Online Syllabus

SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
BC 303: Statistics

5 Credit Hours
Effective: Oct 2022

BC 303: Statistics

Faculty

Access to the Internet is required.

All written assignments must be in Microsoft-Word-compatible formats.

Copyright 2008 by City University of Seattle

All rights reserved.
Faculty Name: Mgr. Monika Schmidtová
Contact Information: mschmidtova@vsm.sk

Course Description
BC303, Statistics focuses on the usefulness and limitations of statistical processes and their present day
applications. Topics include: descriptive statistics, probability theory and distributions, sampling,
hypothesis testing, regression, and correlation models. Students will focus on problem formulation,
technique selection and results interpretation. It is strongly recommended that College Math be taken
prior to this course.

REQUIRED RESOURCES
Lind, D. A., Marchal, W.G, Wathen, S.A. (2003). Basic Statistics for Business and Economics (4th ed.).
McGraw-Hill.

Whitaker, A. (2010). Research and APA style guide. Bratislava, Slovakia: City University of Seattle.
Available online at http://www.vsm.sk/en/students/academic-support/ or for purchase in the CU
Slovakia library.

CITYU Learning Goals

The content of this course addresses the following CityU Learning Goals:

 Critical Thinking;
 Lifelong Learning.

Program Context
The content of this course aligns with the following program outcomes:

 Recommend improvements that align with the company’s strategy, goals, and culture;
 Integrate foundational knowledge of business functions;
 Access and evaluate relevant information to guide business decisions;
 Deliver powerful presentations and produce examples of effective business writing for diverse
audiences.

Course Outcomes
In this course, learners will:

 Formulate a Research Plan for statistical investigation;

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  Critically evaluate statistical data;
 Apply statistical problem solving techniques;
 Present graphical interpretation of data;
 Summarize statistical investigation findings;
 Determine projections and recommendations based on statistical evaluation.

Core Concepts, Knowledge, and Skills

 Hypothesis statements;
 Sampling and sampling design;
 Probability;
 Measures of Central Tendency;
 Correlation analysis;
 Linear regression analysis;
 Hypothesis testing;
 ANOVA;
 Frequency distributions;
 Data ethics.

Overview of Course Grading

The grade you receive for the course will be derived using City University of Seattle’s decimal grading
system, based on the following:

Overview of Required Assignments % of Final Grade

Student Introductory Assignment 0%
Research Plan 5%
Research Project 11%
4 online homework assignments (OHW) 28%
Midterm Exam 28%
Final Exam 28%
TOTAL 100%

Specifics of Course Assignments

Student Introductory Assignment
City University/Vysoká škola manažmentu requires that you submit a Student Introductory Assignment
(SIA) at BrightSpace (BS). This SIA must be completed during the first week of your course. The SIA
consists of introducing yourself in the Discussion Forum titled: Student Introductory Assignment. It is
designed to begin the online class experience by letting us know you are in class and facilitating

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interaction. It is due at the end of the first week. Even though this assignment is not graded, it is
required in order for you to continue your course. Your instructor will notify CU/VSM at the end of the
first week as to whether or not you completed your SIA.

Research Plan
You will develop a brief research plan for the final research project. You should include within this
research plan: the research question and hypothesis statement, the objectives of the project, proposed data
gathering plan and/or sampling methodology, a draft of survey questions if a survey or questionnaire is
going to be implemented for the project, and a description of studied variables.

The plan must be posted on BS by Oct 21. Discussing your idea with the instructor in advance is strongly
recommended. Concrete questions you have to answer will be posted on BS at the beginning of W3.

Grading Criteria for Research Plan

Research question clearly defines the scope and parameters of 30%

the research project. Project objectives are clearly defined and
well framed within the overall report.
Clearly defined population (-s), studied variable (/s), and 30%
units/subjects of population.
Data collection methodology is clear and well supported with 30%
references
Proper grammar, spelling, syntax, punctuation, and style. 10%
Appropriate reference methods.

TOTAL 100%

Research Project
The final research project will be the culmination of the work that you have put into the research project
throughout the duration of the course. You should include within the final research project: a statement
of the research question which outlines the initial hypothesis statement, project objectives, sampling
methodology, statistical tools used, all data analysis, summary of the data analysis, presentation of visual
aids and graphs, conclusion, recommendations and projections based on the evaluation of the data
including identification of further areas of study. Detailed instructions will be posted on the BS in week 5,
after submitting a data collection together with a midterm. The research project must be uploaded on
VSM uploader by Dec 2.

Grading Criteria for Research Project

Clearly defines project objectives and well articulates how those 10%
objectives have been met or not met.
Data collection methodology is clearly stated and discussed. 10%
Strengths vs. deficiencies of chosen method are clear.
(5% for submitting a data collection together with the midterm)

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 Three or more statistical tools are utilized and well analyzed. 40%
Explanation regarding how the tools contribute to the overall
hypothesis is clear.
Three or more visual aids are utilized and well explained. 25%
Graphs & charts contribute to the overall argument of the paper
Statistically proved conclusion and future projections. 5%
Proper grammar, spelling, syntax, punctuation, and style. 10%
Resources selected are appropriate for the purpose of this work
and reflect substantial research. APA citation style is used with
no errors.

TOTAL 100%

4 Online Homework Assignments

In weeks 2,4,7, and 8 you will work out a short task related to the material covered in the given week and
post your clear answer on the Brighspace. These tasks will be based on a calculation of a problem chosen
from a given set. The number of given tasks will be equal to the number of students in the section. Each
task can be chosen/posted only once; thus, each student must check all previous postings and the last
student must calculate/post the last remaining task.

In mentioned weeks, a list of all the problems will be posted on Monday morning. You must post your
calculation by Friday midnight. Complete calculations must be posted on time; otherwise, they will be
graded with 0%. No reservations are possible, all attachments must be attached together with a message,
empty posts without calculations will be deleted. No make-ups for these will be given.

Grading Criteria for Online Homework

Completion of homework - Each mistake minus 15%
- In case task consists of several
calculations the proportional
grading will be applied

Midterm and Final Exam

You will take a midterm and a final exam in the course to reinforce the course materials. The exams will
test your ability to utilize statistical terminology as well as the identification and application of proper
statistical tools for a given statistical problem. The midterm will cover the first five weeks of the course,
the final exam will deal with the material of weeks 5-9. Each exam will be scheduled for max of 100
minutes (in case Proctor Centre is working again) or for 60 minutes in case online exam is conducted. All
formulas will be provided by the instructor and students must have the calculators (no cell phones). The
official textbook is required for online exams. The exams cannot be combined together.

Students can discuss any problems referring to these on the BS in advance. Complete calculations will be
checked, not just final results, and students will get partial credit for following the right steps.
The midterm is planned for Thursday in W5, the final exam for Thursday W10, in evening hours, 7PM or
8PM of CET. However, those dates are subject to change depending on the official CU schedule that
should avoid any overlaps.

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Grading Criteria for Examination
Clear demonstration of ability to employ course concepts, 20%
methods, and techniques
Logical and sequential development of results 30%
Appropriate depth of analysis 20%
Appropriate organization and formation 10%
Successful problem completion 20%

TOTAL 100%

Course Policies
Late Assignments
There is no tolerance for late assignments.

Participation
Students are expected to be actively engaged in a discussion or other activities. Active engagement
means contributing substantive, thoughtful and reflective responses. For online classes, students must
submit at least one quality posting, response to another’s posting, or other assigned work on three
separate days during the school week (Monday through Sunday). Additionally, students must post their
initial responses during the first three days of the week, and their responses to other students’ postings
during the last four days of the week.

Professional Writing
All assignments for this course should be of professional quality. The writing should always take into
consideration the intended audience. Handwritten work will not be accepted.

This course requires you to use the American Psychological Association (APA) style in preparing any
required research papers, or any written work where other sources are used. References should be cited
for all facts, ideas, conclusions, and opinions that are not your own.
A proper title page should preface all written assignments, unless otherwise stated. The title page should
include: your name, the title of the paper, the name and number of the course, your course start date, the
date submitted, and the name of the instructor. Your work should be typed or word-processed on white 8
½ by 11 inch paper. Any narrative sections should be double-spaced. Some assignments many require
that your work be prepared on a computer spreadsheet.

Other course policies

 All questions related to covered material must be posted on the BlackBoard in an appropriate
folder.
 Use email communication only for private issues.

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  If necessary, the instructor will use students’ vsm email accounts, name.surname@vsm-student.sk
 If a student cannot attend the exam due to any serious reason, he/she has to contact the instructor
in advance, any late excuses will not be tolerated.
 The only assignment that must be uploaded is the Research Project.

University Policies
You are responsible for understanding and adhering to all of City University of Seattle’s academic
policies. The most current versions of these policies can be found in the university catalog that is linked
from the CityU Web site.

Scholastic Honesty

Vysoká škola manažmentu / City University of Seattle (VŠM / CityU) expects each student to do his/her
own work. The University has "zero tolerance" for cheating, plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration on
assignments and papers, using "notes" during exams, submitting someone else's work as one's own,
submitting work previously submitted for another course, or facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by
others. Scholastic Honesty policy applies also to online discussions that represent a part of graded
assignments in courses. Every reference material used in discussion contributions must be cited according
to the current Research & APA Style Guide. The penalties are severe! A first offense results in a zero
grade for the course; a second offense can result in a zero grade for the course and suspension for one or
more quarters from VŠM / CityU; a third offense can result in expulsion from VŠM / CityU. The policy,
procedures and other supporting documentation may be found at
http://www.vsm.sk/us/students/scholastic-honesty/policies-procedures.

In addition to providing your work to the instructor for grading, you must also submit an electronic copy
via VŠM Uploader, unless otherwise instructed by the instructor. You will not receive a grade for
particular work until and unless you submit this electronic copy via the website
http://www.vsm.sk/us/students/on-line-center/uploader. Files should include the cover page of the work
with the student name, instructor name, course name and number, and date. File names should indicate
the type of assignment, such as “researchpaper”, “casestudy” or “ thesis”. All submitted files are
forwarded to an antiplagiarism system for a check of originality.

IMPORTANT NOTES:
- After completing all mentioned assignments student will not get any additional work in order to
increase the grade.
- Students are not allowed to use cell phones as calculators during the final exam conducted in
Proctor Centre
- Student can make up the assignment only in the case of unexpected and serious circumstances
with condition that he/she has informed the instructor personally (by e-mail or phone) in advance.
Later excuses will not be accepted.
- All due dates are in CET, if staying abroad in different time zone, you have to adjust to CET
- Students must write the finals in week 10. Earlier finals are against CU/VSM policy.
- The BS conversation is not the same as FB communication; thus, keep it polite and professional.
- The course grades are officially due on Dec 14.

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PROCTORED EXAMINATIONS
BEWARE: As of Fall 2008, the school applies a change in the proctoring policies - the students
residing in Slovakia cannot have an external proctor anymore.
If you are a student residing outside Slovakia and you cannot take the exams in Bratislava (or Trenčín),
you must find a proctor (e.g. local library head, local university instructor), fill out the Proposed Proctor
Approval Request Form (http://www.vsm.sk/files/studenti/Proctor-Form-CU.pdf), and submit the form to your
Associate Dean for approval before Friday, Week 3. Also notify your instructor that you have submitted a
proctor form. Proctor forms submitted after the deadline will not be accepted and you will be required to
take the exam with your instructor.
All exams proctored abroad will be held on the same day as here in Trencin and the proctor must
be able to send your exam back to me on the same day. Please, ask your proctor to contact me as
the first otherwise I cannot send any materials.

Support Services
Disability Resources
If you are a student with a disability and you require an accommodation, please contact the Disability
Resource Office or your associate dean as soon as possible. For additional information, please see the
section in the university catalog titled Students with Special Needs under Student Rights &
Responsibilities.

Library Services
In order to help you succeed in this course, you have access to library services and resources 24 hours a
day, seven days a week. CityU librarians can help you formulate search strategies and locate materials
that are relevant to your coursework. For help, contact a CityU librarian through the Ask a Librarian
service. To find library resources, click on the Library link in the My.CityU portal.
The CU Slovakia library home page is at http://library.cutn.sk/. For additional help, visit the Slovakia
library or submit your question in the Contact Us section of the Slovakia library’s web site.

RECOMMENDED SUPPLEMENTARY RESOURCES

As a City University of Seattle/Vysoká škola manažmentu student, you have access to library resources
regardless of where and how you are taking this class. Visit the library menu in the My.CityU portal at
https://my.cityu.edu, and the CU Slovakia library home page at http://library.cutn.sk/.

COURSE SCHEDULE – BC303 STATISTICS

COURSE TOPICS, ASSIGNMENTS, AND LEARNING READINGS

SESSION ACTIVITIES
Topics: What is Statistics? Describing data: Fr.Distributions and Chapters 1 and 2
1 Graphic Presentation, Introduction to Sampling, Formulation of a

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 Research Question

Assignment Due: SIA (Sunday)

Topics: Describing data: Numerical measures Chapter 3

2
Assignments Due: OHW1

Topics: A Survey of Probability Concepts Chapter 4

3
Assignments Due: Research Plan – Oct 21

Topics: Discrete Probability Distributions Chapter 5

4
Assignment Due: OHW2

Topics: The Normal Probability Distribution Chapter 6

5
submitting a data collection on BB

MIDTERM…planned for Thursday, Nov 3, 19.00CET

Topics: Central Limit Theorem Chapter 7

6

Topics: Estimation and Confidence Intervals Chapter 8

7
Assignment due: OHW3

Topics: One-sample and Two-Sample Tests of Hypothesis Chapters 9 and 10

8
Assignments Due: OHW4

Topics: Linear regression and Correlation Chapter 12

9
Assignments Due: Research Project – Dec 2

10 FINAL EXAM …online…planned for Thursday, Dec 8,

19.00CET

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