STT 646: Statistical Methods for Engineers I
Fall Quarter, 2005
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:10-5:50 p.m., 271 MM

General Course Information:  This is the first course in a two-course sequence.  The second course, STT 647, will be offered winter quarter during the same time period.  This sequence includes a basic introduction to regression, analysis of variance, factorial experiments, and the statistical software package SAS.  The course sequence will culminate with consideration of experiments involving repeated measurements and mixed models, including which include for example experiments involving repeated measurements on subjects.  Such experiments are of special interest in Human Factors Engineering. 

Instructor:  Dr. Dan Voss, Chair, Mathematics and Statistics, 120MM, 775-2785, dan.voss@wright.edu .  My homepage at www.wright.edu/~dan.voss/  includes links to SAS documentation and course information, and the course information is available directly at www.wright.edu/~dan.voss/stt646.htm 

Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays after class at 6:00 p.m., and other times as available or by appointment.  I am typically on campus during regular business hours.  However, it is helpful if I know you are coming.
  
Required Textbook:  Applied Linear Statistical Models, by Kutner, Nachtsheim, Neter and Li, Fifth Edition, Irwin, 2005.  The textbook comes with a CD containing data sets and a Student Solution Manual.

Prerequisite:  The course and textbook assume you have had an introductory course in statistical inference.  Appendix A of the text contains background material.  We will generally review such material as needed.  Programming experience is certainly helpful.

SAS software:  We will learn and extensively use this software package for data analysis.  It is the statistical software predominantly used for statistical analysis in industry.  There are various ways you can learn SAS.  I’ll provide many examples in class and essentially teach you the syntax and discuss interpretation of output.  SAS is available on UNIX and PC platforms at WSU.  
SAS on PC.  The PC version is available in PC labs on campus, is generally the most current version, and should include help features.  As a student in this class, you can also buy a SAS PC license for a year for about $10, a great deal!  You may receive e-mail from CaTS about this or you can inquire with them.  
SAS on Unix.  The UNIX version, available on WSU’s Unix platform “Unixapps1”, is used primarily for batch jobs but can be accessed remotely.  Documentation on “Accessing SAS on the Unix System” is available at the following URL:  http://www.wright.edu/cats/docs/docroom/unix/sas.htm   Note that you will need your Novell account name and password (available at 025 LX) to access SAS on the UNIX machine.  You will also need to set up your PC for remote access; see information about Internet Dial-in Services at http://www.wright.edu/cats/guides/students.html .  

SAS workshops.  CaTS at WSU offers a series of three “Overview of SAS” workshops, providing hands-on experience with SAS for Windows, including SAS terminology, program flow, and descriptive statistics procedures.  The first of these this Fall is 1:00-3:00 p.m. on September 9, and the series continues at the same time on September 23 and October 7, 2005.  Register at http://www.wright.edu/cats/train/trainstat.html  if you want to attend these.
SAS documentation.  Online documentation for SAS version 8 is available at    http://www.wright.edu/cats/docs/sas/sashtml/onldoc.htm and for version 9 at 
http://support.sas.com/documentation/onlinedoc/sas9doc.html
There are links to these on my “morelinks” page, linked to my homepage.

Syllabus:  Distributed separately.

Homework:  Read the textbook material and do any homework assignments given in class.  You are always encouraged (and sometimes required) to use the SAS software for data analysis.  Homework assignments will regularly be collected and graded.  In general, any homework assigned on either Tuesday or Thursday is due at the start of class the following Tuesday.

Examinations:  There will be two in-class tests (announced in advance) and a final exam (5:45-7:45 p.m., Tuesday, November 15th, 2005).  

Grades:  Your final average will be based 30% on homework, 20% on each test, and 30% on the final exam. A final average of at least 90% earns an A grade, 80% a B, 70% a C, and 60% a D.