Welcome to STAT 362

<TITLE>Statistical Software Packages</TITLE>
<H1>Welcome to STAT 362</H1>
<H2>Introduction to Computer Statistical Packages</H2>

Instructor:
<A HREF="http://mason.gmu.edu/~jgentle/">James Gentle</A>
<p>
If you <a href="mailto:jgentle@gmu.edu"> send email to the instructor</a>,
please put "Stat 362" in the subject line.

<p>

<HR>

<h4> Content and Objectives </h4>

This course is an introduction to the use of statistical software
packages in data analysis.   The main package to be used will be SAS&reg .
Data manipulation with SAS and other software packages will be
addressed.
The statistical topics covered include basic univariate descriptive
methods including graphics, methods of inference for univariate statistics, and
regression analysis.
<p>
The prerequisite for this course is an introductory course in statistics,
such as STAT 250, that covers descriptive statistics, the basics of 
estimation and hypothesis testing, and an introduction to 
regression analysis.
<p>
The objectives of the course are to 
to enhance students' knowledge and 
understanding of some basic statistical methods, and 
to develop students' proficiency
in the use of SAS for basic statistical analyses and for manipulating
statistical datasets.
<p>
Students taking the course should have these same objectives plus
the objective of getting credit for the course with a good grade.
<p>
If (and only if) you have the necessary prerequisite and you have these objectives
and are willing to do the necessary work to achieve them, then the course may be right
for you. 

<h4> Texts and Other Materials</h4>

The required texts for the course are
<ul>
<li> <i>Applied Statistics and the SAS Programming Language, </i> Fifth Edition,
by Ronald P. Cody and Jeffrey K. Smith.

<li> <i> The Little SAS Book, </i> Third Edition, 
by Lora D. Delwiche and Susan J. Slaughter. 
This book will be used for
some assigned readings, but its main use will be as a reference for
writing SAS programs.
<br>
The online documentation of the SAS system will also be an important
resource. 
</ul>
<p>

Parts of most of the lectures will be available online,  
but you are expected
to attend class and are 
<font color=red>
responsible for material covered in class
whether or not the material is available online.  
</font>
You may get
notes from other students for material missed whenever it is not
possible for you to attend a class.  This is your responsiblity;
not the instructor's.

<h4> Accessing SAS </h4>

SAS is a very large and expensive software system consisting of a base
module and a number of separate packages.  Most usage of SAS is over networked
computers in a business, an educational institution, or a government agency.
Although the full SAS system can be run on a standalone PC, most personal
copies of SAS consist of only some of the modules and/or of stripped-down
modules.

<p>
SAS software is available on the PCs in several computer labs on
campus, including those in the Johnson Center and Innovation Hall.
<p>
There is a version of the SAS software called SAS&reg Learning Edition.
The current version can be purchased at the GMU Patriot Store for $125.  It
has all of the abilities required for the homework in this course, but we
may occasionally discuss functions that are not included in the Learning Edition.


<h4> Assignments and Grading</h4>


There will be weekly programming assignments.
<br>
<font color=red>
The most important thing is to keep up with the assignments.
</font>
<p>
There is no "extra credit" work that a student can do
toward the end of the semester to make up for several weeks of doing nothing. 
Keeping up from the beginning is especially important for students
who "need the course to graduate".  I treat students as responsible adults.
<p>
Performance on the assignments will constitute 20% of the total grade
in the course.  The grades on two assignments will be dropped;
therefore, no assignments will be accepted late.  You are allowed to
work with other students and to receive help from any available source
on your assignments, but what you submit must be your own work.
<p>
There will be a final exam and three quizzes.
The grade on one quiz will be dropped;
therefore, no make-up quizzes will be given.
Work on the quizzes and exam will be done alone and in accordance with
the Honor Code.
<br>
Performance on the quizzes will constitute 50% of the total grade
in the course.
<br>
Performance on the exam will constitute 30% of the total grade
in the course.
<br>
The quizzes and the exam will be closed-book, closed-notes, and
closed-computer.
<p>
<p>
<h4>
<A HREF="07s/index.htm
">
Spring 2007 Schedule and Assignments
</A>
</h4>