Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Statistical Reasoning (Online)

MATH 1031-SW1

Course: MATH 1031-SW1
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: MATH
CRN: 32943

Course Description

An exploration of basic statistical concepts with a focus on developing critical reasoning skills. Students will represent data, calculate probabilities, draw conclusions using statistical tools, and critique statistical studies and data collection methods. Topics include descriptive statistics, basic probability, statistical graphs, experimental design, and an introduction to statistical inference. Appropriate for many non-quantitative majors, the course is designed to develop statistical literacy and involves limited algebraic manipulation. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): MATH 0970 or MATH 0990 or MATH 1010 or adequate test score within the last two (2) years - Prerequisite Min. Grade: B- (MATH 0970, MATH 0990), C (MATH 1010) Prerequisite Test: ACT Math Subscore or Accuplacer Elementary Algebra or ALEKS PPL - Prerequisite Test Score: 21 or 085 or 40 Registration Restriction(s): None General Education Category: Quantitative Literacy

Required Texts

“Statistical Reasoning for Everyday Life,” by Bennett, Briggs, Triola.
ISBN: 9780134701363


Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Read and analyze research papers, using statistical techniques to explain project results. 
  2. Analyze papers for possible experimental design flaws.
  3. Create and interpret graphs of data.
  4. Calculate descriptive statistics of data sets.
  5. Interpret probabilities. 
  6. Analyze data sets for correlation.
  7. Construct confidence intervals for population means and interpret confidence interval results. 
  8. Calculate P-values and use them to interpret the results of experimental projects.

Course Requirements

You are required to have access to the MyLab online homework system for this course.  On the first day of the course, you will automatically be given access to MyLab through Canvas using "Inclusive Access."  The first two weeks of access are complimentary.  If you remain in the class, a charge for this access will automatically be placed on your SUU student account.  If you would like to opt out of Inclusive Access, you can contact the SUU Bookstore about this.  If you opt out, you will still need to purchase access to MyLab through other means.

You are not required to purchase a physical copy of the textbook.  A digital copy of the textbook is included in your online access to MyLab.  To access the digital textbook, click on "Inclusive Access" in Canvas and then "Read Now". If you wish to buy a physical copy of the textbook, copies are available through the SUU Bookstore or online.  (Bundling is available, so if you want a print copy of the textbook, it may be cheapest to buy the book and the online access together.)

Course Outline

Online Homework Assignments  (15% of final grade)

You will have several online homework assignments due at the end of each week.  These assignments will be completed using MyLab.  To create an account and register for this course in MyLab, you can click "MyLab and Mastering" on the left-side menu of Canvas.

You should read the corresponding section of the textbook before attempting each homework assignment.  While these assignments are due on Friday of each week, you are encouraged to work on them throughout the week.  It may not be possible to complete all the assignments for a week in one day.  Assignments that are completed after the due date will receive reduced credit (10% deduction).

Discussion Assignments (10% of final grade)

Several weeks will include discussion assignments.  These assignments will include responding to prompts and posting your responses to a discussion board.  You will then be expected to reply to other students' posts to discuss that week's topics.

Your initial post should be posted by Thursday 11:59pm of the week, and your replies/discussions should be made by Sunday 11:59pm.

Discussions can't be submitted late.

Unit tests (60% of grade)

There will be five unit tests throughout the course.  These will be completed online through Canvas/MyLab.  Each test will become available on a Wednesday and remain open through Sunday 11:59pm.  Tests cannot be taken after the due date, unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor or in the case of an unforeseen emergency.  Tests that are missed will receive a grade of 0.

The dates and chapters for each test are shown below.


 | Test 1  | Ch 1-2  | 9/7 Sunday at 11:59pm
 | Test 2  | Ch 3-4  | 9/14 Sunday at 11:59pm
 | Test 3  | Ch 6-7  | 9/28 Sunday at 11:59pm
 | Test 4  | Ch 5 and 8  | 10/5 Sunday at 11:59pm
 | Test 5  | Ch 9-10  | 10/12 Sunday at 11:59pm

Final Project (15% of final grade)

In place of a final exam, you will complete a final project. This project will involve designing, implementing, and analyzing a statistical study. The project will be broken up into steps throughout the course, so watch the schedule for due dates of associated component assignments.  Please refer to this overview page for more information on the final project.


Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late work policy: Homework is due on the given due date. You can work on homework after the given due date, but you will earn only 80% of the credit for any problems completed late. It is your responsibility to be aware of homework due dates and to follow them.

Attendance Policy

Attendance is monitored through canvas assignment submissions.

Course Fees

The MyMathLab access code is included in the course fee through "Inclusive Access Course Materials".

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.