AP Statistics Course Syllabus

Course Description:
Per the College Board, the AP Statistics course is equivalent to a one-semester,
introductory, non-calculus-based college course in statistics. The course introduces
students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing
conclusions from data. There are four themes in the AP Statistics course: exploring data,
sampling and experimentation, anticipating patterns, and statistical inference. Students
use technology, investigations, problem solving, and writing as they build conceptual
understanding. The course will prepare students for the students for the AP exam in
May. This course is offered during the spring semester, one period per day for 90
minutes each day.

Primary textbook:
Starnes, Daren S., Dan Yates, and David S. Moore. The Practice of Statistics (4th Edition).
New York: W.H. Freeman & Co./BFW

Technology:
 All students have access to a TI-84+ calculator for use in class and on the AP
exam. If a student needs access to a calculator at home, one may be purchased
or may be checked out from the teacher on a day-to-day basis.
 All students will have access to Microsoft Excel for use in the classroom.
 All students will have access to other various online applets and websites.

Course Outline:
(organized by chapters and outline provided in the primary textbook Teacher Edition)

Chapter 1: Exploring Data (Total Time: 5 days)

 Identify the individuals and variables in a set of data.
 Classify variables as categorical or quantitative.
 Identify units of measurement for a quantitative variable.
 Make a bar graph of the distribution of a categorical variable or, in general, to
compare related quantities.
 Recognize when a pie chart can and cannot be used.
  Identify what makes some graphs deceptive.
 From a two-way table of counts, answer questions involving marginal and
conditional distributions.
 Describe the relationship between two categorical variables by computing
appropriate conditional distributions.
 Construct bar graphs to display the relationship between two categorical
variables.
 Make a dotplot or stemplot to display small sets of data.
 Describe the overall pattern (shape, center, spread) of a distribution and identify
any major departures from the pattern (like outliers).
 Identify the shape of a distribution from a dotplot, stemplot, or histogram as
roughly symmetric or skewed. Identify the number of modes.
 Make a histogram with a reasonable choice of classes.
 Interpret histograms.
 Calculate and interpret measures of center (mean, median).
 Calculate and interpret measures of spread (IQR).
 Identify outliers using the 1.5 IQR rule.
 Make a boxplot.
 Calculate and interpret measures of spread (standard deviation).
 Select appropriate measures of center and spread.
 Use appropriate graphs and numerical summaries to compare distributions of
quantitative variables.

Chapter 2: Modeling Distributions of Data (Total Time: 4 days)

 Use percentiles to locate individual values within distributions of data.
 Interpret a cumulative relative frequency graph.
 Find the standardized value (z-score) of an observation. Interpret z-scores in
context.
 Describe the effect of adding, subtracting, multiplying by, or dividing by a
constant on the shape, center, and spread of a distribution of data.
 Using the Empirical Rule.
 Use the standard Normal distribution to calculate the proportion of values in a
specified interval.
 Use the standard Normal distribution to determine a z-score from a percentile.
 Use Table A to find the percentile of a value from any Normal distribution and
the value that corresponds to a given percentile.
 Make an appropriate graph to determine if a distribution is bell-shaped.

Chapter 3: Describing Relationships (Total time: 4 days)

 Identify explanatory and response variables in situations where one variable
helps to explain or influences the other.
 Make a scatterplot to display the relationship between two quantitative
variables.
  Describe the direction, form, and strength of the overall pattern of a scatterplot.
 Recognize outliers in a scatterplot.
 Know the basic properties of correlation.
 Calculate and interpret correlation.
 Explain how the correlation r is influenced by extreme observations.
 Interpret the slope and y intercept of a least-squares regression line.
 Use the least-squares regression line to predict y for a given x.
 Calculate and interpret residuals.
 Use technology to find a least-squares regression line.
 Find the slope and intercept of the least-squares regression line from the means
and standard deviations of x and y and their correlation.
 Construct and interpret residual plots to assess if a linear model is appropriate.
 Use the standard deviation of the residuals to assess how well the line fits the
data.
 Use r2 to assess how well the line fits the data.
 Explain why association doesn’t imply causation.
 Recognize how the slope, y intercept, standard deviation of the residuals, and r 2
are influenced by extreme observations.

Chapter 4: Designing Studies (Total Time: 5 days)

 Identify the population and sample in a sample survey.
 Identify voluntary response samples and convenience samples. Explain how
these bad sampling methods can lead to bias.
 Describe how to use Table D to select a simple random sample (SRS).
 Distinguish a simple random sample from a stratified random sample or cluster
sample.
 Explain how undercoverage, nonresponse, and question wording can lead to bias
in a sample survey.
 Distinguish between an observational study and an experiment.
 Explain how a lurking variable in an observational study can lead to confounding.
 Identify the experimental units or subjects, explanatory variables (factors),
treatments, and response variables in an experiment.
 Describe a completely randomized design for an experiment.
 Explain why random assignment is an important experimental design principle.
 Describe how to avoid the placebo effect in an experiment.
 Explain the meaning and the purpose of blinding in an experiment.
 Explain in context what “statistically significant” means.
 Distinguish between a completely randomized design and a randomized block
design.
 Know when a matched pairs experimental design is appropriate and how to
implement such a design.
 Determine the scope of inference for a statistical study.
  Evaluate whether a statistical study has been carried out in an ethical manner.

Chapter 5: Probability (Total Time: 4 days)

 Use simulation to model chance behavior.
 Describe a probability model for a chance process.
 Use basic probability rules, including the complement rule and the addition rule
for mutually exclusive events.
 Use a Venn diagram to model a chance process involving two events.
 Use the general addition rule to calculate P(A or B).
 When appropriate, use a tree diagram to describe chance behavior.
 Use the general multiplication rule to solve probability questions.
 Determine whether two events are independent.
 Find the probability that an event occurs using a two-way table.
 When appropriate, use the multiplication rule for independent events to
compute probabilities.
 Compute conditional probabilities.

Chapter 6: Random Variables (Total Time: 5 days)

 Use a probability distribution to answer questions about possible values of a
random variable.
 Calculate the mean of a discrete random variable.
 Interpret the mean of a random variable.
 Calculate the standard deviation of a discrete random variable.
 Interpret the standard deviation of a random variable.
 Describe the effects of transforming a random variable by adding or subtracting
a constant and multiplying or dividing by a constant.
 Find the mean and standard deviation of the sum or difference of independent
random variables.
 Determine whether two random variables are independent.
 Find probabilities involving the sum or difference of independent Normal
random variables.
 Determine whether the conditions for a binomial random variable are met.
 Compute and interpret probabilities involving binomial distributions.
 Calculate the mean and standard deviation of a binomial random variable.
Interpret these values in context.
 Find probabilities involving geometric random variables.

Chapter 7: Sampling Distributions (Total Time: 4 days)

 Distinguish between a parameter and a statistic.
 Understand the definition of a sampling distribution.
 Distinguish between population distribution, sampling distribution, and the
distribution of sample data.
  Determine whether a statistic is an unbiased estimator of a population
parameter.
 Understand the relationship between sample size and the variability of an
estimator.
 Find the mean and standard deviation of the sampling distribution of a sample
proportion 𝑝̂ for an SRS of size n from a population having proportion p of
successes.
 Check whether the 10% and Normal conditions are met in a given setting.
 Use Normal approximation to calculate probabilities involving 𝑝̂ .
 Use the sampling distribution of ˆp to evaluate a claim about a population
proportion.
 Find the mean and standard deviation of the sampling distribution of a sample
mean 𝑥̅ from an SRS of size n.
 Calculate probabilities involving a sample mean 𝑥̅ when the population
distribution is Normal.
 Explain how the shape of the sampling distribution of 𝑥̅ is related to the shape of
the population distribution.
 Use the central limit theorem to help find probabilities involving a sample mean
𝑥̅ .

Chapter 8: Estimating with Confidence (Total Time: 4 days)

 Interpret a confidence level.
 Interpret a confidence interval in context.
 Understand that a confidence interval gives a range of plausible values for the
parameter.
 Understand why each of the three inference conditions—Random, Normal, and
Independent—is important.
 Explain how practical issues like nonresponse, undercoverage, and response bias
can affect the interpretation of a confidence interval.
 Construct and interpret a confidence interval for a population proportion.
 Determine critical values for calculating a confidence interval using a table or
your calculator.
 Carry out the steps in constructing a confidence interval for a population
proportion.
 Determine the sample size required to obtain a level C confidence interval for a
population proportion with a specified margin of error.
 Understand how the margin of error of a confidence interval changes with the
sample size and the level of confidence C.
 Construct and interpret a confidence interval for a population mean.
 Carry out the steps in constructing a confidence interval for a population mean.
 Determine sample statistics from a confidence interval.

Chapter 9: Testing a Claim (Total Time: 4 days)

  State correct hypotheses for a significance test about a population proportion or
mean.
 Interpret P-values in context.
 Interpret a Type I error and a Type II error in context.
 Understand the relationship between the significance level of a test, P(Type II
error), and power.
 Check conditions for carrying out a test about a population proportion.
 If conditions are met, conduct a significance test about a population proportion.
 Use a confidence interval to draw a conclusion for a two-sided test about a
population proportion.
 Check conditions for carrying out a test about a population mean.
 If conditions are met, conduct a one-sample t test about a population mean 𝜇.
 Use a confidence interval to draw a conclusion for a two-sided test about a
population mean.
 Recognize paired data and use one-sample t procedures to perform significance
tests for such data.

Chapter 10: Comparing Two Populations or Groups (Total Time: 4 days)

 Describe the characteristics of the sampling distribution of 𝑝
̂1 − 𝑝
̂.2
 Calculate probabilities using the sampling distribution of 𝑝
̂1 − 𝑝
̂.
2
 Determine whether the conditions for performing inference are met.
 Construct and interpret a confidence interval to compare two proportions.
 Perform a significance test to compare two proportions.
 Interpret the results of inference procedures in a randomized experiment.
 Describe the characteristics of the sampling distribution of ̂
𝑥1 − 𝑥
̂.
2
 Calculate probabilities using the sampling distribution of ̂
𝑥1 − 𝑥
̂.
2
 Use two-sample t procedures to compare two means based on summary
statistics.
 Use two-sample t procedures to compare two means from raw data.
 Interpret standard computer output for two-sample t procedures.
 Perform a significance test to compare two means.
 Check conditions for using two-sample t procedures in a randomized
experiment.
 Interpret the results of inference procedures in a randomized experiment.
 Determine the proper inference procedure to use in a given setting.

Chapter 11: Inference for Distributions of Categorical Data (Total Time: 3 days)
 Know how to compute expected counts, conditional distributions, and
contributions to the chi-square statistic.
 Check the Random, Large sample size, and Independent conditions before
performing a chi-square test.
  Use a chi-square goodness-of- fit test to determine whether sample data are
consistent with a specified distribution of a categorical variable.
 Examine individual components of the chi-square statistic as part of a follow-up
analysis.
 Use a chi-square test for homogeneity to determine whether the distribution of
a categorical variable differs for several populations or treatments.
 Interpret computer output for a chi-square test based on a two-way table.
 Examine individual components of the chi-square statistic as part of a follow-up
analysis.
 Show that the two-sample z test for comparing two proportions and the chi-
square test for a 2-by-2 two-way table give equivalent results.
 Use a chi-square test of association/independence to determine whether there
is convincing evidence of an association between two categorical variables.
 Interpret computer output for a chi-square test based on a two-way table.
 Examine individual components of the chi-square statistic as part of a follow-up
analysis.
 Distinguish between the three types of chi-square tests.

Chapter 12: More about Regression (Total Time: 4 days)

 Check conditions for performing inference about the slope 𝛽 of the population
regression line.
 Interpret computer output from a least-squares regression analysis.
 Construct and interpret a confidence interval for the slope 𝛽 of the population
regression line.
 Perform a significance test about the slope 𝛽 of a population regression line.
 Use transformations involving powers and roots to achieve linearity for a
relationship between two variables.
 Make predictions from a least-squares regression line involving transformed
data.
 Use transformations involving logarithms to achieve linearity for a relationship
between two variables.
 Make predictions from a least-squares regression line involving transformed
data.
 Determine which of several transformations does a better job of producing a
linear relationship.

Project:
Students will complete a project after the AP exam that will account for their exam
grade, which is 20% of their final semester grade. Students may pick a topic from any
covered in the course. Students will submit a proposal that must be approved by the
teacher. After the proposal has been approved, students will complete their research
and present their topic on a tri-fold poster along with a prepared oral presentation.
Grading Policy:
Tests: 70%
Quizzes: 20%
Homework: 10%
A major test will occur after two consecutive chapters have been taught. There will be
at least one quiz per section. Homework will be taken up in random intervals to ensure
that students are completing it and asking questions when necessary.

Tutoring
Tutoring will be offered twice a week during designated slots according to the teacher’s
Smart Lunch schedule. After school help sessions are available upon student request.