STATISTICS MTH142.

03 SPRING 2025
HOLYOKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

INSTRUCTOR:

Eric Carreira ecarreira@hcc.edu 413.552.2172 FROST 372

CLASS TIME/LOCATION

Tuesday & Thursday, 12:30-1:45pm in KC420

OFFICE HOURS

• Monday 12:00-1:00pm FROST 372 OR ZOOM!

• Wednesday 12:30-1:30pm FROST 372 OR ZOOM!
• Tuesday & Thursday 3-4pm ZOOM ONLY! (or in-person by appointment)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Graphical description of data, measures of central tendency and variability, probability and probability
distributions, central limit theorem, estimation of parameters, testing hypotheses, regression and correlation,
analysis of variance, and other topics in statistical inference. Prerequisite: MTH 011 and 012 (or MTH 085
or MTH 099) with a grade of C- or better; or SM08, or adequate score on the Math Placement Examination.

COURSE MATERIALS

Great news! We will be using free, open source educational resources (OER). This means there are no
additional expenses for this course. Our primary textbook, available for download as a free ebook, is:
OpenIntro Statistics, 4th edition; Diez, D., Barr, C., Çetinkaya-Rundelm M.
Purchasing a book is not required. However, if you’d like to have a printed textbook, this book is available
on Amazon for about $25.
We will use a free statistical computing environment called RStudio. With RStudio, we learn a computer
programming language called R that is widely used by statisticians, engineers & scientists for doing profes-
sional data analysis. No background in coding is required. All the necessary code templates will be provided,
and you will learn how to apply the codes to analyze data and obtain desired results.
INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS

In the words of the great 20th century mathematician Paul Halmos: “The only way to learn mathematics
is to do mathematics.” I ask that we all develop a mindset of Active Learning. The more actively engaged
you are, the deeper and more fruitful your learning experience will be. There will be some amount of
lecture/presentations; however, a strong emphasize is placed on Active Learning: class discussion, analyzing
data together as a class, in small groups or independently. Lectures will never be passive because we will
be learning new ideas and concepts, then immediately applying them in RStudio. We will work together to
create a spirit of collaboration and commununity!

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Learn fundamental principles of statistical data analysis and how to “Think With Data”.
• Develop Statistical Literacy to become better educated citizens: how to critically assess information
of a statistical nature, which we are frequently confronted with in our increasingly data-centric world.
• Learn to communicate in the language of statistics using the vocabulary, concepts, and mathematical
symbols & notations of this subject.
• Understand the important role of variability, randomness and uncertainty in data.
• Apply methods of Descriptive Statistics to compute summary statistics and create data visualizations
that summarize, describe and reveal hidden features and trends in data.
• Learn basics of Probability and Probability Distributions and their relationship to Statistics.
• Use Inferential Statistics to make decisions from data and answer questions about our world.
• Learn to use statistical computing software and understand how this technology is used to analyze
data, interpret results & make decisions from data.
• Engage in active learning and collaboration.

EVALUATING STUDENT PERFORMANCE

Student performance is evaluated through homework assignments, projects, notebook files, atten-
dance/participation/engagement.

GRADE COMPONENTS

• 35% ~ HOMEWORK
• 30% ~ NOTEBOOK FILES
• 25% ~ PROJECTS
• 10% ~ PARTICIPATION/ATTENDANCE

ATTENDANCE / PARTICIPATION

Good attendance is essential to being a successful student, so please make every effort to attend your classes.
Excessive absences may result in administrative withdrawal from the course. If you’re having any difficulties
whatsoever (keeping up with the work, health, changes in your personal schedule, etc.) please contact me
as soon as possible! Active participation is also essential. Our class takes place in a computer lab. Please
handle this maturely and avoid using the computers for things unrelated to our class. Resist distractions,
otherwise your participation grade may be reduced.
ACCESSIBILITY ACCOMMODATIONS

HCC is committed to full inclusion of all students, equal access to its programs and activities, and fostering
an environment of mutual respect and full participation. Our goal is to create learning environments that
are equitable, inclusive and welcoming. Students with a documented disability should contact the Office for
Students with Disabilities and Deaf Services at 413-552-2417 or 413-650-5502 (Video Phone for Deaf/Hard-
of-hearing students) to request an intake appointment and discuss accommodations. Collaboration between
students, OSDDS, and instructors is essential for timely accommodations, so students are urged to provide
their accommodation agreement to instructors in the first week of the term or immediately after receiving
the approved accommodation from OSDDS.

HCC STEM COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND INCLUSION

The HCC STEM faculty stands in solidarity with all HCC students. Our goal is to remove barriers and
create an equitable learning environment for all. We strive to further HCC’s mission - Educate, Inspire,
Connect and to foster HCC’s core values - Innovation, Collaboration, Kindness, Inclusion, Trust.

SELF-CARE AND MENTAL HEALTH

It is important that we devote time every day to supporting our physical and mental health. If you find your-
self struggling with your mental health, please remember that we are here to help. We have on-campus mental
health support services available in FROST 232, Monday – Friday 9-4pm, drop-in or call 413.552.2626 ext.
2626. After hours, please call 413.733.6661. You can also send an email to hccreferral@chd.org. For more
info, please visit: https://www.hcc.edu/student-life/caring-for-yourself/mental-health-support

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

From the HCC Student Handbook: “Holyoke Community College is committed to academic integrity—the
honest, authentic and independent pursuit of knowledge. As members of the academic community, students
are expected to be responsible for all of their own academic work without dishonesty or deception.” What
this means for our course: Collaboration on homework is encouraged, but the answers you submit online
should be your own and should be an honest representation of your understanding. RStudio code copied
from the internet or from AI is not permitted. Any cases of academic dishonesty will be reported.

INCOMPLETE GRADE POLICY

A grade of Incomplete (I) is given only in very rare cases, when a student experiences extreme circumstances
beyond their control, such as receiving military orders or a serious medical emergency. In either case,
documentation is required. Two additional requirements: 1.) The student must be in good standing, making
satisfactory progress with all their academic work in this course. 2.) There is only a minimal amount of
work that needs to be completed (No more than one or two assignments.)
COURSE TOPICS

1. Introduction to Data
2. Summarizing Data with Descriptive Statistics
3. Regression & Correlation
4. Probability
5. Normal Probability Distribution
6. Statistical Inference 1: Population Proportions - Estimation and Testing Procedures
7. Statistical Inference 2: Population Means - Estimation and Testing Procedures

Time permitting, we may also cover one or more additional topics:

8. Statistical Inference 3: Tests for Categorical Data

9. Statistical Inference 4: ANOVA (Analysis of Variance)

TENTATIVE ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE (Dates Subject to Change based on our Pacing)

• Chapter 1 MyOpenMath Assignment due 2/7

• Chapter 2 Notebook File due 2/14
• Chapter 2 MyOpenMath Assignment due 2/21
• Chapter 2 Project due 2/28
• Chapter 3 Notebook File due 3/7
• Chapter 3 Project due 3/14
• Chapter 4 MyOpenMath Assignment due 3/28
• Chapter 5 Notebook File due 4/4
• Chapter 5 MyOpenMath Assignment due 4/11
• Chapter 6 Notebook File due 4/18
• Chapter 6 MyOpenMath Assignment due 4/25
• Chapter 7 Notebook File due 5/2
• Chapter 7 MyOpenMath Assignment due 5/9
• Chapters 6–7 Project due 5/9
• Last Date for any additional assignments or late submissions 5/15

HCC CALENDAR

• Add/Drop period ends Friday 1/24 at 4:30 pm.

• No classes Monday 2/17 (Presidents’ Day.)
• On Tuesday 2/18, all classes will follow a Monday schedule!
• Midsemester Grades visible after Friday 3/7.
• SPRING BREAK! No classes March 17 – 21.
• No classes Wednesday 4/2.
• Registration for Summer/Fall classes begins 4/7.
• No classes Monday 4/21 (Patriots’ Day.)
• On Thursday 4/24, all classes will follow a Monday schedule!
• Last day of classes is Thursday 5/8.
• Last day to withdraw from a class with a grade of “W” is 5/8.
• Make-Up Day for Weather Cancellations is Friday 5/9.
• Final exam period is 5/12 – 5/15.