture Location: Humanities 250
Meeting Times: Monday/Wednesday/Friday 12 p.m. - 12:50 p.m. plus assigned recitation.
Office Hours: Monday 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.; Wednesday 3 - 3:30 p.m.; and by appointmentTeaching Assistant: Eric Stuen
Office: Economics TBA
Email: Eric.Stuen@colorado.edu
Office Hours: TBA
Recitation Locations:
211, Tuesday 8 - 8:50 a.m., Muen E 114
212, Monday 4 - 4:50 p.m., Econ 2
213, Wednesday 4 - 4:50 p.m., Econ 2Textbooks: The Basic Practice of Statistics 3rd Edition, David S. Moore
Excel Manual for Moore's Basic Practice of Statistics, Fred M. Hoppe
Study Guide for Moore's Basic Practice of Statistics, Michael Flinger and William NotzNecessary Hardware and Software: Microsoft Excel will be used for much of the data analysis. The Excel manual listed under textbooks is highly recommended since it will lead you through the Excel applications for the course. Microsoft Excel is supported in all of the campus computer labs, including the lab in the basement of the Economics building. The manual is designed specifically for this course. In addition to using Excel, you will need a two variable graphing calculator that has functions for correlation, mean, standard deviation, and least squares regression line. This calculator will be necessary for in-class exercises as well as for tests.
Course Objectives
This course introduces statistical methods and their applications to a variety of problems, including economics and business. The course will provide an inductive treatment of statistical methods. Rather than focus on your memorizing formulas, a strong emphasis will be placed on the analysis of data which will require extensive use of Microsoft Excel on the computer and a graphing calculator in class. In order to succeed in the course, you will need to keep up with all of the work (readings, lecture, homework) because the concepts and techniques build on one another. Class and recitation attendance is mandatory (policy below).
Prerequisites
Course prerequisites are Economics 1000, or 2010 and 2020; and Economics 1078 and 1088 or equivalent. These prerequisites are strictly enforced.
Course Components
- Lecture: With help from you and your fellow students, we will try to make lectures an interactive experience. I will encourage participation by calling on you and hopefully you will at times desire to share your own insights and experiences.
- Class Exercises: Some topics lend themselves to in-class exercises as another way of learning. These exercises will sometimes involve the entire class and at other times involve smaller groups down to the individual level.
- In-class Quizzes: There will be weekly in-class quizes that will help prepare you for exams.
- Homework: There will be mandatory homework assignments for each section. These assignments will be graded on a standard zero to one hundred point scale. Homework plays a prominent role in your success in the class.
Evaluative Criteria
- Midterms & Final: Two in-class midterms and a final will be given on the dates noted below. Make-up exams will not be possible for the midterms. If you have a legitimate and verifiable excuse, test weighting can be adjusted. Otherwise missing a midterm will result in a zero for the midterm that was missed. The final is mandatory. Failing to write the final will result in an F regardless of the average coming into the final.
Homework 15%
In-class Quizes 15%
Midterm I 20%
Midterm II 20%
Final 30%Important Dates
August 22, First Day of This Class
September 5, Labor Day (no Class)
October 13 - 14, Fall Break
November 24 - 25, Thanksgiving Break
December 7, Last Day of This Class
December 10 (Saturday), Final Exam 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.Attendance Requirement
Daily attendance will be taken in both class and recitation beginning the second class meeting and the first recitation. In order to receive a passing grade in the course, you must attend a minimum of 80% of the lectures and 80% of the recitations. A sign-in sheet will be circulated during each class and recitation meeting. It is your responsibility to make sure that you have signed in by the end of class and recitation.
Special Accommodations Policy
If you have specific physical, psychiatric, or learning disabilities and require accommodations, please let me know early in the semester so that your learning needs may be appropriately met. You will need to provide documentation of your disability to the Disability Services Office in Willard 322 (phone 303-492-8671). Furthermore, if you require time off for special religious or cultural holidays, this should be arranged in advance with me.
Policy Regarding Academic Dishonesty
Academic dishonestly will not be tolerated. Breaches of this policy will result in a course grade of F and a reporting of the incident to academic affairs.
Course Assignments and Announcements (link)