Times and Places

Instructor

Teaching Assistant

Textbook

Introduction to R by the R Core Team, available (free) in various formats (HTML, PDF, EPUB). (HTML is ordinary web page, EPUB is for e-book readers).

This is also installed with every installation of R. Type

help.start()
in R and when the web browser comes up click on the link for this book. This will give you the version of the book that goes with the version of R you have installed.

About the Course

Computing is Easy and Hard

Computing, including statistical computing, is so easy to learn that a lot of people just pick it up without taking a course or reading a book on the subject. Most of them don't get very good at it, but they get by, managing to do most of what they want to do, with occasional help from their friends.

Computing, including statistical computing, is so hard to learn that there are very few experts. Mastering even one computer language takes years of work. There are no courses or books that can get you to that level. It takes a lot of experience and a lot of self-guided study, which includes reading a lot of other people's code.

In this course we are just trying to get you somewhere in between beginner and expert. Call that knowledgeable user.

Don't Get Lost

Ask questions in class. If something isn't clear to you, it probably isn't clear to others either. Most questions arise because the instructor hasn't made a connection clear or has inadvertently left out an important point. Your question gives the instructor a chance to explain more clearly.

If you have difficulty with problems, ask for help from the instructor or a TA. Don't wait until just before the quiz (or worse just after) to ask for help. By then it may be too late.

Exams, also called Quizzes

There will be no exams especially no final exam. The course is over the last day of class.

Instead we are having seven quizzes which will take place on the days announced on the course home page in the usual classroom at the usual class time.

Missed Quizzes

University policy is that exams (and that includes our quizzes) can be made up for legitimate absences, such as verified illness, participation in other University-sponsored activities, jury duty, military service, religious observances. If you must miss an quiz, make arrangements in advance. Talk to the instructor before or after class or during office hours to make arrangements. If you find you will miss an quiz without having made arrangements, call the instructor (612-625-8511) or, if he is not in, call the department office (612-625-8046) and leave a message. Do this before the time of the quiz.

Incompletes

University and department policy is that "I" grades are used only when there is a small amount of unfinished work that the student can complete on his or her own before the end of the following semester, when there was a legitimate excuse why the work could not be done on time, and when arrangements have been made with the instructor as to when the work will be done. "I" grades are not given when there is a large amount of work undone and the student would need to attend the class in the next semester to learn the material.

Homework

Homework dates have been chosen and are listed on the Homework Assignments page.

The actual assignments will appear one week before they are due except for the last one, as explained on that page.

Rules for Quizzes and Homework

Office Hours

They are there for your benefit. If you are having difficulty, please come see the teaching assistant or instructor or both during office hours to get help. If you cannot come to the regularly scheduled office hours, make arrangements after the lecture or lab to see us some other time. Or you can just phone and see if we are available.

Grading

50% quizzes (all together), 50% homework (all together).

Disability Accommodations

The following statement is required by the University on all syllabuses.

The University of Minnesota views disability as an important aspect of diversity, and is committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities for all students. The Disability Resource Center (DRC) is the campus office that collaborates with students who have disabilities to provide and/or arrange reasonable accommodations.

Additional information is available on the DRC website https://diversity.umn.edu/disability/ or e-mail (drc@umn.edu) with questions.

Student Mental Health and Stress Management

The following statement is required by the University on all syllabuses.

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. University of Minnesota services are available to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus via http://www.mentalhealth.umn.edu/.

Academic Honesty and Dishonesty

School of Statistics Policy

The following statement is required by the School of Statistics on all syllabuses.

The following definition of student academic integrity and scholastic dishonesty is slightly modified from the webpage of the University's Office for Student Conduct and Academic Integrity, http://www.oscai.umn.edu:

Scholastic dishonesty means plagiarizing; cheating on assignments or examinations; engaging in unauthorized collaboration on academic work; taking, acquiring, or using test materials without faculty permission; submitting false or incomplete records of academic achievement; acting alone or in cooperation with another to falsify records or to obtain dishonestly grades, honors, awards, or professional endorsement; altering, forging, or misusing a University academic record; or fabricating or falsifying data, research procedures, or data analysis.

All School of Statistics teaching faculty are instructed to refer students who violate the policy for academic honesty and dishonesty to the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity. A student responsible for scholastic dishonesty can in addition be assigned a penalty up to and including an F or N for the course.

University of Minnesota Policy

You are expected to do your own academic work and cite sources as necessary. Failing to do so is scholastic dishonesty. Scholastic dishonesty means plagiarizing; cheating on assignments or examinations; engaging in unauthorized collaboration on academic work; taking, acquiring, or using test materials without faculty permission; submitting false or incomplete records of academic achievement; acting alone or in cooperation with another to falsify records or to obtain dishonestly grades, honors, awards, or professional endorsement; altering, forging, or misusing a University academic record; or fabricating or falsifying data, research procedures, or data analysis. (Student Conduct Code: http://regents.umn.edu/sites/regents.umn.edu/files/policies/Student_Conduct_Code.pdf). If it is determined that a student has cheated, the student may be given an F or an N for the course, and may face additional sanctions from the University. For additional information, please see: http://policy.umn.edu/education/instructorresp.

The Office for Community Standards has compiled a useful list of Frequently Asked Questions pertaining to scholastic dishonesty: https://communitystandards.umn.edu/avoid-violations/avoiding-scholastic-dishonesty. If you have additional questions, please clarify with your instructor for the course. Your instructor can respond to your specific questions regarding what would constitute scholastic dishonesty in the context of a particular class — e.g., whether collaboration on assignments is permitted, requirements and methods for citing sources, if electronic aids are permitted or prohibited during an exam.

Course Rules

See the section Rules for Quizzes and Homework above.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and/or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or academic environment in any University activity or program. Such behavior is not acceptable in the University setting. For additional information, please consult Board of Regents Policy: https://regents.umn.edu/sites/regents.umn.edu/files/policies/Sexual_Harassment_Sexual_Assault_Stalking_Relationship_Violence.pdf.

Equity, Diversity, Equal Opportunity, and Affirmative Action

The University provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs and facilities, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. For more information, please consult Board of Regents Policy: http://regents.umn.edu/sites/regents.umn.edu/files/policies/Equity_Diversity_EO_AA.pdf.