Syllabus

Summer 2025 Course Syllabus

Download the full syllabus as a PDF

📚

Course Information

Lecture Time

M/W/T/R 8:00 AM–9:30 AM

Lecture Hall

HSSB 1173

Sections

As scheduled on GOLD (see Canvas for Zoom links)

Email

nmathlouthi@ucsb.edu

Office

Ellison Hall 5829

Office Hours

Thursdays 11:00 AM–12:00 PM (via Zoom or by appointment)

Note: Zoom links are posted on the Canvas page for the class.

👥

Teaching Assistants

SL

Summer Le

sle@ucsb.edu

MH

Mingzhu He

mingzhuhe@ucsb.edu

Email policy: Include [PSTAT 5A] in your subject. Allow 24–48 hours for a reply (avoid weekends).

🎯

Course Description

This introductory course covers the foundations of statistical thinking, including data description, probability, and inference. Students will learn how to summarize data, compute basic probabilities, and make informed decisions using statistical tools.

Student Learning Objectives

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

  • Summarize data using descriptive statistics
  • Understand fundamental probability rules and distributions
  • Conduct basic inferential procedures (confidence intervals, hypothesis tests)
  • Interpret results and communicate findings

📖

Course Materials

Canvas

Announcements, Zoom links, and grades (canvas.ucsb.edu)

Calculator

Scientific calculator for in-class and quiz work

Computer

Use our JupyterHub instance

Recommended Texts

OpenIntro Statistics (free online)
Think Stats by Allen Downey (free online)

📅

Class Schedule

Note: For the most up-to-date details, please visit the Class Schedule tab on our website: Class Schedule

📊

Grading

Grade Breakdown:

  • Lecture attendance: 5%

  • Section attendance: 5%

  • Quiz 1: 30%

  • Quiz 2: 30%

  • Quiz 3: 30%

Grading Scale:

A Grades B Grades C Grades D/F Grades
A+: 97–100 B+: 87–89 C+: 77–79 D+: 67–69
A: 93–96 B: 83–86 C: 73–76 D: 60–66
A–: 90–92 B–: 80–82 C–: 70–72 F: < 60

Grades round to the nearest whole number (e.g., 89.7 → 90).

📝

Quizzes

1

Quiz 1: Weeks 1–2

July 10th

Covers introduction and descriptive statistics

2

Quiz 2: Weeks 3–4

July 24th

Covers probability and hypothesis testing

3

Quiz 3: Weeks 5–6

July 31st

Covers ANOVA and regression analysis

Format: Multiple choice & short answer (open book)
Platform: Gradescope
Availability: Fridays 7 AM–12 AM (1‑hour limit)
Make‑up policy: Notify within 48 h; documentation required.

🎯

How to Succeed

  • Attend lectures & sections
  • Engage actively & ask questions
  • Use office hours for help

Classroom Expectations

Respect peers & TAs. Stay engaged. Seek support if needed.

Communication Guidelines

  • Use UCSB email with clear subject
  • Allow 24–48 h for replies
  • Use office hours or appointments

🛡️

Academic Integrity

Do your own work. Cite sources properly. See:

🤝

Student Resources

🦽 DSP & Accommodations Disability services and accommodations

📚 CLAS Campus Learning Assistance Services

🏥 Student Health Health and wellness services

🍎 Basic Needs Food security and basic needs support

💚 CAPS Counseling & Psychological Services

🎓 EOP Educational Opportunity Program

👥 ONDAS First-Generation Support

📋 Undocumented Services Support for undocumented students

🔄 Transfer Center Transfer student support

📅

Important Dates

Add w/o Code

June 29

Drop w/ Refund

June 29

Add w/ Code

July 3

Drop Course

July 9

Change Grade Option

August 1