Dr. Dietrich W.

Kuhlmann
kuhlmann@buffalo.edu
Syllabus STA 302
Probability and Statistics
Spring 2015
Course Text: Mathematical Statistics with Applications 7th Edition Wackerly ,Mendenhall and Scheaffer
Brooks Cole
Topic Learning Goals
Review of the normal distribution and applications of the normal distribution

Moment Generating Functions: Definition, determining the MGF for some distributions, theorems
involving the sum of independent random variables, using the MGF to determine the mean and
standard deviation of a random variable, using the MGF technique to determine the distribution of
a sum of random variables

Chapter 7: Distributions arising from sampling from a normal distribution (z, t, Chi-square and F),
the Central Limit Theorem, normal approximation to the binomial

Chapter 8: Estimation and properties of estimators including: mean square error, biased and
unbiased, confidence intervals and sample size determination

Chapter 9: Properties of Point estimators efficiency, consistent, Rao-Blackwell Theorem, the

Cramer-Rao Lower Bound and UMVUE, sufficient, MME and MLE

Chapter 10: Hypothesis Testing Concepts and basics of testing, (Type I ad Type II), the p-value,
some theory of testing, tests for means and variances, the power of a test, Neyman-Pearson
Lemma, likelihood ratio test and UMP

Chapter 11: Linear models and least square, the basics of linear regression

Chapter 13: Introduction to one-way ANOVA and sum of squares

Chapter 13: Analysis of Categorical Data Chi-square test for goodness of fit and independence

Course Learning Objectives: The main goals of the course are to apply our knowledge of probability
theory to the theory of data analysis (statistics). We will learn a variety of theorems and their applications
that will allow us to understand the concepts of statistical theory. Ultimately, we want to be able to
confidently analyze a data set and make conclusions.
Recitation: Your grade in recitation will be the same grade as the lecture grade, which is based on
points earned as described below. Recitation is a time where students can ask questions on assigned
homework. I will go over some homework problems during the lecture, but for bulk of homework
solutions will be given in recitation or posted on UBlearns.
Grading: There will be two exams during the semester and a comprehensive final exam given during exam
week: Thursday May 14, 2014, 7:15 10:15 PM in Talbert 107. Everybody must take the final exam,
so dont make vacation plans during exam week or make plans to go home early.
Test 1: Tuesday Mar 10, 2015 or Thursday March 12, 2015
Test 2: Tuesday Apr 28, 2015 or Thursday March 30, 2015

If you miss a test, the make-up will be given the following Class day at 6:30 AM in NSC 225. There is
no make-up after that. You could lose up to 3 points for taking the test late. The test will be slightly
more difficult than the original test. If you take both tests late, 10 points WILL be deducted from the
second test.
Quizzes will usually be announced the class before the quiz or possibly two classes before. An e-mail
reminder is often sent. Clearly you will need to check for e-mails often. Missed quizzes cannot be made
up. Since one quiz is dropped, missing a single quiz will not hurt your grade. The quizzes should take less
than 5to 10 minutes.
Homework: Homework problems will be assigned but usually not be collected nor graded. Rather,
homework problems will be incorporated into the exams and some quizzes. Several homework
assignments/problems will be done on Top Hat. Many homework solutions will be presented by the
teaching assistant in recitation. More homework will be collected and count towards your grade if I feel
that students are slacking off and not doing their homework. There will be 40 homework points available
throughout the semester. Your homework grade will be based on 30 points. If you get 25 out of 40 your
grade will be 25out of 30. If your homework grade is 32 out of 40 your grade will be 30 out of 30. Extra
credit problems will offered and usually on Top Hat.
Your grade will be determined by points earned on the items below.
Quizzes: 2-3 quizzes @ 10 points each
2 In Class Exams: 100 point each
Homework
Final Exam: 100 points (Below 40% on final = F in course)

(20 total points)

(200 total points)
(30 total points)
(150 points)

Attendance: Attendance is expected each lecture. If you miss one lecture there, is no charge. The second
one is a loss of 2 points. Each lecture after that: 3 points. Missing lecture is usually only detectable on
quiz and test days, HW collection days, or test (quiz) return days. Each day that you have not collected
your exam you are marked absent. There is class the Tuesday and Thursday before
spring break! If you miss class, it is YOUR responsibility to determine what you missed and any
announcements that were made. Be sure you have the phone number or e-mail address of somebody in the
class.
Grading Scale (%): Ties (without rounding) get the higher grade. (This is based on the 400 points
outlined above.)
94 100
91 94
88 91
84 88
81 84
78 81

A
AB+
B
BC+

71 78
68 71
60 68
55 60
Below 55

C
CD+
D
F

My Office Hours: TR 7:10 7:55 AM NSC 225 and WF 2:00 3:00 Kimball Tower 809. I will also do a
recitation/office hour session on Tuesday and Thursday after class ends in the same room.
Identification: During the second week of class you will be given a class number. This number can also
be found on UBlearns under Course Information. This class number is how you will be identified for
grading and e-mail correspondence. You must put this number on all assignments, quizzes, tests and emails. Your class number will be written as follows: The letter S, then a dash and then a two digit number.
Any e-mail sent without your class number in the subject line will be deleted before I even read it.

Academic Dishonesty: Students caught cheating on exams will be penalized based upon the severity of
the infraction, as determined by me. You may lose a letter grade on the exam or in the course. If the
infraction is severe enough, you will get an F in the course and the dean will be notified.
Disability Support Services: Students that require special testing conditions are to go through the proper
channels to get access to the services. Whatever accommodations are needed should not present any
problems. Please e-mail me before each exam as a reminder to me to bring your exam to the office.
E-mail Rules: E-mails must come from a buffalo.edu address. E-mails must contain your class number in
the subject line. E-mails must include your name. Any e-mail without this will not get a response. Dont
send me an e-mail that you will miss or did miss class. Do not send e-mails asking what you missed on a
day that you did not attend class. You are expected to e-mail another student for this information.
I will work hard to ensure you a good chance at a good grade in this class. I hope you will work hard also.
Texting: Texting is not allowed in class. Texting: Minus 2 points. Thinking of texting: Minus 1 point.
Policy on Incomplete Grades for the Course: Incomplete grades will be given only if there are
extenuating circumstances (i.e. severe illness) that preclude the student from completing the course. The
student must have satisfactorily completed all course work and successfully passed all exams (C or better)
up until the time an incomplete is requested.
University Policy on Incomplete Grades: A grade of incomplete (I) indicate that additional coursework is
required to fill the requirements of a given course. Students may only be given an I grade if they have a
passing average in coursework that has been completed and have well-defined parameters to complete the
course requirements that could result in a grade better than the default grade. An I grade may not be
assigned to a student who did not attend the course. Prior to the end of the semester, students must initiate
the request for an I grade and receive the instructor's approval. Assignment of an I grade is at the discretion
of the instructor.
The instructor must specify a default letter at the time the I grade is submitted. A default grade is the letter
grade the student will receive if no additional coursework is completed and/or a grade change form is not
filed by the instructor. I grades must be completed within 12 months. Individual instructors may set shorter
time limits for removing an incomplete than the 12-month time limit. Upon assigning an I grade, the
instructor shall provide the student specification, in writing or by electronic mail, of the requirements to
be fulfilled, and shall file a copy with the appropriate departmental office.
Students must not re-register for courses for which they have received an I grade. Applicable dates
regarding the 12-month provision are given below.
Course taken in (semester): Will default in 12 months on:
Fall December 31 Spring May 31 Summer August 31
The I grade must be changed to a grade before the degree conferral date if the student plans to graduate in
that semester. At any time prior to the default date, students may elect to change the I grade to the default
grade using the Grade Retrieval Form.
A default grade can be A-, B+, B-, C+, C-, D+, D, or F. (If a student selected an S/U grading option,
it will replace the default letter grade when the grade defaults.)
Honesty and Integrity: EVERY profession in the Health Sciences has honesty and integrity at its very
core. As such, the instructors in this course have a zero-tolerance policy toward cheating. Anyone caught
cheating on exams will earn an F grade in this course, which will likely result in dismissal from the
program.
Accessibility Resources: If you have any disability which requires reasonable accommodations to enable
you to participate in this course, please contact the Office of Accessibility Resources, 25 Capen Hall, 6452608, and also contact the instructor of this course during the first week of class. Accessibility Resources
will provide you with information and review appropriate arrangements for reasonable accommodations.