Where do I take this statistics course?
Technically the course is Math. 115 at the College of Marin. However, there
are no on-site attendance requirements for this class. Wherever you have access
to the Internet and a personal computer is where you can do the work.
What if I have questions or need help?
The virtual classroom gives you access to other students and the professor.
You can also e-mail questions or discuss material by telephone. If you are
local to the campus you may drop in during the professor's office hours.
What materials will I need for the class?
You will be required to buy a User's Guide for ALEKS, a text book and have
statistical software or a statistical calculator (one independent of the computer
might be most useful but is not required, and it does not need to be a graphing
calculator). Finally, it is highly recommended that you purchase the
CD-ROM, ActivStats (it can be bought as a package with the text in the College
Bookk Store). The CD supplements the texts with audio-visual presentations,
statistical simulations, and includes a full working version of the statistical
software Data Desk by Data Description, Inc. Registered students will receive
more specifics on obtaining the materials; the Course Info. page has more
details, too.
How am I graded in the course?
Your final grade is based on how many topics in the course you complete.
The Course Info. page has the complete grading scale. It is
important to remember that the number of correct answers does not determine
your grade, but rather the number of topics completed. You can move
on to new topics only when you have the necessary knowledge to learn them.
You demonstrate this knowledge by taking assessment tests in the ALEKS
system.
Where do I take the tests?
The tests, or assessments, are given on an honor system. They are open
note, open book, but you cannot get help from any person. The ALEKS
system generates the assessment questions, and they are different for each
and every student. Furthermore, each student may be learning different
material than other students. What you need to learn and upon what
you will be assessed is different for each individual and the ALEKS system
will guide you through the process and the course.
Can I see what this ALEKS system is all about?
You certainly can. You can take a quick guided tour as a preview at
this site location and if you have more questions you can go to the ALEKS Frequently
Asked Questions.
What does the course cover?
The syllabus on the Syllabus
page contains the specific content.
How long does the course last?
All work must be completed by the end of instruction for the
semester, approximately 15 weeks. The Registrars Office or the College of Marin Home Page
has the exact starting and ending dates of instruction for each semester.
Since the material is self-paced, it is possible to finish the course
before the end of the semester. Your grade is based on the number of
topics completed.
What credits do I earn if I pass the class?
Math. 115, Introduction to Probability and Statistics, is a 4 semester
unit course. The units are transferable to most any other academic institution.
They fulfill the lower division statistics requirement for most majors and
meet the quantitative reasoning entrance requirement as well. In California
the units have been accepted by the University of California at Berkeley,
UCLA, Stanford and California State University at San Francisco, to name a
few.
How do I sign up for the class?
All registration is handled through the Registrars
Office of the College of Marin. The paperwork can by obtained via this
site (see the Register button). Processing, depending on your status and geographic
location, can take from one to five days. All questions about fees may be
directed to this site as well.
What if I still have questions?
Feel free to contact the instructor at ira.lansing@marin.edu .