Advanced Quantitative Methods

Dale Easley

Syllabus

Spring, 2014

Advanced Quantitative Methods assumes familiarity with basic statistics and use of Excel. However, this isn't math class, per se. Instead, it is an Environmental Science course that focuses on the use of quantitative data to improve our ability to think. Particularly, we seek to make wise decisions about environmental management and to be able to use and present scientific evidence to support our decisions.

In order to achieve these objectives, the course will have four tests (15% each), a presentation (10%), a short paper on a public meeting (5%), a book review (5%), weekly assignments (20%). The purpose of the tests and exam will be to evaluate your grasp of the book-based material covered class. The purpose of the weekly assignments will be to develop your ability to analyze, interpret, and present data.

The text which we will use is Using Statistics to Understand the Environment. by Wheater and Cooke.
After calculating your average with the above weightings, letter grades will be assigned as follows:

This syllabus, assignments, review questions for the tests, and supporting materials are available on the web. Google Dale Easley or go to at

In order to do well in this course, you will need to do the following things:

• Attend class and turn in assignments on time. Generally, lectures are as important as readings from the text. The lectures will highlight important points from the text and incorporate additional material. Missing class or turning in late assignments more than three times will result in your administrative withdrawal from the course.

• Do assignments on time. Any problems with turning things in should be discussed before the assignment is due. Except in rare cases, I will not accept late assignments, T and if I do, they will be penalized at least 10% per day. As stated above, three late assignments results in your removal from the course.

• Use the websites linked from Moodle.

• Come see me if you need help. I have office hours on Monday and Tuesday afternoons, 3:00-5:00pm, Goldthorpe 104. If the office hours do not fit your schedule, call for an appointment, 589-3639 or email me at deasley@dbq.edu.

• Be enthusiastic. I hope you'll enjoy this course. The environment is a hot topic (no pun intended), and there's plenty to learn.

Course Administrative Information

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this semester you should be able to do the following:

• Design and analyze a field-based experiment,
• Estimate a population based on field data, and
• Make meaningful predictions based on simple differential equations.
• Engage in serious and quality discussions about character and ethics, especially as pertains to stewardship of the environment.

Attendance:

So that you may most efficiently achieve the learning goals of the course, your presence at all class sessions is necessary. Knowing that we all sometimes have good reasons for falling short of this expectation, I have instituted the following attendance policy: absences from class or late assignments will lead to your administrative withdrawal after you have accumulated three.

Cheating:

Read carefully the section on Academic Dishonesty in the UD Student Handbook. You are responsible for adhering to the University's standards for honesty in your academic work.

Academic Success Center:

The Academic Success Center is located on the second floor of Myers Library. I urge you to make use of this service provided free of charge by the University.

Subject to Change Clause:

This syllabus, course calendar and other attending documents are subject to change during the semester.

Americans with Disability Act (ADA) Statement:

A student who has a disability that might affect his or her performance in this course should consult with the instructor and the campus ADA compliance office, in confidence, by the second class session. For assistance, please see the Academic Success Center, 2nd floor, Myers Library.