Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Statistical Reasoning (Online)

MATH 1031-30I

Course: MATH 1031-30I
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: MATH
CRN: 13478

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 978-0134701363

You are required to purchase access to the MyLab online system for this course.  You will automatically be given access through the Inclusive Access program, and a charge will be placed on your student account.  If you choose to opt out of Inclusive Access, you will be required 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.  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.)

Learning Outcomes


An introduction to the basic concepts of statistical data analysis and experimental design. This course will focus on applying statistical and probabilistic reasoning to several contexts, with the goal of having students demonstrate how to understand experimental results using statistical methods. This course will include: interpreting and creating statistical graphs, calculating descriptive statistics for data sets, calculating probability and showing how to use probability to predict results, analyzing data sets for correlation, creating and interpreting confidence intervals, calculating P-values and using them to draw conclusions about hypothesis testing for means, analyzing research papers from different fields for statistical accuracy and experimental design flaws, and creating a statistical analysis paper.

Furthermore, Math 1031 satisfies the Quantitative Literacy requirement for General Education: Upon successful completion of the General Education Quantitative Literacy requirement, students will be able to:
  1. Communicate: Use correct terminology and proper notation to explain quantitative or mathematical relationships (equations, graphs, diagrams, tables, data) and to support an argument, assertion, or purpose using quantitative or mathematical evidence;
  2. Mathematization: Convert quantitative or mathematical information into appropriate mathematical representations and/or models such as equations, graphs, diagrams, or tables, including making and evaluating important assumptions as needed;
  3. Calculation: Use algebraic skills and techniques to solve problems, including the ability to identify and correct errors in calculations and understanding the role and proper use of technology in assisting with calculations;
  4. Analysis: Draw appropriate conclusions through quantitative or mathematical analysis of data or models, including understanding and evaluating important assumptions in order to recognize the limits of the analysis; and
  5. Application / Creation: Solve concrete and abstract problems across multiple disciplines.
MATH 1031 Statistical Reasoning requires students to read and understand data and convert them into a graph or table to better understand and analyze the information. Students are also required to understand and explain the different terminology used when studying statistics. Further, students need to calculate probabilities and statistical P-values, and interpret the results that these numbers tell them. Finally, students will analyze a variety of data and create a paper summarizing the results, as well as read about scenarios from a variety of disciplines and use statistics to help understand them.

Course Requirements


Category | Weight
Online Homework | 15%
Discussion Assignments | 10%
Unit Tests | 60%
Final Project | 15%

Grades will be awarded as follows:
        A       above    93                                 B–     80    -     82                                D+     67    -     69
        A–     90    -     92                                C+     77    -     79                                D       63    -     66
        B+     87    -     89                                C        73    -     76                               D­–     60    -     62
        B        83    -     86                               C­–      70    -     72                               F       below    60

Course Outline

We will cover chapters 1-10 of the textbook. Topics include:
Understanding and classifying different types of data
Creating and reading tables, graphs, and charts to display data
Discuss how to falsely interpret data
Calculating descriptive statistics for data sets
Calculating probability and showing how to use probability to predict results
Analyzing data sets for correlation
Creating and interpreting confidence intervals
Calculating P-values and using them to draw conclusions about hypothesis testing for means
Analyzing research papers from different fields for statistical accuracy and experimental design flaws.
Understanding and classifying different types of data
Creating and reading tables, graphs, and charts to display data
Discuss how to falsely interpret data
Other topics if we have time

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

Homework is done online through MyLab, which will most likely be accessed through Canvas. The expectation is that you will complete 1-2 assignments "per day", meaning that you will complete 4-6 assignments on average per week. Assignments can be completed after the due date for a 20% dock in the score.
There will also be a discussion assignment most weeks. These discussion assignments must have an initial comment on them by Friday evening, with a response to others by Monday evening. These cannot be made up, and must be completed on time.
The course contains 5 midterm exams, and a final paper. If you cannot take one of the exams, please contact me BEFORE the exam ends to discuss your available options. Contacting me after the due date has passed will result in you receiving a failing grade on the test in most situations unless I agree that the circumstances were beyond your control.

Attendance Policy


Online classes have many benefits, but may also present specific challenges, especially to students who are new to online classes. To be successful in this online course, you will need to be self-motivated, organized, and comfortable with using computers.  In general, taking an online math class may be harder than taking a traditional math class in the classroom.  You will be expected to do a lot of learning on your own. Again, this will require self-motivation, discipline, and consistency.

Online classes do offer flexibility regarding schedule and pace; however, this class is not a completely "work-at-your-own-pace" course.  Assignments and tests have set due dates and you will need to stick to these dates.  Assignments are scheduled on a weekly basis, which means that you will be expected to be working on this course throughout each week.  Students may need to dedicate an average of one or two (or more) hours to this class daily to be successful. 

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.