LSP 121 - Syllabus
Quantitative Reasoning and Technological Literacy II (MTL II)
Spring 2017
LSP 121-302 Mo/Wed 11:20 am - 12:50 pm, Levan 306, course #33261
LSP 121-304 Mo/Wed 2:40 pm - 4:10 pm, Levan 306, course #33263
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Loop phone: (312) 362-6079 |
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Email: psisul@cdm.depaul.edu |
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Webpage: http://www.depaul.edu/psisul |
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Office hours (for assistance with
class material): |
Course Description
This course provides more advanced mathematical and computational methods in
the analysis and interpretation of quantitative information. Topics include
databases, descriptive statistics, measures of association and their
interpretation, elementary probability theory, and an introduction to
algorithms and computer programming. The course is taught in a hands-on
laboratory environment where students are introduced to advanced computer tools
for data analysis, including databases and a professional statistical software
package.
Learning Outcomes for LSP 121 (QRTL)
1. Statistics: Students
will be able to make and interpret frequency distributions; summarize data with
measures of center and dispersion; measure and interpret the association
between variables; recognize the difference between correlation and causation;
solve applied problems involving the normal distribution and z-scores.
2. Probability and
Chance: Students will be able to recognize that seemingly improbable
coincidences are not uncommon; evaluate risk from available evidence; and
calculate basic, common probabilities.
3. Algorithms and
reasoning: Students will be able to use sequential, logical thinking; develop
algorithms to solve problems; use Boolean conditionals and repetition
structures to create simple computer programs.
4. Database tools: Students will be able to enter data into a
pre-existing database; import data from a text file or spreadsheet file into a
database; filter records based on a single parameter and on multiple
parameters; sort records with multiple sort keys; formulate and conduct
queries; generate a report from a database; recognize the difference between a
flat file and a relational database; create a relational database using two or
more tables; construct a query for a relational database using joins; design
and implement forms for data entry.
5. Professional Statistical Package: Students will be able to
import data from a spreadsheet or database into a statistics package; use
graphical tools in a statistical package to make specialized statistics plots
such as scatter plots, histograms and normal probability plots; calculate
descriptive summary statistics using a statistical package and analyze
correlations.
6. Programming tools: Students will be able to construct the
concept of algorithm through experimentation and reflection on everyday
activities; articulate an accurate definition of an algorithm; recognize
algorithms fitting the definition; construct the notion of a control structure
and a repetition structure; acquire the ability to trace simple program
listings using control and repetition structures; use control and repetition
structures to write simple computer programs to effect a task.
How Learning Outcomes Will Be Met
1. Statistics: Activity 4b is devoted entirely to basic descriptive statistics and normal
distribution; Activity 5 discusses correlation. Homework assignment
4 reinforces these concepts.
2. Probability: Activity 6 covers an introduction to probability
with a short section on risk. Homework assignment 5 reinforces these concepts.
3. Algorithms and reasoning: Activities 8a and 8b introduce the
concepts of sequential statements, if statements, loop statements, and function
call statements and require the students to use these to solve a variety of
problems. Homework assignment 7 reinforces these concepts.
4. Database tools: Activities 1, 2 and 3 introduce Access databases,
table/query/form/report creation, and normalization. Homework
assignments 1-3 reinforce these concepts.
5. Professional statistical package: Activity 5a introduces the
statistical package SPSS and requires the student to use it to solve multiple
tasks; Activity 10 continues the use of SPSS
6. Programming tools: Activities 9a and 9b introduce the concepts
of sequential statements, if statements, loop statements, and function call
statements and require the students to use these to solve a variety of problems. Activities
9c and 10 introduce three common application areas of computer algorithms: data
compression, encryption/decryption (security), and data error detection and
correction. Homework assignment 7 reinforces these concepts.
Writing Expectations (these assignments overlap with those
given in LSP 120)
Five computer activities each of which has a
final product in the form of a Word document with five to ten short paragraph
responses.
Five class assignments with approximately 10 short paragraph responses.
How Writing Expectations Will Be Met
All team and
individual assignments require the students to answer questions using
appropriate communication techniques, including short paragraph answers. Most
activities involving word problems with numerical answers must be answered in a
full sentence describing answer and method of arriving at answer. Expressions of answers will also include
proper mathematical expressions used in solutions to problems if necessary.
Required Materials
Students should have a
storage device such as a flash disk (thumb drive) for class. Label each device with
your name and email address in case they become misplaced.
Textbook: none
Prerequisites:
If you feel you already
are familiar with the materials presented in this course, there is an option to
take a placement exam. You must take this exam within the first week of
classes. The course requirement will be waived if you pass the exam. Consult
the qrc.depaul.edu website for more details.
A student whose major requires calculus is exempt from this requirement.
Students with Disabilities Resources
Students
who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability
should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All
discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most
appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early
as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and
make sure that you contact the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Student Center, LPC, Suite #370
Phone number: (773) 325.1677
Fax: (773) 325.3720
TTY: (773) 325.7296
Students will need the
following electronic resources:
Use of this webpage and D2L: link to D2L
This page provides an
overview of the syllabus and course content. The D2L tool is to be used for a
fuller view of course content, assignments, and announcements. It is the main
tool to use for this course. It also contains a DropBox
for assignments and grade information.
The Quantitative
Reasoning Center (QRC) provides invaluable support to LSP121 students. Check
for location and hours of QRC LSP121 tutors at the QRC website http://qrc.depaul.edu
Grading Scale:
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92 – 100 |
A |
72 – 77 |
C |
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90 – 91 |
A - |
70 – 71 |
C - |
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88 – 89 |
B + |
68 – 69 |
D + |
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82 – 87 |
B |
60 – 67 |
D |
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80 – 81 |
B - |
0 – 59 |
F |
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78 – 79 |
C + |
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Objectives of Course:
This Quantitative
Reasoning and Technological Literacy course is designed to help you to become a
more confident, critical, and capable user of quantitative information of all
kinds. In particular, it will help you to
Course Breakdown
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In-class activities (in groups) |
25% |
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Homework assignments |
15% |
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Midterm exam, part 1 and part 2 |
20% + 20% = 40% |
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Final exam |
20% |
An expanded description of each follows:
Final Exam: An in-class final exam
must be taken in order to receive a grade in this course. Final exam content is
based on material outlined for the exam (mostly material covered since the
Midterm). If you cannot take the exam due to illness or family emergency, you
must inform the instructor in advance by phone or email. In such situations,
you will typically receive an incomplete grade in the course and arrangements
must be made for you to take the final exam as soon as possible. This
exam is referred to as the Final Exam.
Midterm Exams: Two in-class midterm examinations will be given during
class. There are no makeup exams for these midterm exams. If you cannot take an
exam due to illness or family emergency, you must inform instructor in advance
by phone or email. These exams are referred to as Exam 1 and Exam 2.
The combined average of the midterms and final exam must be a passing grade in
order to pass this course - this is to ensure that you are capable of doing
some work on your own.
Homework Assignments: There will be about 7 homework assignments to be
done outside of class. The purpose of these assignments is to give you
individual, out-of-class practice on the required skills and to explore some
ideas more thoughtfully. The assignments are posted on the course web page or
will be handed out in class. These assignments are called individual because
they must be done individually, not in groups. These assignments
are to be submitted by due date for credit.
In-class Activities: Since these activities are only done in class,
attendance and participation are important. Much of the class time will be
spent working in groups doing exploratory activities that utilize a
collaborative "learn by doing" approach. These will be completed in
class and each person in the group will receive the same grade for the
activity. Each activity must include the name of each group member that
participated in the assignment. In-class activities are to be submitted using
D2L. If you do not complete an activity for a given day and a new activity is
scheduled to be introduced next class period, you should finish your activity
on your own time. This way you will be able to keep up with the class lectures.
Note on late work: Activities are due at 11:59 pm on the day assigned. You will
always have time in class for these activities. Homework assignments are
due one week after the day on which the assignment is posted; usually by Friday
of the following week. This amounts to having one week in which to do the
homework assignment. If for any reason you can't complete the work by the due
date, you can submit to the proper DropBox item or
email work directly to instructor with reason for lateness. Assignments that
have to be submitted late will not be accepted more than 5 days past the due date.
Work (in-class activities or homework assignments) will not be accepted more
than 5 days from the due date. Work emailed later than the 5-day grace period
will receive a grade of zero.
Incomplete Grades
Grades of Incomplete are
given only in cases of medical emergency or other highly unusual emergency
situations. Please note that university guidelines require that you must be
earning a passing grade at the time you request an incomplete grade. You should
have completed most of the course, with at most one or two major forms of
evaluation missing. Incompletes revert to an F if they are not resolved by the
end of the second successive quarter. If such a situation should occur, please
inform the instructor as soon as possible in the quarter. A grade of FX is
assigned if the student quits attending class but never officially drops the
course.
Important Dates (see exam dates in weekly
schedule below)
March 27 – begin
spring quarter day and evening classes
March 31 – Last day to add or swap on-campus classes
April 7 – Last day to select pass/fail option
April 7 – Last day to drop on-campus classes with no penalty
April 14 - Good Friday, holiday
April 15-16 - Easter holiday
April 27 – Begin autumn quarter registration
May 12 – Last day to withdraw from spring quarter classes
June 2 – End spring quarter day and evening classes
June 5 – Begin spring quarter day and evening final exams
June 9 – End spring quarter day and evening final exams
June 16 – Grades due for spring quarter classes
Class Attendance
While attendance will
not be a percentage of your final grade, your attendance will be monitored
every class period. Perfect or near-perfect attendance can be advantageous to
your final grade if you are just short of achieving the next higher grade. For
example, a B+ can potentially become an A-.
Academic Integrity
Violations of academic
integrity, particularly plagiarism, are not tolerated. Plagiarism is defined by
the university as:
"..a major form of academic dishonesty
involving the presentation of the work of another as one's own. Plagiarism
includes but is not limited to the following:
Plagiarism, like other
forms of academic dishonesty, is always a serious matter. If an instructor
finds that a student has plagiarized, the appropriate penalty is at the
instructor's discretion. Actions taken by the instructor do not preclude the
college or the university from taking further punitive action including
dismissal from the university" (DePaul Student Handbook).
University policies on
academic integrity will be strictly adhered to. Consult the DePaul
University reference.
Some examples of
cheating specific to this class:
Individual
Assignments (Homework)
Any student who submits an Individual
Assignment by another student or prepared jointly with another student will be
subject to cheating/plagiarism penalties.
Extra Credit
Assignments or Bonus Assignments
Any student who submits an Extra Credit
Assignment prepared by another student or prepared jointly with another student
will be subject to cheating/plagiarism penalties.
Weekly Schedule
Weekly Schedule (subject
to change, check weekly)
Week 1: Introduction to
course; introduction to databases, importing spreadsheets into a database
Week 2: Relational
databases and normalization; database queries
Week 3: Database forms;
database reports; switchboard for Access
Week 4: Exam 1:
Monday, April 17, 2017 during
regular class time
Wednesday: Introduction to
descriptive statics, using SPSS
Week 5: Introduction to
cross tabulation and correlation
Week 6: Risk, risk
analysis and probability
Week 7: Monday: Number
systems including binary numbers
Exam 2: Wednesday, May 10, 2017 during
regular class time
Week 8: Introduction to
algorithms; programming with Alice 3D
Week 9: VBA code for
Excel, coin toss; compression and encryption
Week 10: Detecting and
fixing errors; review for Final Exam
Week 11: Final exam: LSP 121-302, Monday,
June 5, 2017, 11:30 am - 1:45 pm
section -302
usually meets at 11:20 am on Mondays
Final
exam: LSP 121-304, Monday, June 5, 2017, 2:30 pm - 4:45 pm
section -304
usually meets at 2:40 pm on Mondays
As a courtesy to other
students and the instructor - if you must keep your cell phone on, please turn
the ringer off and/or set the phone to vibrate mode. Please limit your entering
and leaving while a lecture is in progress
All of the lectures are
available as D2L documents (PowerPoints). If you wish to print any lecture it
is best to print three slides to a page, saving paper.