Economics 329: ECONOMIC STATISTICS Fall 2016, Unique Number 34060 T, Th 3:30 – 5:00 (WCH 1.120) Instructor: Dr

University of Texas at Austin

Course Outline Economics 329: ECONOMIC STATISTICS Fall 2016, Unique number 34060 T, Th 3:30 – 5:00 (WCH 1.120) Instructor: Dr. Valerie R. Bencivenga Office: BRB 3.102C Office hours (Fall 2016): T, Th 11:00 – 12:30 Phone: 512-475-8509 Email: [email protected] (course email) or [email protected] The best ways to contact me are by email and in person after class or in office hours. If I don’t answer my phone, do not leave a phone message – please send an email. Use the course email for most emails, including exam scheduling. COURSE OBJECTIVES Economic Statistics is a first course in quantitative methods that are widely-used in economics and business. The main objectives of this course are to  explore methods for describing data  teach students how to build and analyze probability models of economic and business situations  introduce a variety of statistical methods used to draw conclusions from economic data, and to convey the conceptual and mathematical foundations of these methods  lay a foundation for econometrics COURSE DESCRIPTION SEGMENT 1. The unit on descriptive statistics covers methods for describing the distribution of data on one or more variables, including measures of central tendency and dispersion, correlation, frequency distributions, percentiles, and histograms. In economics and business, we usually specify a probability model for the random process that generated the data (data-generating process, or DGP). The unit on probability theory covers the set-theoretic foundations of probability and the axioms of probability; rules of probability derived from the axioms, including Bayes’ Rule; counting rules; and joint probability distributions. MIDTERM #1. SEGMENT 2. Random variables are probability models of random quantities and events. We study the binomial, hypergeometric, and Poisson distributions, which are discrete random variables (used, for example, in quality control and to forecast customer arrivals). We study the uniform and normal distributions, which are continuous random variables (providing models of the amount of time to complete a task, or wages, for example). Random variables allow us to compute probabilities of events (for example, the probability a portfolio loses money, or the probability a bid wins in an auction). The chi-square, Student t, and F distributions, which are related to the normal distribution, are introduced for use later in this course and in econometrics. Sampling theory builds probability models of the impact of randomness in the DGP on statistics we compute from data. We derive sampling distributions of various statistics in the context of different DGPs. The Central Limit Theorem sometimes allows us to derive sampling distributions even when we don’t know much about the DGP. MIDTERM #2. SEGMENT 3. Sampling distributions provide a basis for choosing an estimator of a population parameter, and they allow us to calculate confidence intervals from data (intervals that quantify uncertainty in our estimates of parameters of the DGP, such as the true mean rate of output of a production process, or the true variance of the rate of return on a portfolio). We also develop hypothesis tests for a set of DGPs. Statistical inference (estimation and hypothesis testing) about one parameter of a single population and about the relationship of parameters across two populations are considered. FINAL EXAM. PREREQUISITES Grades of at least C- in ECO 304K and L and in MATH 408C and D or MATH 408K and L (or the equivalent)

TEXTBOOK AND OTHER REQUIRED MATERIALS (1) The required textbook is INTRODUCTORY STATISTICS – A PROBLEM-SOLVING APPROACH, 2nd edition, by Stephen KOKOSKA (MacMillan), 2015. (2) The web-based homework lab for the textbook, called LaunchPad, also is required. LaunchPad comes with the complete e-book, so you can choose whether or not to acquire a printed copy of the textbook. (3) You’ll need an iClicker (any model). We’ll have for-credit clicker questions during most lectures. (4) You’ll need a calculator for in-class work, and for exams. Your calculator may not have wireless capability (no internet access), and it may not be capable of storing files. You have options for acquiring the textbook and access to LaunchPad. With the first option, use the access code included in the package to register for LaunchPad, and do not purchase access on the publisher’s web site. − Option 1. Loose-leaf textbook, packaged with an access code for LaunchPad + e-book (available at the UT Co-op Bookstore). (A hard copy of Kokoska, 2nd edition, also would be fine.) − Option 2. LaunchPad access + e-book. If you acquire the textbook by itself (not packaged with the access code), or decide not to buy a printed copy, you can purchase LaunchPad access on the publisher’s web site (http://www.macmillanhighered.com/launchpad/introstats2e/3856090). First see the LaunchPad “getting started” instructions on Canvas, and read the section on LaunchPad (below). EVALUATION Your course score will be based on two midterm exams (20% each), a final exam (35%), LaunchPad homework (10%), and participation points (15%). Your course score will be computed as a weighted average, using your percentage scores on these components. A course grade will be assigned based on your course score relative to the distribution of course scores in the class. Pluses and minuses will be used. This approach allows me to assign letter grades without an absolute scale, and to adjust the percentages of the class receiving different letter grades (within limits). The percentage of students receiving any particular letter grade is not predetermined. It is possible for all students to get a C or above, and for the large majority to receive an A or a B. However, lower grades will be assigned to students who do not demonstrate proficiency or mastery of the material. After the first midterm, I will announce tentative cutoffs (percentage scores) between A, A-, B+, etc. After the second midterm, I will update these tentative cutoffs, if necessary. Cutoffs will be posted in a Canvas announcement. EXAMS Bring a blue exam book to each exam, as well as a calculator (see “textbook” for restrictions on the type of calculator). Dates and times for the exams are as follows: Midterm #1 Thurs. Sep. 22, 7:00 to 9:00 pm Room assignments will be posted on Canvas Midterm #2 Thurs. Oct. 27, 7:00 to 9:00 pm Room assignments will be posted on Canvas Final exam Tues. Dec. 13, 2 – 5 pm Confirm date, time, and location on the registrar’s web site Let me know immediately if you have a conflict that prevents you from taking either of the midterms with the rest of the class. If you have a conflict with another class, or a conflict with a UT event or work that you cannot change, I will schedule your midterm at alternate time. Alternate exams are earlier in the day, or occasionally on the day before. Because of the size of the class, we give alternate exams only to students who legitimately need them. If you do not notify me of a possible conflict by Fri., Sep. 9 at noon, you will be required to take the midterm exams at the scheduled times unless an emergency arises. If you require an accommodation for a disability, please let me know about it as early in the semester as possible, even if you don’t yet have your accommodation letter from Services for Students with Disabilities. See the section on accommodations for students with disabilities (below). There will be no makeup midterms. If you miss a midterm due to illness, a personal emergency, or other valid reason, and if you provide me with documentation of the event, I will re-weight your other exams. An illness or emergency must be serious and unavoidable, and documented, in order for you to be excused. Otherwise, you will receive a zero for the missed exam. Contact me by email as soon as possible, to discuss your situation. You must take the final exam at the scheduled time unless you have a valid, documented reason. A request to take the final exam at an alternate time should be made well ahead. If an illness or emergency prevents you from writing the final exam at the scheduled time, contact me by email at the earliest opportunity. If the emergency is serious, unavoidable, and documented, you will receive an incomplete for the course, and a makeup final exam will be arranged, which may be during the following semester.

A deadline for raising grading issues will be announced after each midterm exam, together with a process for submitting a request for your exam to be re-graded. LAUNCHPAD LaunchPad is a web-based learning and homework lab. See “TEXTBOOK” above for your options for acquiring access to LaunchPad. The LaunchPad “getting started” instructions on Canvas describe how to use the access code to register if you purchase the bundle; how to purchase access if you do not purchase the bundle; and how to register for temporary LaunchPad access if you need to delay payment to LaunchPad. (A 21-day grace period is available, which starts when you register on the LaunchPad web site. LaunchPad will store scores on homework you complete during the grace period so you can do all of the LaunchPad homework, once you’ve registered, even before you pay.) Each student must register for LaunchPad. During registration, you’ll be prompted for your UT EID (necessary for us to associate your LaunchPad scores with your exam scores and participation points). LaunchPad will be used for two purposes – Launchpad homework and “makeup points” (see below). There will be approximately 10-12 LaunchPad homework assignments (some topics have more than one). The point values of LaunchPad assignments differ. When you log in to LaunchPad, you will see all of the LaunchPad assignments, and the date and time each is due. You can return to an assignment and work on it until it is due. Once you start an assignment, you’ll see the point value of each question, and the number of attempts allowed for each question. (The number of attempts varies.) Many questions have multiple parts, and you have to scroll down to see all of the parts. Most of the questions are “algorithmic”, meaning different students see different numbers for the same question, and the question (or numbers) may change if you attempt a question more than once. If you have technical problems with LaunchPad, please begin by contacting the LaunchPad help desk (see the LaunchPad “getting started” instructions on Canvas for the help desk phone number and hours). LaunchPad provides an excellent foundation for the knowledge and skills we build in this course. The practice homework and practice exam questions on Canvas consist of more complex, high-level problems, that build on that foundation. The two resources (LaunchPad and Canvas practice questions) are complements (not substitutes). Your LaunchPad homework score for the semester will be ‘number of points of correct answers as a percentage of the number of possible points.’ PARTICIPATION POINTS There will be clicker questions during most lectures. Each clicker question is worth 2 points (one for the attempt, plus one for getting it correct). Some clicker questions will be open as you enter the lecture; they’ll be left open for only a minute or two after lecture starts (so be on time to lecture!). Some clicker questions will be woven into the lecture. Sometimes there will be a drill (quiz) using clickers. Sometimes you’ll be given problems to do outside of class, and there will be clicker questions on those problems in lecture. You must register your iClicker on the Canvas Eco 329 web site (do not use the iClicker web site). Your iClicker must be registered separately for each of your courses that use iClickers. The iClicker database stores your responses according to the number on the bottom of your iClicker. Registering that number allows us to associate your iClicker number with your UT EID for all answers you give over the whole semester (even those given before you register your iClicker). If you have a problem registering your iClicker (including not being able to read the number on the bottom), please see the head TA, who will help you. There also will be quizzes on Canvas, consisting of questions similar to clicker questions, which will count as part of your participation score. Unless otherwise stated, each part of each Canvas quiz question is worth 2 points (you get 2 points for a correct answer and 0 points for an incorrect answer). Your participation score will be ‘clicker points earned + Canvas quiz points earned, as a percentage of the number of possible points.’ MAKEUP POINTS Participation points count for 15% of your course grade. The total number of possible participation points will be approximately evenly divided among the three segments of the course (5% of the course score for each segment). For each segment of the course, you will be able to “make up” 12 percent of that segment’s participation points. (This corresponds to approximately 2 lectures worth.) This policy should accommodate the normal needs of students sometimes to miss a lecture due to a minor illness, job interview, etc. (If you need to be absent for more than an occasional lecture, due to a prolonged illness or other unusual circumstances, please see me.)

“Makeup points” are earned in LaunchPad. For each segment of the course, there are three chapters of the book (besides the introductory chapter). Each chapter has a “Learning Curve” that dynamically leads the student through the chapter, with problems to solve based on the reading. The student earns points only for a completed Learning Curve. Details are in LaunchPad. Any student can complete the Learning Curves to increase their participation points for that segment. I.e., regardless of whether a student misses points due to wrong answers on clicker questions or Canvas quizzes, or due to absences, each Learning Curve that is completed replaces some missed points. Your participation score is capped at 100% for each segment of the course (separately). CANVAS On Canvas, you’ll find  Lecture slides. Some examples will be done on the document camera (included in Lecture Online).  Lectures Online (see below)  Canvas quizzes  Practice homework problems with answers (not for credit)  Practice exams with answers (not for credit)  Exams with answers (posted after you take your exams)  Exam scores and other scores  Announcements LECTURES The lectures assume you have done the reading beforehand. The lecture slides go beyond the material in the textbook, in both scope and depth. You are responsible for all material covered in lecture, and in the required lecture slides (even if not covered in class), unless I note otherwise. It is recommended that you have the lecture slides in front of you during class, either in printed form, or on a computer, to facilitate note-taking. If you find that mathematical symbols are “lost” or smudged when printing, open and print from Adobe reader (free). You can print “2 on 1” or “4 on 1” (slides per printed page), to save paper. Some of the presentation slides have a red star at the top right. These slides are not included in the students’ slides; they contain examples we will work through, in class, on the document camera. However, “red star slides” are in the Lectures Online videos. Answers to clicker questions and Canvas quiz questions will be discussed in lecture, but will not be posted on Canvas. However, they are in the Lectures Online videos. Lectures Online. Our class is using the Lectures Online system. This system records the audio, slides, and work on the document camera, in a video, for you to review after class. Links to the videos will appear in the Lectures Online tab on the Canvas website for this class. To view a recording, simply click on the Lectures Online navigation tab and follow the instructions presented to you on the page. You can learn more about how to use the Lectures Online system at http://sites.la.utexas.edu/lecturesonline/. While it is not required that you purchase Lectures Online, it is recommended.

If you purchase access before the 12th class day, the cost is $12 for the entire semester. The regular cost is $16 (applicable after the 12th class day). Recordings are available on a complimentary basis through the 12th class day so you can check out the system. Recordings of the lectures will be available shortly after the lecture, through the final exam period. Each student who subscribes has access to the entire semester of lectures, for the entire semester, regardless of the date they subscribe. Answers to clicker questions and Canvas quiz questions are reviewed in lecture but are not posted; however these answers are in the Lectures Online videos.

Conduct. Leaving lecture early is distracting and disruptive both for me and for other students. Once in lecture, you are expected to stay until the end. If you don’t anticipate wanting to stay until the end, it is better not to come. If you must arrive late, or leave early, I expect you to let me know ahead of time, in a brief email, or by coming up before class (or as soon as possible afterwards, if you have a last-minute emergency). Please feel free to ask questions during lecture. Keep discussions with your neighbors to a minimum during class—even whispering is distracting to all—unless we’re doing an activity where discussion is encouraged (such as clicker questions). I request that during lecture, any device you have open be used only for lecture notes.

PRACTICE HOMEWORK PROBLEMS AND PRACTICE EXAMS Practice homework problems are posted for each unit, with detailed answers. These are instructive problems intended to develop your understanding of how to apply the methods taught in this course; how to solve complex problems more generally; and to check your proficiency. They are similar to exam problems, although typically exam problems are shorter. It is strongly recommended that you make the practice homework a central part of your study plan. Many students form study groups to work through and discuss these problems. Practice exams with detailed answers also are posted (from multiple semesters). These are excellent study tools. You can use some for learning and others to check your proficiency and speed, which will give you confidence. COMMUNICATION You are responsible for all information given in lecture, including lecture content and announcements, and for all information posted on Canvas. You are responsible for all information in email exchanges directly between you and me, and between you and any of the TA’s. Course emails may come from me or from any of the TA’s. Check any email address that you have used to email me or the TA’s, as well as the email address you have on file with UT (used by Canvas). Some information will be conveyed only in Canvas announcements. I recommend you set up Canvas so that announcements are emailed to you (in addition to remaining permanently on Canvas). OFFICE HOURS My office hours are on T, Th 11:00 – 12:30, in BRB 3.102C. TA office hours are below. TEACHING ASSISTANTS The TA’s for this class are below. Information about TA office numbers, office hours, and email addresses will be posted on Canvas, and this syllabus will be re-posted on Canvas, once it is determined. Office Office hours Email address Pablo Varas (Head TA) BRB 4.116 [email protected] Ivan Larson [email protected] Shenshen Yang [email protected] Rundong Jiang [email protected] HOW TO GET HELP The “regular” TA’s attend lectures, hold office hours, and grade homework and exams. Please go to their office hours, and my office hours, for questions about the material. This includes questions about how to approach LaunchPad homework and Canvas quizzes. (We can’t show you how to solve questions that will be graded, but we can show you how to answer a similar question, and discuss how to approach the question.) The head TA maintains the database of scores, organizes administration of exams (including alternate exams for students with conflicts and extended time for students with disabilities), supervises grading; manages requests for re-grading; and in general helps me with administration of the course. (I am the president and chief executive officer, and the head TA is the vice-president and chief operating officer.) Please go to the head TA’s office hours if you have questions about your scores (on clicker questions, Canvas quizzes, and exams), or other problems. If you have a technical problem with LaunchPad, please contact the LaunchPad help desk (see the LaunchPad “getting started” instructions on Canvas for the help desk phone number and hours). If you have a question about the way a LaunchPad question is graded, please email me at the course gmail, [email protected] (put “LaunchPad” and the assignment number and question number in the subject line). The TA’s cannot solve LaunchPad technical problems or handle LaunchPad grading issues (because they involve a publisher’s web site with its own content designers and programmers). You can come to my office hours with any question or concern, whether it’s specific (material) or general (standing in the course, study strategies, etc.). I am always happy to talk to you.

SCHEDULE OF TOPICS AND READING (SUBJECT TO CHANGE, ANY CHANGE WILL BE POSTED) WEEKS 1-2 TOPIC 1: Introduction to economic data Aug. 25, 30 An Introduction to Statistics and Statistical Inference Ch. 1, Ch. 2 section 2.1

WEEK 2 TOPIC 2: Descriptive statistics Aug. 30, Sep. 1 Numerical Summary Measures Ch. 3 (omit 3.4) Correlation Ch. 12 (pp. 596-599 only) PRACTICE HW 01 & 02

WEEK 3 TOPIC 3: Frequency distributions Sep. 6, 8 Tables and Graphs for Summarizing Data Ch. 2 section 2.4 (omit 2.2-2.3) PRACTICE HW 03

WEEKS 4-5 TOPIC 4: Probability Sep. 13, 15, 20, 22 Probability Ch. 4 PRACTICE HW 04

Midterm #1: Thursday Sep. 22 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm

WEEKS 6-8 TOPIC 5: Discrete random variables Sep. 27, 29, Oct. 4, 6 Random Variables and Discrete Probability Distributions Ch. 5 PRACTICE HW05

Weeks 8-10 TOPIC 6: Continuous random variables Oct. 11, 13, 18, 20 Continuous Probability Distributions Ch. 6 (omit 6.4) PRACTICE HW 06

WEEK 10-11 TOPIC 7: Sampling theory Oct. 25, 27 Sampling Distributions Ch. 7 PRACTICE HW 07

Midterm #2: Thursday Oct. 27 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm

WEEKS 11-12 TOPIC 8: Point and interval estimation Nov. 1, 3, 8 Confidence Intervals Based on a Single Sample Ch. 8 PRACTICE HW 08

WEEKS 13-14 TOPIC 9: Hypothesis tests for one population Nov. 10, 15, 17, 22 Hypothesis Tests Based on a Single Sample Ch. 9 PRACTICE HW 09

WEEK 15 TOPIC 10: Inference across two populations Nov. 29, Dec. 1 Confidence Intervals and Hypothesis Tests based on Two Samples or Treatments Ch. 10 (omit 10.3) Practice HW 10

Final exam: Tuesday, Dec. 13 from 2:00-5:00 pm (confirm date, time, and room with the registrar)

DETAILS ABOUT TOPICS, READING, AND EXAMS Comment on Ch. 1-3: There are various ways to sequence the topics in these chapters. This course covers Ch. 3 before Ch. 2 and it brings some of the concepts from Ch. 2 forward into Topic 1. WEEKS 1-2 TOPIC 1: Introduction to economic data ONE AND ONE-HALF CLASSES An Introduction to Statistics and Statistical Inference Ch. 1, Ch. 2 section 2.1 The lecture slides for Topic 1 introduce the concepts of a data generating process (DGP), variable, and unit of observation, as well as discrete vs. continuous variables, and expand upon both Ch. 1 and Ch. 2 section 2.1.

WEEK 2 TOPIC 2: Descriptive statistics ONE AND ONE-HALF CLASSES Numerical Summary Measures Ch. 3 (omit 3.4) Section 3.1 covers basic material on the sample mean, median, and mode. Section 3.2 covers basic material on the range, interquartile range, and sample variance. You are responsible for this material, and for the corresponding material in the Topic 2 lecture slides, even if it is not covered in class. Ignore “A Closer Look”, point 1 in Kokoska on pg. 79 toward the bottom; the Topic 3 lecture slides expand at length on how to compute descriptive statistics from grouped data, using different (better) notation for class frequencies and relative frequencies. Ignore the definitions of the first and third quartiles, and “How to Compute Quartiles”, on pg. 90 of Kokoska; the Topic 2 lecture slides have a different (better) way to compute quartiles. (Kokoska’s definitions of the median, and how to compute the interquartile range from the first and third quartiles, are fine.) Ignore the instructions on pp. 104-5 about computing percentiles. You are responsible for Chebyshev’s Rule in Section 3.3. Delay reading about the “empirical rule” (pp. 100-104) until Topic 6, which covers the normal distribution. Correlation Ch. 12 (pp. 596-599 only) The Topic 2 lecture slides also discuss covariance (numerator of the correlation coefficient, and needed for linear combinations used later).

WEEK 3 TOPIC 3: Frequency distributions TWO CLASSES Tables and Graphs for Summarizing Data Ch. 2 section 2.4 (omit 2.2-2.3) Section 2.4 covers the core of Topic 3. Ignore the concept of a “density” in Ch. 2 (pp. 57-58). We will reserve the term “density” for the equation of the curve that distributes the probability of a continuous random variable over its domain (probability density function, Topic 6). The lecture slides show you how to construct a relative frequency histogram that can be used regardless of whether the class intervals are equal or unequal in length.

WEEKS 4-5 TOPIC 4: Probability FOUR CLASSES Probability Ch. 4 Ch. 4 has good coverage of most of the material on probability we will do. Its treatment of Bayes Rule (pg. 176) is brief; the Topic 4 lecture slides go into more depth.

Midterm #1

WEEKS 6-8 TOPIC 5: Discrete random variables FOUR CLASSES Random Variables and Discrete Probability Distributions Ch. 5 Ch. 5 has good coverage of discrete random variables. Its treatment of mathematical expectation is brief (pg. 203); the Topic 5 lecture slides go into more depth. Also, the Topic 5 lecture slides cover joint probability distributions and linear combinations of discrete random variables, which Ch. 5 does not. You are responsible for the binomial, geometric, Poisson, and hypergeometric random variable, even if they are not covered in class (Sections 5.4-5.5); the Topic 5 lecture slides also cover these random variables in depth.

Weeks 8-10 TOPIC 6: Continuous random variables FOUR CLASSES Continuous Probability Distributions Ch. 6 (omit 6.4) Go back and read pp. 100-104 in Ch. 3 (“empirical rule”, on the normal distribution). In addition to Sections 6.1-6.2, you are responsible for Section 6.3, even if it is not covered in class. (The Topic 6 lecture slides also have good coverage of the “normal plot”, used to check the assumption of normality.) Ch. 6 does not cover linear combinations of continuous random variables, which are necessary for Topic 10 (among other things); the Topic 6 lecture slides cover this material. The Topic 6 lecture slides also cover the chi-square, Student t, and F random variables (used in Topics 8-10); however, it is possible we will delay coverage of these random variables until Topics 8 (Student t and chi-square) and Topic 10 (F).

WEEK 10-11 TOPIC 7: Sampling theory TWO CLASSES Sampling Distributions Ch. 7 The Topic 7 lecture slides go into more depth about the Central Limit Theorem (pg. 304).

Comment about MT#2 material: Starting in Fall 2016, Topic 7 will be included on MT#2. Prior to Fall 2016, Topic 7 was after MT#2. MT#2 is not cumulative. Midterm #2

WEEKS 11-12 TOPIC 8: Point and interval estimation THREE CLASSES Confidence Intervals Based on a Single Sample Ch. 8 The Topic 8 lecture slides go into more depth about the properties of estimators (8.1). They also go into more detail about the circumstances in which different confidence intervals are valid.

WEEKS 13-14 TOPIC 9: Hypothesis tests for one population FOUR CLASSES Hypothesis Tests Based on a Single Sample Ch. 9 Ch. 9 has good coverage of the conceptual framework of hypothesis testing (9.1-9.2). The remainder of the chapter is also good. The lecture slides add the following material: hypothesis test about a population proportion with a small sample (9.6 covers a large sample); rejection probability curve; the confidence interval approach to reaching a conclusion (Ch. 9 covers the rejection region approach and p-values); identifying the assumptions (circumstances) in which different test statistics are valid. Note that there are two different ways of writing the rejection region; Kokoska uses one, and the Topic 9 and Topic 10 lecture slides use the other. On exams in Eco 329, you will be asked to use the rejection region approach laid out in the lecture slides.

WEEK 15 TOPIC 10: Inference across two populations TWO CLASSES Confidence Intervals and Hypothesis Tests based on Two Samples or Treatments Ch. 10 (omit 10.3)

Comment about the final exam: I reserve the right to include a few questions from MT#1 and MT#2 material on the final (possibly one or two questions that students had trouble with on MT#1 or MT#2). However, the large majority of questions will be on material after MT#2, and it is possible that there will be no questions from before MT#2. You’ll be using concepts and definitions from the first two segments of the course as ingredients in estimation and hypotheses testing. Segment 3 material is essential preparation for econometrics, and is inherently cumulative; that is why the final exam has a weight of 35% in your course score. Final exam

QUANTITATIVE REASONING FLAG. This course carries the Quantitative Reasoning flag. Quantitative Reasoning courses are designed to equip you with skills that are necessary for understanding the types of quantitative arguments you will regularly encounter in your adult and professional life. You should therefore expect a substantial portion of your grade to come from your use of quantitative skills to analyze real-world problems. ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. A student with a disability may request academic accommodations from Services for Students with Disabilities (512-471-6259, http://diversity.utexas.edu/disability/). SSD accepts documentation of the disability, and provides the student with letters for their instructors stating the appropriate accommodations. SSD also provides guidelines for informing instructors about needed accommodations. Let me know of any accommodation(s) you will need as early in the semester as possible, even if you don’t have your accommodation letter yet. In order to receive an accommodation, I need either the SSD letter or knowledge that the letter is on its way at least as far ahead as specified by SSD guidelines for informing instructors. (If you receive an accommodation, I will need your SSD accommodation letter in order for your score to count toward your course grade.) RELIGIOUS HOLY DAYS. By UT Austin policy, you must notify me of your pending absence at least fourteen days prior to the date of observance of a religious holy day. If you must miss a class, an examination, or an assignment, in order to observe a religious holy day, you will be given an opportunity to complete the missed work within a reasonable amount of time after the absence. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY. Each student in this course is expected to abide by the University of Texas Honor Code: “The core values of The University of Texas at Austin are learning, discovery, freedom, leadership, individual opportunity, and responsibility. Each member of the university is expected to uphold these values through integrity, honesty, trust, fairness, and respect toward peers and community.” On all graded work in this course, you are expected to submit work that is your own. On homework and quizzes, you are welcome to discuss with others how to approach a problem, but the last step before you submit your answer should be that you solve the problem yourself. However, discussion in class about clicker questions is allowed and encouraged. During exams, you must do your own work. Unless it is explicitly allowed, you may consult only the materials provided as part of the exam, and you may not look at notes, books, articles, etc., whether yours or anyone else’s. No communication of any kind is permitted between students during exams (written, verbal, non-verbal, etc.). You may not look at another student’s work, and you may not show another student your work. Any such behavior during the examinations will result in failure of the exam, and may lead to failure of the course and University disciplinary action. USE OF EMAIL FOR OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE TO STUDENTS. All students should become familiar with the University's official email student notification policy. It is the student's responsibility to keep the University informed of any changes in his or her email address. Students are expected to check email on a frequent and regular basis in order to stay current with University communications, recognizing that certain communications may be time-critical. This includes emails from instructors. It is recommended that email be checked daily. EMERGENCY EVACUATION. From the Office of Campus Safety and Security (512-471-5767, http://www.utexas.edu/safety/): o Occupants of buildings on The University of Texas at Austin campus are required to evacuate buildings when a fire alarm is activated. Alarm activation or announcement requires exiting and assembling outside. o Familiarize yourself with all exit doors of each classroom and building you may occupy. Remember that the nearest exit door may not be the one you used when entering the building. o Students requiring assistance in evacuation shall inform their instructor in writing during the first week of class. o In the event of an evacuation, follow the instruction of faculty or class instructors. o Do not re-enter a building unless given instructions by the following: Austin Fire Department, The University of Texas at Austin Police Department, or Fire Prevention Services office. o Behavior Concerns Advice Line (BCAL): 512-232-5050 o Link to information regarding emergency evacuation routes and emergency procedures can be found at: utexas.edu/emergency. BEHAVIOR CONCERNS ADVICE LINE (BCAL). If you become worried about someone who is acting differently, you may call the Behavior Concerns Advice Line at 512-232-5050 to discuss your concerns about their behavior. This service is provided by the Office of the Dean of Students, the Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC), the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and the University of Texas Police Department (UTPD). Visit http://www.utexas.edu/safety/bcal for more information.