Holy Cross Mathematics and Computer Science
MONT 106N -- Identifying Patterns
Syllabus and Schedule
-
Course syllabus (.pdf)
- Detailed course
schedule, revised October 8 --
Note: This schedule pertains only to our section's class meetings.
- Montserrat Natural World Cluster Common Events
- Campus Arboretum Tour
- Introductory Talk: "Landscape of the Holy Cross Campus," Fr. Anthony Kuzniewski, S.J. at 7:30pm
on Thursday, September 17, in Seelos Theater (lower Kimball) -- mandatory event
- Walking Tour of Campus: Friday, September 18, starting at 4:00pm -- strongly recommended event
- Cluster Lecture: Dr. Frederick Grinnell, 7:00pm on Tuesday, November 10, in Seelos Theater -- mandatory event
- Cluster Lecture: Prof. Michael McCormick, Climate Change and the Fall of the Roman Empire: Monday, November 23 at 4:30pm in Rehm Library -- recommended event
Examples, Class Notes, Etc.
- Fat-tail distribution example, October 2, 2009.
- Study questions on Grinnell, Everyday Practice of Science,
part I
- Study questions on Grinnell, Everyday Practice of Science,
part II
- Information about Midterm, and solutions for practice problems.
- Solutions for actual midterm exam.
- The correlation coefficient and its geometric meaning, October 21, 2009.
- Correlation example, October 23, 2009.
- Regression example, October 30, 2009.
- Regression for data analysis class November 9, 2009.
- Problem Set 5 selected solutions, November 16, 2009.
- Solutions for final exam, December 18, 2009.
Assignments
- Problem Set 1 -- From Freedman, Pisani, Purves: Review Exercises p. 24-27/1, 4--12.
Due: 9:00 am on Friday, September 11.
Please use MS Word or equivalent software to prepare
your answers and submit them by email as attached Word .doc files (or .pdf if you prefer)
to little@mathcs.holycross.edu.
Note: These questions will require thought first, and writing later.
Write up your responses in complete English sentences. Be brief and to the
point -- a short paragraph for each question will suffice. Some questions
might draw on background facts or ``general knowledge'' that we have not discussed
in class. If you do look up things in the process of formulating your answer,
please include a reference to outside sources you have used. For web pages,
give the full URL (web address) and the date consulted.
- Discussion 1 -- histograms, September 11.
- Discussion 2 -- averages and SD's, September 21.
- Problem Set 2 -- From Freedman, Pisani, Purves:
- Review Exercises p.50-55/2, 3, 4, 8, 11, 12.
- Review Exercises p.74-76/1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 12.
- Additional Essay: Taking into account Fr. Kuzniewski's
talk about the history of the campus and your observations on
the walking tour, write a 1 or 2 page essay responding to some or
all of the following questions.
- How does the campus connect with "the natural world?" Is
the campus a "natural" space?
How would you define those terms
in the first place?
- Do you think there has been
an underlying symbolism (or perhaps better,
an intended meaning, expressed in visual form)
that has guided the construction of the buildings and the
campus at Holy Cross? (You might consider the buildings
individually, or the campus as a whole; say which you
are thinking of.) Try to articulate what you think
that underlying symbolism is by citing some examples,
or say why you do not see one.
It is not necessary (or desirable) to consult outside sources for this one. Only
"make it your own" and write carefully and correctly.
Due: 9:00am on Friday, September 25. Please do the mathematical problems from
the textby
hand on paper. For the short answer questions, again think before
writing, and formulate your answers as complete English sentences. For the
essay, prepare your response as a Word document and submit by email (as on Problem
Set 1).
- Practice with the normal curve area table, September 25.
- Measurement "lab" from class on September 30.
- Discussion 3 from class on October 5.
- Problem Set 3 -- From Freedman, Pisani, Purves:
- Review Exercises p. 93-95/1--11.
- Special Review Exercises p. 105-108/1--4, 8, 10, 11, 13.
Due: 9:00am on Friday, October 9. Same directions as Problem Set 2.
- Paper 1 -- Due: Monday, October 26.
- Problem Set 4 -- From Freedman, Pisani, Purves:
- Review Exercises p. 134-139/1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9.
- Review Exercises p. 153-157/5, 6, 9.
Due: 9:00am on Friday, October 30. Same directions as Problem Set 2.
- Paper 1 Rewrites Due: Friday, November 6. Also for that day,
please write up and submit two questions to pose to Frederick Grinnell.
- Problem Set 5 -- From Freedman, Pisani, Purves:
- Review Exercises p. 176-178/2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9.
- Review Exercises p. 198-201/3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12.
Due: 9:00am on Friday, November 13. Same directions as Problem Set 2.
- Regression Lab -- writeups due: Friday, November 20.
(The Excel spreadsheets mentioned in the lab assignment are being sent separately
by email to all students in the class.)
- Problem Set 6 -- From Freedman, Pisani, Purves:
- Review Exercises p. 234-235/3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12.
Due: 9:00am on Wednesday, December 2. Same directions as Problem Set 2.
- Paper 2 -- Due: Monday, December 7 (by email).
Information and Announcements
- Reading Period/Exam Week Office Hours:
- Wednesday, December 9: 2pm - 4pm
- Thursday, December 10: 2pm - 4pm
- Friday, December 11: 1pm - 3pm
- Monday, December 14: 10am - 12 noon
- Tuesday, December 15: 1pm - 2:30pm
- Wednesday, December 16: 1pm - 2:30pm
- Thursday, December 17: 10am - 12 noon
- Final exam: Thursday, December 17, 2:30pm - 5:30pm, in
Stein 307 (our regular room). Review sheet
for final,
and solutions to practice problems.
- Review for final and class dinner -- Mulledy large social room
starting at 6:00pm on Tuesday, December 15.
Related Links
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Last modified: December 18, 2009