ClassInfo

LSP 121 Quantitative Reasoning and Technological Literacy II

James Foster

Spring 2016-2017
Class number: 33278
Section number: 902
Tu 6:00PM - 9:15PM
LEVAN 00306 Lincoln Park Campus
Course homepage: http://d2l.depaul.edu

Download syllabus

Summary

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.


Objectives of this Course

This Quantitative Reasoning and Technology 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:

  • continue to critique quantitative arguments, whether given numerically, graphically, or in written form
  • manipulate data via the creation and use of relational databases
  • become acquainted with basic descriptive statistics and probability
  • understand the basic concepts of algorithm creation
  • continue the manipulation of discrete data via compression, error detection, and encryption

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 improbably 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 box plots and normal probability plots; calculate descriptive summary statistics using a statistical package.

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 These Learning Outcomes Will Be Met:

1. Statistics: Activity 6 is devoted entirely to basic descriptive statistics; Activity 7 discusses correlation; Activity 8 introduces normal distributions.

2. Probability: Activity 10 covers an introduction to probability with a short section on risk. Homework assignment 6 reinforces these concepts.

3. Algorithms and reasoning: Activities 13 and 14 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 reinforce these concepts.

4. Database tools: Activities 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 introduce Access databases, table/query/form/report creation, and normalization. Homework assignments 1-3 reinforce these concepts.

5. Professional statistical package: Activity 6 introduces the statistical package SPSS and requires the student to use it to solve multiple tasks; Activity 7 continues the use of SPSS. Homework assignment 4 reinforce these concepts.

6. Programming tools: Activities 13, 14, 15 and 16 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. Activity 12 introduces three common application areas of computer algorithms: data compression, encryption/decryption (security), and data error detection and correction.


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 These Writing Expectations Will Be Met:

All seven homework assignments and all sixteen activities require the students to answer many questions using short paragraph answers.



Texts


Required Materials

Students will need the following electronic resources:

  • A place to store your work (Flash drive, "cloud" account). If you bring a flash drive to class, please make sure that it is labeled with your name and email address, inside and outside.
  • Access to the software we will be using at the desktop in the classroom:
    • MS-Office, including
      • MS-Access
      • MS-word
      • MS-Excel
    • SPSS
    • file-compression sortware (e.g. WinZip)
    • pdf reader software (e.g. Adobe Reader)
  • The software products listed above are available at DePaul computer Labs.
  • MS-Office is available for use on a DePaul student's personal computer, free of charge, to DePaul students who activate an Office 365 Education Plus account.
  • SPSS is available for use on a DePaul student's personal computer, free of charge, via the DePaul Virtual Lab http://vlab.depaul.edu

Textbook: none


Grading

- In-class activities 25%
- Homework assignments 25%
- Midterm exam 25%
- Final exam 25%

Grading Scale:
100 - 92 - A
91 - 90 - A-
89 - 88 - B+
87 - 82 - B
81 - 80 - B-
79 - 78 - C+
77 - 72 - C
71 - 70 - C-
69 - 68 - D+
67 - 62 - D
61 - 60 - D-
59 - 0 - F




Prerequisites

Prerequisites: LSP 120

If you feel you already know the material presented in this course, there is a placement exam you may take. You must take this exam within the first week of classes to waive the course this quarter. If you pass this exam. you will be waived from taking this course. Consult the Quantitative Reasoning Center website http://qrc.depaul.edu for more details.



An expanded description of each follows:

Final Exam: An in-class final exam must be taken in order to receive a grade in the course. If a student cannot take the exam due to illness or family emergency, the student must inform the instructor in advance by phone or email. In such situations, the student will typically receive an incomplete grade in the course, and arrangements will be made for the student take the final exam as soon as possible the next term.

Midterm Exam: An in-class midterm examination will be given during class. If the student cannot take an exam due to illness or family emergency, the student must inform the instructor in advance by phone or email.

The combined average of the midterm and final exams must be a passing grade in order to pass this course (this is to ensure that each student is capable of doing some work on their own).

NOTE: THERE ARE NO MAKEUP EXAMS IN THIS COURSE

Homework Assignments: Except for the week before Midterm and Final, there will be an assignment to be done outside of class each week. The purpose is to give the student out of class practice on the skills they are learning and to explore some ideas more thoughtfully and deeply. The assignments are posted on the course web page and will be handed out in class. Homework assignments must be done individually and handed in at the beginning of the next class.

In-class Activities - Class attendance and participation are important. Role will be taken. Much of the class time will be spent working in groups doing exploratory activities that embody a collaborative "learn by doing" approach. These activities will be collected, and the entire group will receive the same grade for the activity. Each activity must include the printed name and signature of each group member that participated in the assignment. If the group doesn't complete an activity for a given day (or week) (and a new activity is scheduled to be introduced next class period), the group should finish the activity out of class and hand it in at the beginning of the next class. This way no one should fall behind with the class lectures.

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 the student must be earning a passing grade at the time of the request for an incomplete grade. The student should have completed most of the course, with at most only one or two major forms of evaluation missing. Incompletes revert to an F if they are not resolved within one quarter. If such a situation should occur, please inform the instructor as soon as possible. A grade of FX is assigned if the student quits coming to class but never officially drops the course.


Class Attendance

While attendance will not be a percentage of you final grade, your attendance will be monitored every class period



DATES TO NOTE:

Drop Dates

Last day to drop a class with no penalty is April 7, 2017

Grades of W assigned for SQ2017 classes dropped on or after April 8, 2017

Last day to withdraw from SQ2017 classes is May 12, 2017

The first day of class for Section 901 is Monday, March 27, 2017. The midterm is Monday May 1, 2017. The final exam is Monday, June 5, 2017.


The first day of class for Section 902 is Tuesday, March 28, 2017.The midterm is Tuesday May 2, 2017. The final exam is Tuesday, June 6, 2017.


All classes and tests will be held in Levan 306. Class begins promptly at 6:00 pm



Intro to course; introduction to databases; importing a spreadsheet into a database

Relational databases, normalization, database queries

Database forms, database reports

Introduction to descriptive statistics; using SPSS; normal distributions

Correlation

Midterm exam; Number systems and logarithms

Introduction to probability and risk

Introduction to algorithms and flowcharts

Introduction to Macro's using visual basic and Excel

Search techniques and introduction to compression, and encryption

School policies:

Changes to Syllabus

This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.

Online Course Evaluations

Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation. Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.

All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.

Academic Policies

All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx.

Students with Disabilities

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 have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296