Syllabus
Summer 2025 Course Syllabus
Course Information
Lecture Time
M/W/T/R 8:00 AM–9:30 AM
Lecture Hall
HSSB 1173
Sections
As scheduled on GOLD (see Canvas for Zoom links)
nmathlouthi@ucsb.edu
Office
Ellison Hall 5829
Office Hours
Thursdays 11:00 AM–12:00 PM (via Zoom or by appointment)
Note: Zoom links are posted on the Canvas page for the class.
Course Description
This introductory course covers the foundations of statistical thinking, including data description, probability, and inference. Students will learn how to summarize data, compute basic probabilities, and make informed decisions using statistical tools.
Student Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Summarize data using descriptive statistics
- Understand fundamental probability rules and distributions
- Conduct basic inferential procedures (confidence intervals, hypothesis tests)
- Interpret results and communicate findings
Course Materials
Canvas
Announcements, Zoom links, and grades (canvas.ucsb.edu)
Calculator
Scientific calculator for in-class and quiz work
Computer
Use our JupyterHub instance
Recommended Texts
OpenIntro Statistics (free online)
Think Stats by Allen Downey (free online)
Class Schedule
Note: For the most up-to-date details, please visit the Class Schedule tab on our website: Class Schedule
Instructor Information
NM
Narjes Mathlouthi
nmathlouthi@ucsb.edu
Office: Ellison Hall 5829
Office Hours: Thursdays 11:00 AM–12:00 PM
Teaching Assistants
SL
Summer Le
sle@ucsb.edu
MH
Mingzhu He
mingzhuhe@ucsb.edu
Email policy: Include [PSTAT 5A] in your subject. Allow 24–48 hours for a reply (avoid weekends).
How to Succeed
- Attend lectures & sections
- Engage actively & ask questions
- Use office hours for help
Classroom Expectations
Respect peers & TAs. Stay engaged. Seek support if needed.
Communication Guidelines
- Use UCSB email with clear subject
- Allow 24–48 h for replies
- Use office hours or appointments
Grading
Grade Breakdown:
Lecture attendance: 5%
Section attendance: 5%
Quiz 1: 30%
Quiz 2: 30%
Quiz 3: 30%
Grading Scale:
| A Grades | B Grades | C Grades | D/F Grades |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+: 97–100 | B+: 87–89 | C+: 77–79 | D+: 67–69 |
| A: 93–96 | B: 83–86 | C: 73–76 | D: 60–66 |
| A–: 90–92 | B–: 80–82 | C–: 70–72 | F: < 60 |
Grades round to the nearest whole number (e.g., 89.7 → 90).
Quizzes
1
Quiz 1: Weeks 1–2
July 11th
Covers introduction, descriptive statistics and Intro to Probability
2
Quiz 2: Weeks 3–4
July 25th
Covers Conditional Probability, Counting & Random Variables (Discrete & Continuous)
3
Quiz 3: Weeks 5–6
July 31st
Covers Confidence Intervals & Hypothesis testing
Format: Multiple choice & short answer (open book)
Platform: Canvas or Gradescope
Availability: Fridays 7 AM–12 AM (1‑hour limit)
Make‑up policy: Notify within 48 h; documentation required.
Academic Integrity
Do your own work. Cite sources properly. See:
Important: Violations of academic integrity will result in course failure and reporting to the Office of Student Conduct.
Attendance Policy
Lecture Attendance
Worth 5% of final grade. Regular attendance expected for success.
Section Attendance
Worth 5% of final grade. Participation in discussion sections is required.
Make-up Policy
Contact instructor within 48 hours for excused absences with documentation.
Student Resources
DSP & Accommodations Disability services and accommodations
CLAS Campus Learning Assistance Services
EOP Educational Opportunity Program
Transfer Center Transfer student support
Student Health Health and wellness services
CAPS Counseling & Psychological Services
Basic Needs Food security and basic needs support
ONDAS First-Generation Support
Undocumented Services Support for undocumented students
Important Dates
Add w/o Code
June 29
Drop w/ Refund
June 29
Add w/ Code
July 3
Drop Course
July 9
Change Grade Option
August 1
Note: All dates are based on the UCSB Academic Calendar. Please verify important dates on your GOLD account.