Mathematical Sciences

MA206 Probability and Statistics

Program Director: LTC John JacksonCourse Director: MAJ Kevin CummiskeyAssistant CD: MAJ Nick Howard

Mathematical Sciences

Goals Of MA206 Manage uncertainty from a mathematical perspective. Develop probabilistic modeling abilities via classroom

applications and group projects. Use software to analyze data, perform calculations. Understand variation and how it affects statistical analysis –

emphasize statistical thinking. Understand mathematical models for patterns and the

appropriateness of these models. Make use of and effectively communicate appropriate

statistics in the decision making process.

Mathematical Sciences

• Data Analysis– Graphically represent data (scatter plots, histograms, EDF’s)– Measures of location and variance

• Random Variables and Probability Distributions– Distribution, PDF, CDF, percentiles, mean, variance– Use the EDF to determine ‘best-fit’ distributions– Monte Carlo simulation (variate generation)

• Population Parameter Inference– Confidence intervals for the mean– Hypothesis testing for the mean

• Linear Regression– Probabilistic properties of the coefficient estimates– Extension of the simple model (transformations/multiple

regression)

Topics in MA206

Mathematical Sciences

What MA206 is about…we think/hope• Have students interact with and confront issues

associated with real data. (in progress)• Emphasize more data and concepts, with less focus on

probability and fewer recipes.• Develop statistical literacy: variability, association vs.

causation, practical importance of statistical significance.• Foster active learning and engage the material in a

meaningful way.

Project – less prescriptive, have students develop their own research question, find data and investigate with concepts learned.

• Have students interact with and confront issues associated with real data. (in progress)

• Emphasize more data and concepts, with less focus on probability and fewer recipes.

• Develop statistical literacy: variability, association vs. causation, practical importance of statistical significance.

• Foster active learning and engage the material in a meaningful way.

Project – less prescriptive, have students develop their own research question, find data and investigate with concepts learned.

Mathematical Sciences

• Fall – MA153/MA255/MA100– About 230 Students

• Spring – Core Enrollment– Over 840 Students

• STAP – Veterans/Rookies/other

MA206 Seasonal Enrollment

Mathematical Sciences

Questions