SYLLABUS

Introductory Statistics for Business (Stat 285)

Stat 01-960-285-B6
Class Times: TTH 6:00 - 9:40 pm
Room: LSH B267, LIV

Instructor: Dr. Shyam Moondra

e-mail: moondra@rci.rutgers.edu
Office: Hill Center 469, Busch Campus
Office Hours: By appointment only
(TTH 4:30 5:30 pm)

COURSE DESCRIPTION/GOALS:
This course introduces the basic concepts of probability and statistics. It explores the methods of data
collection and description, and provides an understanding of the methods used for making statistical
inferences from observed data. Since business decisions are usually made under uncertainty, theories of
probability and inference are welded together throughout the course. Specific topics include descriptive
statistics, probability, discrete and continuous random variables, sampling distributions, and principles of
inferential statistics (confidence intervals and hypothesis testing) based on a single sample and two
samples.
PREREQUISITES:
Pre-calculus (Math 111 or equivalent).
TEXT:
"Statistics for Business and Economics," by James T. McClave, P. George Benson, and Terry Sincich,
12th Edition, Prentice Hall, 2013. This course will cover only the first 8 chapters; some of the "optional"
sections in these chapters may not be covered. Only the material covered in the class will appear in Exams.
Optional: For extra practice, students may want to purchase Student Solutions Manual for the above 12th
edition text by Nancy S. Boudreau (Prentice Hall), which provides complete solutions for the oddnumbered exercise problems.
TOPICS & TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:
Chapters 1 through 3 and Mid-term Exam I

3.5 classes

Chapters 4 and 5 and Mid-term Exam II

3.5 classes

Chapters 6 through 8 and Final Exam

5 classes

2
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS:
Homework (HW) problems will be assigned but the HW papers will not be collected and not used for
grading purposes. Given the applications nature of this course, the more students practice solving problems,
the better they will become at it. Therefore, it is essential that students diligently do all the HW
assignments.

Homework
Number

Chapters
Covered

Problem Number

1-2

1.17, 1.22, 1.30, 2.6, 2.15, 2.16, 2.20, 2.28, 2.44,

2.54, 2.56, 2.63, 2.69, 2.70, 2.78, 2.79, 2.88, 2.94,
2.102, 2.108, 2.111.

3.2, 3.9, 3.14, 3.21, 3.24, 3.27, 3.32, 3.36, 3.46,

3.48, 3.56, 3.60, 3.66, 3.68, 3.69, 3.72, 3.74, 3.75.
4.18, 4.22, 4.32, 4.35, 4.48, 4.50, 4.52, 4.58, 4.67,
4.75, 4.76, 4.82, 4.94, 4.107, 4.110, 4.112, 4.114,
4.138, 4.141, 4.146, 4.149, 4.177, 4.181.
5.1, 5.3, 5.9, 5.29, 5.30, 5.32, 5.38, 5.43, 5.68, 6.8,
6.10, 6.19, 6.22, 6.32, 6.33, 6.44, 6.47, 6.49, 6.54,
6.61, 6.62, 6.63, 6.64, 6.73, 6.76, 6.78.

5-6

7.13, 7.24, 7.33, 7.42, 7.44, 7.50, 7.54, 7.64, 7.70,

7.74, 7.120, 7.122.

8.2, 8.8, 8.15, 8.18, 8.25, 8.26, 8.39, 8.40, 8.52,

8.53, 8.62, 8.70.

EXAMS:
Mid-term Exam I
Mid-term Exam II
Final Exam

Jun 5, 2014 (Thu)

Jun 17, 2014 (Tue)
July 3, 2014 (Thu)

Will cover Chapters 2-3

Will cover Chapters 4-5
Will cover Chapters 6-8

Rules for Exams:

The Exams will be closed-book. However, students may bring 1 sheet (i.e., 2 pages) of notes.
Students should bring copies of Statistical Tables and a calculator. Students are not allowed to use
statistics features on their calculators, if there are any.

During the Exams, the use of laptop computers, cell phones, and tablets such as iPad will not be
allowed.

GRADING:
Mid-term Exam I
Mid-term Exam II
Final Exam

25 Points
25 Points
50 Points

Final grade will be determined based on the total score out of 100 as follows:
Grade
A
B+
B
C+
C
D
F

Final Score
90

85 - 89
75 - 84
70 - 74
60 - 69
50 - 59
0 - 49

ON-LINE RESOURCES:
The syllabus, class-handouts, and solutions to HW problems are posted on Sakai under the Resources tab.
The access to the documents posted on Sakai is restricted to only those students who are registered for this
class. The contents of these documents are protected under the Copyright laws; therefore, you must not post
any of these course files on Internet or distribute to anyone who is not registered for this class.