Stat 266 Course Outline – Winter 2021

STATISTICS 266 – STATISTICS II

University of Alberta – Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences

http://www.elearning.ualberta.ca

Note: All times listed in this course outline and eClass and any other files are MST.

Instructor:    Mike Kowalski, CAB 487, [email protected] (Subject line should say “Stat266”)

                      Lecture: TR 12:30pm – 1:50pm (on Zoom)

                      Office hours through Zoom: TBA

Lecture Delivery:

•    Lecture material will be primarily delivered through screencasts posted on eClass.

•    Students are required to watch the pre-recorded videos according to the tentative schedule.

•    Live ZOOM classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30pm – 1:50pm: These sessions will be used for review, supplementary practice sessions and/or office hours. Appropriate files will be posted on eClass. Subject to change.

Technology and Remote Learning: To successfully participate in remote learning in this course, it is required that students have access to a computer with an internet connection that can support the tools and technologies the University uses to deliver content, engage with instructors, TAs, and fellow students, and facilitate assessment and examinations. Please refer to Technology for Remote Learning - For Students for details. If you encounter difficulty meeting the technology recommendations, please email the Dean of Students Office ([email protected]) directly to explore options and support. Please contact the instructor by the add/drop deadline if you do not have access to the minimum technology recommended. The instructor will make arrangements for accommodating students who contact the instructor before this date. Failure to do so may result in a zero in any assessment that depends on the minimum technology.

Student Resources for Remote Learning: Online learning may be new to you. Check out tips for success and find out more about online learning on the Campus Life page, and specifically on the Student Resources for Remote Learning page.

Calendar Description: Functions of random variables, sampling distributions, Central Limit Theorem, law of large numbers, statistical models for the data, likelihood, parameters and their interpretation, objectives of statistical inference, point and interval estimation, method of moments, basic notions of testing of hypotheses, errors of the first and second kind, significance level, power, p-value.

Prerequisites: STAT 265. Co-requisites: MATH 215 or 317, and MATH 225 or 227. Credit may not be obtained for both STAT 266 and either of STAT 222 or STAT 366. It is expected that students who are taking this course have acquired the knowledge of the prerequisite courses. Students who do not have the required prerequisites at the time of taking this course should not expect supplementary professorial tutoring from the instructor.

Course Objectives and Expected Learning Outcomes: We build on your knowledge of probability from STAT 265, and show how this information is put to practical use in statistics. Nevertheless, this course is quite theoretical and will prepare you for more advanced courses in statistics. By the end of the course, you should be comfortable with the basics of estimation and hypothesis testing, i.e., the core of traditional “mathematical statistics”.

Textbooks and References:

1)   Optional Textbook: Mathematical Statistics with Applications (7th edition) by Wackerly, Mendenhall, and Scheaffer (Duxbury Press, (2008)). The eBook options are available at https://www.nelsonbrain.com/shop/search/9780495110811.

2)   My online materials: Old course notes are posted. Specific notes for videos will be posted for you to fill in as you watch the videos. All my notes are based on the optional textbook. I will also have chapter practice questions for you to go over on your own time. Stat 266 Course Outline – Winter 2021 – Mike Kowalski

Syllabus: The following is a breakdown of the tentative topics we will cover.

Unit	Chapters/Sections in Recommended Text	Classes
Introduction/Review		1
6. Functions of Random Variables	6.1 - 6.7	5
7. Sampling Distributions	7.1 - 7.3	2
8. Point Estimation	8.1 – 8.4, 9.1 – 9.7	4
9. Confidence Estimation	8.5 – 8.9	3
10. Hypothesis Testing	10.1 – 10.11	3
Review/Optional		6

Course components and grade assessment:

•    Homework Assignments (12%): There are three homework assignments. See the homework file on e-class for all relevant information and problems. Assignment questions and solutions will be posted on e-class. Assignment will be submitted through Assign2 on eClass. Information

•    Midterm Exams (44% or 22%): There will be 2 term exams with equal weight held during class time on Tuesday, February 9 (Unit 6) and Thursday, March 18 (Units 7 and 8). The two scores will be combined to make up one midterm score. Practice exams will be available on the e-Class website. Format: TBA

•    Final Exam (44% or 66%): The final exam will be a cumulative 180 minute exam held Thursday, April 22 from 9:00am – 12:00pm. The date and time of the final examination is set by the Registrar and takes precedence over the date and time reported in this document. Students must verify this date on Beartracks when the final exam schedule is posted. Representative practice exams will be available on the e-Class website. Format: TBA

Final score (100%): Your final score will be a weighted average of the 3 course components, homework, midterm, and final exam. There will be two weighting schemes used to calculate the final score given as follows:

1)    Homework (12%), Midterms (44%), Final (44%),

2)    Homework (12%), Midterms (22%), Final (66%).

Your final score will be the higher of the two scores. Thus, if your combined average on the midterms is higher than the final your score will be based on scheme (1). If your average on the final is higher than your combined average on the midterms then your score will be based on scheme (2).

NOTE: If you miss a midterm with an acceptable reason (see missed components) then weighting scheme 2 will automatically be used.

Marking Policy: Based on your final score (out of 100%), I will assign letter grades according to the following guidelines:

Score	< 44.5	45- 48	49- 52	53- 57	58- 62	63- 67	68- 72	73- 77	78- 82	83- 88	89- 94	95- 100
Grade	F	D	D+	C-	C	C+	B-	B	B+	A-	A	A+

Grades are unofficial until approved by the Department and/or Faculty offering the course.

Summary of Important Dates (also see schedule posted on eClass):

Midterm and Final Exam Rules:

o    All exams will be held remotely using a remote proctoring service called SEM (please refer to the “SEM Student Guide” posted on eClass for more info). You MUST use Google Chrome to use SEM.

o    Tablets and mobile devices are incompatible with remote proctoring services.

o    Your computer and environment will be monitored during exams via a webcam. You MUST have a WebCam and Microphone (you don’t have to purchase them if both of these come with your desktop/laptop; if not, you can buy an external USB webcam that comes with a microphone).

o    You should arrange for a place to write exams without interruption.

o    You may be asked to upload a picture of your student OneCard during exam registration.

o    Students will not be allowed to begin an examination after it has been in progress for 30 minutes.

o    All exams are open book which means students can use any physical resources available.

o    You can use any scientific or financial calculator(s).

o    Electronic equipment, other than your calculators and your computer used to write your exams, cannot be used during the exam.

o    You are NOT permitted to access online or downloaded materials via a secondary device.

o    You will NOT be able to access materials on eClass other than the formula sheets and statistical tables.

o    You are NOT permitted to access any internet sites other than the eClass during the exam.

o    Copying, revealing, taking pictures, posting, sharing, photographing or redistributing exam questions to any third party during or at any time after the exam is strictly prohibited.

o    Communications with anyone (other than with me) during the exam is strictly prohibited.

o    You will have an allotted upload time in which a secondary device can be used to facilitate uploading your solutions.

o    Please review section 23.5 from the University of Alberta Calendar for other details regarding examinations.

o    Violation of these rules will result in violation of the Code of Student Behavior.

Missed Components: http://www.registrar.ualberta.ca/files/What_to_do_when_you_are_sick%5B1%5D.pdf

Term Exams and Assignments: There are no deferred term exams or term assignments. A student who cannot write a term examination or complete an assignment due to incapacitating illness, severe domestic affliction or other compelling reasons can apply for an excused absence. If approved, the weight of the missed component will be transferred to the final exam. To apply for an excused absence, a student must inform the instructor within two working days following the scheduled date of the term work or term exam missed, or as soon as the student is able, having regard to the circumstances underlying the absence. In all cases, instructors may request adequate documentation to substantiate the reason for the absence at their discretion.

Final Exam: A student who cannot write the final examination because of an incapacitating illness or is suffering from severe domestic affliction or other compelling reasons can apply for a deferred final examination. Such an application must be made to the student’s Faculty office within 48 hours of the missed examination and must be supported by a Statutory Declaration (in lieu of a medical statement form) or other appropriate documentation (Calendar section 23.5.6). The deferred final exam will be held Saturday, May 9, 2020 at 9:00am in CAB 357.

NOTE: Deferral of term work and/or examinations is a privilege and not a right; there is no guarantee that a deferral will be granted. Misrepresentation of Facts to gain a deferral is a serious breach of the Code of Student Behaviour.

Reexamination: A student who writes the final examination and fails the course may apply for a reexamination. Reexaminations are rarely granted in the Faculty of Science. These exams are governed by University (Calendar section 23.5.5) and Faculty of Science Regulations (Calendar section 192.5.3). Misrepresentation of Facts to gain a reexamination is a serious breach of the Code of Student Behaviour.Stat 266 Course Outline – Winter 2021 – Mike Kowalski

Student Responsibilities:

Note: It is strictly prohibited to post any course files (such as homework and exam questions) to external websites (such as Chegg or Coursehero or any other) for any reason and at ANY time. This is a violation of the Code of Student Behavior and if caught you will be reported for academic misconduct.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at www.governance.ualberta.ca) and avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University. All forms of dishonesty are unacceptable at the University. Any offense will be reported to the Senior Associate Dean of Science who will determine the disciplinary action to be taken. Cheating, plagiarism and misrepresentation of facts are serious offenses. Anyone who engages in these practices will receive at minimum a grade of zero for the exam or paper in question and no opportunity will be given to replace the grade or redistribute the weights. As well, in the Faculty of Science the sanction for cheating on any examination will include a disciplinary failing grade (no exceptions) and senior students should expect a period of suspension or expulsion from the University of Alberta.

All forms of academic dishonesty are unacceptable at the University. Any suspected offence will be reported to the Faculty of Science. Anyone who is found in violation of the Code of Student Behaviour may receive a sanction. Typical sanctions include conduct probation, a mark reduction or a mark of 0 on an assessment, a grade reduction or a grade of F in a course, a remark on the transcript, and a recommendation for suspension or expulsion.

Collaboration on Assignments: http://www.osja.ualberta.ca/Students/AppropriateCollaboration.aspx

Every term there are several students who receive academic penalties for copying assignments. Here are some tips to avoid copying on assignments:

(1)   Do not write down something that you cannot explain to your TA or instructor.

(2)   When you are helping other students, avoid showing them your work directly. Instead, explain your solution verbally. Students whose work is copied also receive academic sanctions.

(3)   If you find yourself reading another student's solution, do not write anything down. Once you understand how to solve the problem, remove the other person's work from your sight and then write up the solution to the question yourself. Looking back and forth between someone else's paper and your own paper is almost certainly copying and will result in academic sanctions for both you and your fellow student.

(4)   If the instructor or TA writes down part of a solution in order to help explain it to you or the class, you cannot copy it and hand it in for credit. Treat it the same way you would treat another student's work with respect to copying, that is, remove the explanation from your sight and then write up the solution yourself.

(5)   There is often more than one way to solve a problem. Choose the method that makes the most sense to you rather than the method that other students happen to use. If none of the ideas in your solution are your own, there is a good chance it will be flagged as copying.

•    Cell Phones: Cell phones are to be turned off during lectures, labs and seminars. Cell phones are not to be brought to exams (you cannot use your cell phone as a calculator).

•    Recording and/or Distribution of Course Materials: Audio or video recording, digital or otherwise, of lectures, labs, seminars or any other teaching environment by students is allowed only with the prior written consent of the instructor or as a part of an approved accommodation plan. Student or instructor content, digital or otherwise, created and/or used within the context of the course is to be used solely for personal study, and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose without prior written consent from the content author(s).

•    Students Eligible for Accessibility-Related Accommodations (students registered with Accessibility Resources - AR): Eligible students have both rights and responsibilities with regard to accessibility-related accomodations. Consequently, scheduling exam accommodations in accordance with SAS deadlines and procedures is essential. Please note adherence to procedures and deadlines is required for U of A to provide accommodations. Contact AR (https://www.ualberta.ca/current-students/accessibility-resources) for further information.

•    Student Success Centre: Students who require additional help in developing strategies for better time management, study skills, or examination skills should contact the Student Success Centre (2-300 Students’ Union Building).

•    Apps@UAlberta: All students are given a @ualberta.ca e-mail address. This e-mail address is available to the course instructor who may distribute relevant course information or announcements via e-mail. The University regularly communicates with students via e-mail. Check your UAlberta e-mail regularly or forward it to an e-mail address that you check regularly. If you use e-mail to communicate with your instructor, you must use your UAlberta account. This is to protect your privacy: if a non-UAlberta account is used, there is no way for the instructor to verify the identity of the sender.

•    Other legal stuff: Policy about course outlines can be found in §23.4(2) of the University Calendar. Any typographical errors in this Course Outline are subject to change and will be announced in class. The date of the final examination is set by the Registrar and takes precedence over the final examination date reported in this course outline.