1. DSCI 232 Professor: Harland E. Hodges, Ph.D. Office: 323 Beatty Center
Office Hours: Appointment between 7:30am – 8:00am
12:15pm – 1:40pm
3:00pm – 4:00pm
Harland E. Hodges, Ph.D., College of Charleston, School of Business & Economics

2. DSCI 232 and School Learning Goals
Ethical Awareness and Social Responsibility
Students will become aware of the ethical issues associated with intentionally biased samples and social issues regarding the understanding, use and interpretation of statistics in printed articles, news sources, business and social scenarios.
Global Awareness
Not covered in the course
Problem Solving Ability
Students will be learn about sampling and data collection as it relates to a business and social situations. They will also learn how to recognize, analyze and interpret the results.
Effective Communications
In addition to the ability to communicate statistically correct interpretations, students will learn how to effectively communicate results of their analysis in every day language.
Harland E. Hodges, Ph.D., College of Charleston, School of Business & Economics

3. Course Catalog Description
Statistical analysis with applications in business and economics utilizing relevant computer software.
Topics include descriptive and inferential statistics, quality improvement techniques, simple and multiple regression, analysis of variance, non-parametric statistics, chi-square analysis and decision analysis.
Harland E. Hodges, Ph.D., College of Charleston, School of Business & Economics

4. Prerequisite Skills MATH 104 or MATH 231 or MATH 216
A working knowledge of the following concepts:
. Descriptive statistics Probability analysis Binomial probability distribution Normal probability distribution Sampling techniques Statistical estimation (confidence intervals) Statistical inference (hypothesis testing single means and proportions)
Harland E. Hodges, Ph.D., College of Charleston, School of Business & Economics

5. Course Objectives
DSCI 232 as a tool course in the your business curriculum. Statistical methods are simply analytical tools to evaluate and solve problems in numerous business settings.
Problem solving techniques you will learn in this course are applicable to a wide variety of situations in disciplines such as finance, marketing, and operations management.
Your objective is to build upon the prerequisite foundation by mastering numerous business applications of the above material as well as applications of additional statistical concepts, techniques, and methods.
You will also learn to use the Microsoft EXCEL software application to assist in the analysis of data and presentation of your results.
Harland E. Hodges, Ph.D., College of Charleston, School of Business & Economics

6. Learning Objectives
Interpret business data using descriptive statistics techniques, including the use of spreadsheet functions.
Apply simple concepts of probability distributions to business problems, solving for statistics (given probabilities) and probabilities (given statistics) for normal, t-Student, Chi-Squared and F distributions.
Use statistical tests to make inferences about a population based on a sample.
Apply hypothesis testing for one and two populations to test for means and proportions in business applications.
Apply ANOVA and goodness of fit for testing for differences among multiple populations in business applications.
Apply Chi-Squared tests and regression for testing relationships between variables for business decision making.
Harland E. Hodges, Ph.D., College of Charleston, School of Business & Economics

7. Text & Statistical Analysis Software
VISA II is an educational package covering topics in introductory to intermediate statistics courses which includes:
. PowerPoint Lessons
. Statistical Analysis Software
. Homework Exercises
. Detailed Solutions
. Simulations
. Web Links
VISA II
Visual Interactive Statistical Analysis
Harland E. Hodges
Copyright © 2007
Harland E. Hodges, Ph.D., College of Charleston, School of Business & Economics

8. VISA II will not work on an Apple computer.
VISA II Statistical Analysis software is built using Microsoft ® Excel as the driver. Automated procedures are accessed through the VISA II engine which automatically launches when you place the CD in your computer.
A recent version of Excel is necessary. Labs at the College of Charleston have the necessary software to use VISA II.
VISA II will not work on an Apple computer.
Harland E. Hodges, Ph.D., College of Charleston, School of Business & Economics

9. Grading Scale & Grade Composition
A: points
B+: B:
C+: C: D: F:
Exam 1 Lessons 01, 02, %
Exam 2 Lessons 04, 05, 06, 07, 08 20%
Exam 3 Lessons 09, 10, %
Exam 4 Lessons 13, 14, %
Exam 5 Cumulative 20%
The grading scale is based on the total points scored on 5 exams. The exams are taken during a class period and are limited to the class time.
There is a cumulative final exam and the 5th exam will be taken during the final exam period.
Harland E. Hodges, Ph.D., College of Charleston, School of Business & Economics

10. Exams, VISA II Plus, & Calculators
DSCI 232 is very much a problem-solving course, and each examination will be focused on examples either directly from or similar to homework assignments.
Each examination will be thorough, time constrained, and will require a proficient use the use of the VISA II Plus software to assist in solving problems in a timely manner.
As a rule, a calculator should always be available for both exams and class time. Manual calculations are limited in this class; however, occasional arithmetical calculations are necessary.
Harland E. Hodges, Ph.D., College of Charleston, School of Business & Economics

11. Homework
Homework is an integral part of this course. DSCI is a building block course. The concepts learned in one class will provide the basis for the next class. Chapter reviews and timely homework will reinforce concepts prior to the next class.
Homework will not be picked up on a routine basis; however, you are responsible for each and every assigned homework problem.
Harland E. Hodges, Ph.D., College of Charleston, School of Business & Economics

12. Homework (continued)
If you are having difficulty with lecture material or with a particular homework problem, you should visit with me during my office hours or by appointment.
Failure to keep up on a timely basis with assignments will result in a less than desired grade for this course. If you get behind, there is a high probability that you will never get caught up.
You should allow approximately 2 hours of review and/or homework time for each 1 hour of classroom presentation.
Harland E. Hodges, Ph.D., College of Charleston, School of Business & Economics

13. Attendance Policy
Prompt and consistent attendance is critical for successful completion of this course. Notes taken during each lesson will be necessary to fully understand the complicated nature of this material.
Missing more than 2 days of class will result in you being dropped from the course. Inevitably you will be sick or have a legitimate excuse for missing class. Legitimate excuses for missing class still count as a missed class. This policy is non-negotiable.
You are responsible for checking and keeping up with your absences at the College of Charleston website
Harland E. Hodges, Ph.D., College of Charleston, School of Business & Economics

14. Honor Code
Cheating in any form is NOT allowed and will be rewarded, AT A MINIMUM, with a grade of F in the course.
If copying is involved, both parties will be judged equally guilty.
You can find the complete Honor Code and all related processes in the Student Handbook at
Harland E. Hodges, Ph.D., College of Charleston, School of Business & Economics

15. Make-Up Exams Exams will not be made up for any reason.
Missed exams will result in a grade of ZERO.
If you know in advance of a legitimate reason for missing an exam you should discuss this with me. We may be able to work out a solution in this situation.
Legitimate excuses for missing an exam, which are brought to my attention after the exam time will be considered; however, my judgement in this situation will be final and non-negotiable.
Harland E. Hodges, Ph.D., College of Charleston, School of Business & Economics

16. Grading Errors
Exams will be returned for a brief review of your results. You will not be able to keep your Exams.
If an error has been made in grading your exam, the mistake will gladly be corrected.
However, it is your responsibility to detect such a mistake and bring it to my attention on the day of the exam is returned to you. You forfeit this right to appeal errors by waiting until later in the semester to contact me.
Harland E. Hodges, Ph.D., College of Charleston, School of Business & Economics

17. Basic Requirements
Keep a binder, folder, or notebook for your homework, lesson presentations, class notes and handouts. Bring it to class each day.
Bring a calculator to class each day and know how to operate it properly.
Keep all of you assignments in an organized, orderly format. Easy reference to homework may be necessary for timely completion of an EXAM.
Harland E. Hodges, Ph.D., College of Charleston, School of Business & Economics

18. Basic Requirements (continued)
Be on time for class. At the beginning of many classes a Roll will be taken. If you are late to class you may forget to sign the roll and will be counted absent.
Do all homework assignments. Do not try to guess at which ones are the most important. Any homework assignment is a potential EXAM question.
Be sure that if you do your homework on a home computer that it and the software is compatible with the classroom software.
Harland E. Hodges, Ph.D., College of Charleston, School of Business & Economics

19. Computer Facilities
The College of Charleston is equipped with state of the art computer facilities for your use.
The PC Network may be accessed at numerous campus locations.
The Microsoft Office software that will be utilized in this class is available in these lab.
Harland E. Hodges, Ph.D., College of Charleston, School of Business & Economics

20. Do Not Hesitate to Ask For Help
If you need assistance, see me during my office hours.
Harland E. Hodges, Ph.D., College of Charleston, School of Business & Economics