STATISTICS 427 Regular
Lecture
- Structure of the course:
- 2 exams.
- 1 final exam.
- About 6/7 homework assignments.
- One 8.5x11 inches sheet of notes for each exam.
- Three 8.5x11 inches sheets of notes for final exam.
- Practice exams for the 2 exams, but none for the final exam.
- Topics covered:
- Probability Theory.
- Random variables: discrete and continuous, moments, combinations.
- Discrete probability distributions: Binomial, Geometric/Negative Binomial, Hypergeometric, Poisson.
- Continuous probability distributions: Uniform, Exponential, Gamma.
- Normal distribution: Probabilities, Combinations, CLT.
If time is a factor, the portion that is most likely to suffer is that of the discrete probability distributions. Specifically, the Geometric, Negative Binomial, and Hypergeometric distributions are the first to get cut from the topic list.
- Challenging concepts:
- Determining what distribution to use in what situation. Doing lots of examples is definitely helpful.
- Central Limit Theorem- Try explaining this to them in simple and straightforward terms. Stress to them that this may be the most important concept they learn that quarter. Also, they need to know it for Statistics 428.
- Some students struggle with derivatives and integrals. It might be a good idea to hand out or offer a calculus review at the beginning of the quarter.
- Things that are taught differently from other courses:
- In Hayter’s text, the form for the Exponential/Gamma is different from that given in Casella and Berger. The instructor should make sure that he/she follows the form in the text used in the class.
- Text used:
- Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists (2nd edition) by Hayter.
- Notes:
- Depends on instructor. Some prefer presenting notes the “old fashioned way”- on the chalkboard. Some use the transparencies, while some others use PowerPoint slides.
- Statistical software:
- None.
- Course management website:
- Usually Carmen.
- Grade dependent on attendance:
- Up to the instructor.
- Helpful tips for new TAs:
- Get in touch with TAs who have lectured this course.
- Get notes, examples, activities, exams, and other course materials from someone who’s taught the course before. They may serve as a good starting point.
- Read through the notes a couple of days before you teach the material. This gives you enough time to contact the course coordinator, and have your doubts cleared.
- Try to apply the material to their disciplines as much as possible.
- If you’re used to the Statistics 133, 135, 145 introductory courses, remember this is a very different group of students.
- 2 exams.
- 1 final exam.
- About 6/7 homework assignments.
- One 8.5x11 inches sheet of notes for each exam.
- Three 8.5x11 inches sheets of notes for final exam.
- Practice exams for the 2 exams, but none for the final exam.
- Probability Theory.
- Random variables: discrete and continuous, moments, combinations.
- Discrete probability distributions: Binomial, Geometric/Negative Binomial, Hypergeometric, Poisson.
- Continuous probability distributions: Uniform, Exponential, Gamma.
- Normal distribution: Probabilities, Combinations, CLT.
- Determining what distribution to use in what situation. Doing lots of examples is definitely helpful.
- Central Limit Theorem- Try explaining this to them in simple and straightforward terms. Stress to them that this may be the most important concept they learn that quarter. Also, they need to know it for Statistics 428.
- Some students struggle with derivatives and integrals. It might be a good idea to hand out or offer a calculus review at the beginning of the quarter.
- In Hayter’s text, the form for the Exponential/Gamma is different from that given in Casella and Berger. The instructor should make sure that he/she follows the form in the text used in the class.
- Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists (2nd edition) by Hayter.
- Depends on instructor. Some prefer presenting notes the “old fashioned way”- on the chalkboard. Some use the transparencies, while some others use PowerPoint slides.
- None.
- Usually Carmen.
- Up to the instructor.
- Get in touch with TAs who have lectured this course.
- Get notes, examples, activities, exams, and other course materials from someone who’s taught the course before. They may serve as a good starting point.
- Read through the notes a couple of days before you teach the material. This gives you enough time to contact the course coordinator, and have your doubts cleared.
- Try to apply the material to their disciplines as much as possible.
- If you’re used to the Statistics 133, 135, 145 introductory courses, remember this is a very different group of students.