Probability and Statistics

Course Details

Course Number
Section Number
Spring 2014
Bolin Hall
Classroom Number
Days & Times

TR 8:00 - 9:20

Dr. Joel Schmitter (view Profile)

Course Attachments


Course Objectives


   Differentiate between Descriptive and inferential statistics. Identify the four basic sampling techniques. Understand how statistics can be abused. Organize data using frequency distributions, histograms, and stem and leaf plots.

    Summarize data using mean, median and mode for measures of central tendency and range, variance and standard deviation for measures of variation. Finding and  understanding percentiles and quartiles. Summarize data using box plots and five- number summaries. Finding z-scores.

    Finding the probability of an event using classical and empirical probability.  Using the addition and multiplication rules of probability and finding conditional  probabilities. Understanding the difference between dependent and independent events.

    Find the mean, standard deviation and expected value of a discrete probability distribution. Find probabilities for a binomial experiment and the mean and standard deviation of a binomial distribution.

    Identify the properties of a normal distribution. Finding probabilities using z- scores and the standard normal distribution.

   Use the central limit theorem to solve problems involving sample means.

   Form confidence intervals for the mean and for a proportion. Find the sample size  needed to form a confidence interval.

   Explain what type I and II errors are in a hypothesis test. Perform hypothesis tests for a mean and a proportion.

   Perform hypothesis tests for the difference of two means.

   Perform hypothesis tests for the difference of two Proportions and the paired difference experiment.

   Draw scatter plots, compute correlation coefficients and find the least squares line of regression.

   Perform a goodness of fit test


Course Expectations

There will be 4 exams worth 100 points each, 10 quizzes or homework assignments worth a total of 100 points, and a comprehensive final exam worth 150 points. Your 2 lowest quiz scores will not count toward your grade

Grading Standards

90 - 100%   A

80  - 89        B

70 - 79         C

60 - 69         D

0   - 59          F

Final Exam

05/08/2014 8:00 AM

Submission Format Policy


Late Paper Policy

Missed quizzes cannot be made up. If you miss an exam you must arrange to makeup the exam before the next class period. Only one exam can be made up.

Plagiarism Policy


Student Honor Creed






Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities


Safe Zones Statement


Contacting your Instructor


Attendance Requirements

A student with more than 4 absences may be dropped from the course.

Other Policies




                                                         STATISTICS 3573

                                             PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS  

Instructor: Joel Schmitter

Office : Bolin 118P

Phone : 397-4262

Office Hours :    MWF                   10:00 - 11:00 

                           TR                         9:30 -  11:00  

                           MTWR                   3:00 - 4:00

                           or by appointment


                          Monsday 3:00 - 4:00 will be in the math help session Bolin 101


Prerequisites: Math 1233 or a satisfactory score on the placement exam.


Grading:  There will be 3 exams worth 100 points each, 10 quizzes or homework assignments worth a total of 100 points,  and a comprehensive final exam worth 150 points. Your 2 lowest quiz scores will not count toward your grade. Missed quizzes can not be made up. If you miss an exam you must arrange to makeup the exam before the next class period. Only one exam can be made up.


            % of total points      Grade

                 90 - 100                A

                 80 - 89                  B

                 70 - 79                  C

                 60 - 69                  D

                  0 -  59                  F


Attendance: A student with more than 4 absences may be dropped from the course.


In accordance with the law, MSU provides students with documented disabilities academic accommodations. If you are a student with a disability, please contact me.


  Students should refer to the current MSU Student Handbook and Activities Calendar for university policies on academic dishonesty, class attendance, student rights and activities.


Tentative outline

Week of    sec. covered                  

Jan     13     1, 2.1 - 2.5

           20     3.1 - 3.4

           27     4.1 - 4.6

Feb       3     5.1 - 5.4

           10     Exam 1

           17     6.1 - 6.4

           24     6.5 ,6.6, 7.1, 7.2

March   3     7.3 - 7.4, 8.1 – 8.3

           10     Exam 2

           17     Spring Break

           24      8.4, 8.5, 9.1, 9.2

           31      9.3, 9.4

April     7     10.1 – 10.4

           14      11.1 - 11.3

           21      Exam 3

           28      Review for Final


  May     8      Final Exam   Thursday    8:00 - 10:00


Writing Proficiency Requirement


Campus Carry

