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Academic Year 2003/2004

Statistics: An Activity-Based Approach
PSYC 200 SP

This course will introduce the concepts and methods used in the analysis of quantitative data in the behavioral and life sciences. The approach will emphasize activity-based learning. Lectures will be used for the initial presentation and wrap-up of topics, but most class time will be devoted to activities in which students perform, present and discuss analyses. The topics covered will include descriptive statistics, sampling distributions, estimation, hypothesis testing, analysis of variance, and regression.

The goal of the three sections of the course is the mastery of these concepts; all sections use the same textbook and use the Minitab statistical analysis program. However, the three sections will approach the concepts at different rates and explore them to different levels. Students should select the section that is compatible with their backgrounds and interests.

All sections of this course will satisfy the statistics requirement for the Psychology major and the methodological requirement for the Neuroscience & Behavior major.

COURSE FORMAT: Laboratory

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: NSM PSYC    Grading Mode: Student Option   

Prerequisites: NONE

SECTION 01

Students with conventional backgrounds in mathematics who want to prepare to use statistical methods in further study in the behavioral and life sciences should select this section. Students who have taken statistics in high school or who have taken college level Calculus should not select this section. The pace will be typical of introductory statistics courses, and the goal will be to obtain a conceptual and working knowledge of basic statistical methods.

Sections 02 and 03 which are offered in the Fall have different approaches. They may be of interest to students with other backgrounds and interests.

Major Readings

Moore & McCabe. INTRODUCTION TO THE PRACTICE OF STATISTICS. Freeman.

Examinations and Assignments

Short weekly assignments, two in-class tests, and comprehensive final.

Additional Requirements and/or Comments

Students who are considering Psychology or Neuroscience & Behavior majors must take this course graded.

Instructor(s): Sinnamon,Harry M.   

Times: ..T.R.. 10:30AM-11:50AM;     Location: SCIE74

Reserved Seats:    (Total Limit: 20)

SR. major: 0   Jr. major: 0

SR. non-major: 5   Jr. non-major: 5   SO: 5   FR: 5

Special Attributes:

Curricular Renewal:    Quantitative Reasoning, Focused Inquiry Course

Last Updated on MAR-19-2004

Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459