The Stuyvesant High School Online Course Guide

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Who should take this course?
Students who plan to continue in any of the following disciplines (in addition to statistics, mathematics, and computer science): biology, chemistry, physics, economics, political science, psychology, sociology, engineering, nursing, et al. In general, any student planning on doing research in any field should take this course.

What will we be studying?
Statistics is the science of data and the language of science. Statistical thinking encompasses: the appreciation of uncertainty and data variability and their impact on decision-making, and the use of the scientific method in approaching issues and problems. Four primary units will be studied: Exploring data; Collecting data; Producing models; and Statistical inference. In the second term, certain students will be offered the opportunity to join MS2XE, AP Statistics with Emphasis on Epidemiological Methods and Research. Students will first learn basic concepts and methods in epidemiology and then learn advanced statistical techniques useful for epidemiological research. The goal is to produce original research in the field of epidemiology.

What will be expected of me?
Besides class participation and written homework assignments, reading is a part of each homework assignment. Reading will complement each regular lesson as well as supplement lessons occasionally. (Also see next question)

How is the course taught?
The course will be taught both formally and informally, but primarily the former. Students are expected to keep pace with the assignments. The teacher plans to spend alternate days teaching new topics and the other days reviewing the written homework assignments and occasional projects.

How is this course different from the typical math course?
Whereas mathematics is deductive in nature, statistics is inductive. In mathematics, conclusions are proven (they're certain) whereas in statistics, conclusions are inferred (they're likely). In a nutshell, mathematics is primarily deterministic and statistics is probabilistic.

Are there any special demands, costs, etc?
The TI-82 calculator will be used often as a tool. (The term 'hand calculation' is synonymous with 'by calculator'.) Statistical software should be used too, with menu-driven programs used as needed.

Details and pre/co-requisites:
Mathematical maturity of at least MB33. (An interest in current events, such as public opinion and trends in the sciences and sports would be helpful.) Students must have a minimum Mathematics Average of 85% as well as a minimum overall average of 85% to qualify.