Sociology-Anthropology 10A: Probability & Statistics

Fall 2014 Syllabus

Course description: This is the first of a challenging three-quarter sequence in basic statistical methods
for social science students. Topics include, but are not limited to, basic univariate statistics, elementary
probability and probability distributions, and sampling distributions and confidence interval estimation.
In 10A we cover approximately the first 5 chapters of the textbook.
Please note that this is a serious course that, for most students, requires consistent hard work and
diligence. Students that do well attend class regularly, take thorough notes, complete course readings
on time, ask questions and come to office hours, and work very hard to prepare for exams. If youre
unwilling to consistently work hard, and take a casual attitude toward the course, odds are high that you
will not pass the course. Doing well in this course is critically important for success in the two courses
that follow in the sequence.
Instructor

Professor Matt Huffman

Department of Sociology & The Paul Merage School of Business
Office: SSPB 4275
Office hours: See below
mhuffman@uci.edu

TAs

Mariam Ashtiani (mashtian@uci.edu)

Office hours: Tuesday 4:00-5:00pm and by appointment in SST 935
Discussion sections: Tues 2:00pm, Tues 3:00pm, Thurs 2:00pm, Thurs 3:00pm
Mikaela Smith (mikaelhs@uci.edu)
Office hours: Tuesday 3:00-4:00pm and by appointment in SST 603
Discussion sections: Tues 4:00pm, Wed 9:00am, Wed 10:00am, Fri 10:00am

Course website: https://eee.uci.edu/14f/69080

Required text: There is one required textbook for 10A: Alan Agresti & Barbara Finlay, Statistical
Methods for the Social Sciences (4th Edition). Previous editions of the textbook are not acceptable. All
course readings come from the Agresti and Finlay textbook.
Other required materials: For this course you will also need:
(a) Three Scantron forms (form F-288, red in color), one for each exam. It is the students
responsibility to bring the correct form to the exams.

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(b) A basic, reliable calculator (statistical/graphing functions are not required). You must bring
your stand-alone calculator to every class and section phones and other devices cannot be
viewed during an exam or quiz.
Office hours: Professor Huffman will hold office hours by appointment only on Wednesdays from 10:0011:00am. Simply email me before 7:00pm on the day before to inform me that you plan to come to
office hours the next day, and what time you plan to arrive. If I do not hear from anyone before then, I
will not be in my office the following day. There are three weeks that will be exceptions to this
appointment structure:

Monday, October 27 (the day before the first exam), 10:00-11:30am

Wednesday, November 19 (the day before the second exam), 12:00-1:30pm

Wednesday, December 17 (two days before the final exam), 10:00-11:30am

On these three days no appointment is necessary. I will be in my office during the listed times. Also note
that I am happy to make appointments with students on other days/times. Simply email me and we can
work out a mutually convenient time. Students usually find it easy to set up appointments with me. I
note that you should also be taking advantage of your TAs office hours. We are all here to help, but you
must make take responsibility for contacting us to get help.
Course requirements & grading: There will be two in-class exams (each worth 22.5% of your grade) and
a cumulative final examination (worth 35% of your grade). Information about the exam structure and
format will be provided well before the exam dates. You will be allowed one note sheet (available on the
course website) on exam I and II. Two note sheets are allowed for the final exam. Students must print
their own note sheets from the course website. Only those note sheets will be permitted for use on
exams. A copy of Table A from the textbook will be provided to you on exams where it is needed.
Otherwise, exams are completely closed-book and closed-note. Violation of any of the rules outlined on
the note sheets will result in a zero for that exam and be considered Academic Dishonesty. Make-up
exams will not be given please check your personal and travel schedules and verify that you can attend
all exams. If you cannot, please drop the course. The final exam is scheduled by the University (not by
the instructor) for Friday, December 19, from 10:30am-12:30pm. Of the remaining 20% of your grade,
half is based on lecture quizzes and half on section quizzes.

Lecture quizzes: Unannounced quizzes will be given in lecture throughout the quarter. An
unexcused absence will result in a score of zero for that lecture quiz. To have an absence
excused, and a makeup quiz given, you must provide written documentation (which includes
relevant contact information) to be provided to me within 3 business days of the absence.
Otherwise, the absence is unexcused. Some quizzes may be based solely on attendance. To
demonstrate your attendance, you must be present in class at the time the quiz is given. If you
are not in class at the time a quiz is given, you are considered absent. Each student's lowest

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lecture quiz score for the quarter will be dropped, so, in effect, every student gets one free
absence.

Section quizzes: Short quizzes will be given most weeks by your TA in your discussion section.
They are meant to prevent you from falling behind, to encourage you to attend your discussion
section, and to provide you with an additional opportunity to become proficient with the course
materials. Take advantage of your sections by attending them regularly and asking questions.
The section attendance policy is exactly the same as for lecture. Each student's lowest section
quiz score for the quarter will be dropped, and absences are excused and make-up quizzes given
only when written documentation is provided (per the lecture quiz policy).

Homework: Homework will be assigned, but will not be collected or graded. It is your
responsibility to complete the homework and check your work against the posted solution sets.
Homework is not busy work in this class rather, homework gives you an opportunity to gain
proficiency and practice by working through problems. Completing and understanding the
homework problems is worth your time and will serve you well on the exams.

Grading policy: The course is graded on a curve. Approximate letter grade scales are given for the
exams, but they are only a rough guide grades are determined by one's position in the final, weighted
course distribution.
Students with documented disabilities: Please see me at the beginning of the quarter to discuss your
needs. You should also contact the Disability Services Center for assistance as soon as possible.
(http://www.disability.uci.edu).
The 60% Rule: Competence with the course material is demonstrated primarily through the three
examinations. Scoring below 60% on all three exams means you have failed to demonstrate a basic level
of competence with the course material. In that case, you will receive a failing grade (F) regardless of
your performance on the other parts of the course. Please note that if you score at or above 60% on one
or more exams, you may still fail the course, depending on where you fall in the final course
distribution.
Calculators: You do not need a special calculator for this class. A basic scientific calculator will do. On
exams and quizzes, you must use a stand-alone calculator, not one that runs on an iPhone, iPod, iPad,
tablet, Kindle, Nook, Blackberry, or any other type of electronic device. Use of any electronic device
other than a calculator during an exam or quiz will be considered academic dishonesty. These devices
must be stowed away, out of sight, on all exams and quizzes.

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Classroom decorum: I encourage questions and classroom discussion, but fully expect courteous,
respectful and professional conduct at all times. Cell phones should be turned off (if absolutely
necessary, set to vibrate), and you should strive to minimize class disruptions. Laptop use is permitted,
but viewing social networking sites, or web browsing, can be distracting to those around you. If this
causes problems, I'll ask you to leave class. If this becomes a problem, I reserve the right to forbid the
use of electronic devices during class.
Academic honesty: Please carefully read the materials found at http://honesty.uci.edu.
I have a zero-tolerance stance toward academic dishonesty and will never look the other way. You are
responsible for knowing, and abiding by, the relevant University policies. Forms of academic dishonesty
include, but are not limited to, sharing information on an exam or quiz, bringing notes to an exam or
quiz beyond what is allowed, looking at another students exam, using a cell phone during an exam or
quiz, and misrepresenting your (or another student's) attendance at lecture or discussion section. Note
that helping another student to cheat (collusion) is also a serious form of academic dishonesty.
Ignorance or misunderstanding about what constitutes academic dishonesty is not a valid defense.
Course Topics & Readings
(readings come from course textbook unless specified below)
Week 0
Thursday, October 2
o Course introduction (carefully read the course syllabus, FAQ, and UCIs
Academic Dishonesty policies)
o Introduction to statistical methods (chapters 1 & 2)
Week 1 (discussion sections begin)
Tuesday, October 7
o Sampling, measurement and basic terminology (chapter 2)
Thursday, October 9
o Descriptive statistics (chapter 3)
Week 2 (quizzes in discussion section begin)
Tuesday, October 14
o Descriptive statistics (chapter 3)
Thursday, October 16
o Descriptive statistics (chapter 3)

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Week 3
Tuesday, October 21
o Descriptive statistics (chapter 3)
Thursday, October 23
o Descriptive statistics (chapter 3)
Week 4
Monday, October 27
o Huffmans office hours (10:00-11:30am, no appointment necessary)
Tuesday, October 28: Examination I
Thursday, October 30
o Probability and Probability Distributions (chapter 4)
Week 5
Tuesday, November 4
o Probability and Probability Distributions (chapter 4)
Thursday, November 6
o Probability and Probability Distributions (chapter 4)
Week 6
Tuesday, November 11: No class, Veterans Day
Thursday, November 13
o Probability and Probability Distributions (chapter 4)
Week 7
Tuesday, November 18
o Probability and Probability Distributions (chapter 4)
Wednesday, November 19
o Huffmans office hours (12:00-1:30pm, no appointment necessary)
Thursday, November 20: Examination II
Week 8
Tuesday, November 25
o Exam I and II review and final exam preview
Thursday, November 27: No class, Thanksgiving Holiday
Week 9
Tuesday, December 2
o Basic Statistical Inference (Chapter 5)
Thursday, December 4

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o Basic Statistical Inference (Chapter 5)

Week 10
Tuesday, December 9
o Basic Statistical Inference (Chapter 5)
Thursday, December 11
o Basic Statistical Inference (Chapter 5)
Final exam week (December 13-19)
Wednesday, December 17
o Huffmans office hours (10:00-11:30am, no appointment necessary)
Friday, December 19 (I dont make the final exam schedule)
o Final examination, 10:30am-12:30pm (do not be late!)