MATH 1280: INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS
Prerequisites: None
Course Description: This course presents students with basic concepts in statistics and
probability, and encourages statistical thinking. This course is intended to bring students to
a level where they can carry out simple statistical analysis of simple data. Topics covered
include descriptive statistics, probability, discrete and continuous random variables, the
sampling distribution, and the Central Limit Theorem. The emphasis in the course is on the
presentation of statistical methods and on the interpretation of the outcome. The philosophy
of statistics, and not its mathematics, is at the center of this course; needed mathematical
concepts are demonstrated via simulations rather than by abstract proofs.
Required Textbook and Materials:
Illowsky, B., Dean, S., Birmajer, D., Blount, B., Boyd, S., Einsohn, M., Helmreich, J.,
Kenyon, L., Lee, S., & Taub, J. (2022). Introductory statistics. openstax. Please
access it from the homepage.
Learning Objectives and Outcomes:
By the end of this course students will be able to:
1. Examine concepts of probability that are associated with statistics.
2. Present and summarize probability and statistical data in mathematics
3. Recognize and interpret different forms of variability.
4. Use a computing program (spreadsheet or scientific calculator such as TI-83+ and
TI-84 calculators) and carry out computations and produce plots associated with
data and probability.
5. Course Schedule and Topics: This course will cover the following topics in eight
learning sessions, with one Unit per week. The Final Exam will take place during
Week/Unit 9 (UoPeople time).
6. Week 1: Unit 1 - Sampling and Data
Week 2: Unit 2 - Descriptive Statistics
Week 3: Unit 3 - Probability
7. Week 4: Unit 4 - Discrete Random Variables
Week 5: Unit 5 - Geometric, Hypergeometric and Poisson Distrubution
Week 6: Unit 6 - Continuous Random Variables
Week 7: Unit 7 - The Normal Distribution
Week 8: Unit 8 - The Central Limit Theorem
Week 9: Unit 9 - Final Exam
Learning Guide: The following is an outline of how this course will be conducted, with
suggested best practices for students.
Unit 1: Sampling and Data
Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post and comment in the Discussion
Forum)
Complete and submit the Learning Journal Assignment
Take the Self-Quiz
Unit 2: Descriptive Statistics
Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post and comment in the Discussion
Forum)
Complete and submit the Written Assignment
Complete and submit the Learning Journal Assignment
Take the Self-Quiz
Unit 3: Probability
Peer assess Unit 2 Written Assignment
Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post and comment in the Discussion
Forum)
Complete and submit the Learning Journal Assignment
Take the Self-Quiz
Take the Graded Quiz
Unit 4: Discrete Random Variables
Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post and comment in the Discussion
Forum)
Complete and submit the Written Assignment
Complete and submit the Learning Journal Assignment
Take the Self-Quiz
Unit 5: Geometric, Hypergeometric and Poisson Distribution
Peer assess Unit 4 Written Assignment
Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post and comment in the Discussion
Forum)
Complete and submit the Learning Journal Assignment
Take the Self-Quiz
Unit 6: Continuous Random Variables
Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post and comment in the Discussion
Forum)
Complete and submit the Learning Journal Assignment
Take the Self-Quiz
Take the Graded Quiz
Unit 7: The Normal Distribution
Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post and comment in the Discussion
Forum)
Complete and submit the Learning Journal Assignment
Take the Self-Quiz
Unit 8: The Central Limit Theorem
Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post and comment in the Discussion
Forum)
Complete and submit the Learning Journal Assignment
Take the Self-Quiz
Read the Unit 9 Learning Guide carefully for instructions on the Final Exam
Take the Review Quiz
Unit 9: Review and Final Examination
Read the Learning Guide and take the Review Quiz, if you haven't already done so
Prepare for, take, and submit the Final Exam
The Final Exam will take place during the Thursday and Sunday of Week/Unit 9
(UoPeople time); exact dates, times, and other details will be provided accordingly
by your instructor
The following items are allowed during the Final Exam:
Calculator use: Students are only allowed to use a basic or scientific calculator for
the final exam. Calculators on the cell phone, iPad or similar devices are not allowed.
Pen and Paper: Students may use pen and paper for this exam.
Using Libre calculator: Read the instructions in the document.
Textbook
Click MATH 1280 Textbook_Introduction to Statistics.pdf link to view the file.
How to include math equations in the
Discussion Forum
Click Handout. Equation editor.pdf link to view the file.
Using Libre Office for Calculations
MATH 1280 Libre Office Guide.pdf
Math 1280_calculator.ods
