STAT 101: Introduction to Statistics: Life Sciences
STAT 102: Introduction to Statistics: Political Science

STAT 103: Introduction to Statistics: Social Sciences
STAT 105: Introduction to Statistics: Medicine
STAT 106: Introduction to Statistics: Data Analysis

Statistics is the science and art of prediction and explanation.  In most fields of study research relies on statistical analysis of data.  Each of these courses, led by an expert from the field of study, introduces statistical reasoning and emphasizes how Statistics is applied to the particular discipline. Topics include numerical and graphical summaries of data, data acquisition and experimental design, probability, hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, correlation and regression.  Students will learn to apply statistical concepts to data using Minitab and reach conclusions about real-world problems.

Each course focuses on applications to a particular field of study and is taught jointly by two instructors, one specializing in statistics and the other in the discipline particular to the course (Life Sciences for Stat 101, Political Science for Stat 102, and so on).  The courses meet together for the first seven weeks and separately for the final six weeks.  The first part of the course is taught by Jonathan Reuning-Scherer and covers fundamentals of probability and statistics.  Periodic examples are provided by individual course instructors.  The courses separate by area of specialty for the final six weeks.

Students interested in a course that covers similar material at a slower pace without the specialization to a particular field of study should consider taking Stat 100b  instead.  Students who already have been exposed to the course topics or who have extensive quantitative backgrounds should speak with the instructor about other course opportunities.  For example, students seeking a more mathematically rigorous or computationally intensive introduction to probability and statistics could consider taking Stat 238a.  Students with previous exposure to the concepts of statistics (for instance through AP Statistics) interested in focusing on the practice of data analysis should consider Stat 230b

Workload:   Regular problem sets, two midterms, and a final exam.

Expected Quantitative Preparation:   This course is intended to be accessible to all students having a basic knowledge of high school algebra. Students will be challenged by statistical reasoning, not by mathematical manipulations.  If you have any concerns about whether you are ready for this course, please contact the instructor.  

Examples of the most challenging math you will see in this course:

Solve the following equation for n :


sample problem

Plot and label the following points on graph paper:

Plot and label the following functions on graph paper: