AP Statistics, Semester A

Course Description

Advanced Placement® Statistics A is the first semester in a two-semester series that will prepare students for the College Board AP exam and statistics at the university level. This course will help students understand how to collect and analyze data as well as how to read experiments and studies with a more critical eye. In AP Statistics A, students will investigate statistical parameters, probability, and conduct surveys, studies, and experiments. Through scatterplots, histograms, frequency tables, pie charts, and distributions, students will learn useful tools to display data and more authentically understand the world around them. Students will also learn about factors that may skew data and how to effectively conduct surveys to minimize potential bias. As a part of this course, students are expected to simulate real-life samplings and record metrics. 

About AP® Courses 

Advanced Placement® (AP) courses are equivalent to college-level courses. We highly recommend that you review the College Board’s AP Statistics Course Information page before beginning this course. Students are required to take the UTHS final exam for each semester course to earn high school credit. Students wanting to earn college credit may take the AP® exam offered by the College Board after completing the semester B course; however, it is not required to receive credit for the course from UT High School.

Semester Topics

• Unit 1: Exploring Data
• Unit 2: Sampling and Experimentation
• Unit 3: Probability and Random Variables

Course Objectives

Upon completing this course, you will be able to—

• interpret data displays, such as frequency tables, two-way tables, histograms, and pie charts; 
• use z-scores to determine percentiles; 
• determine the correlation coefficient between two variables; 
• identify the least squares regression line, interpret the meaning of the slope and the y-intercept, and use this model to make predictions; 
• create sampling methods that generate samples which are truly random, representative of the total population, and minimize bias; 
• use normal distributions to describe populations and make predictions; 
• identify and apply the concepts of independence and mutually exclusive events; 
• identify situations that can be modeled by binomial and geometric distributions and apply these models to calculate probabilities and solve problems. 

Required Course Materials

Please visit the Computer Requirements page to view minimum device, internet, and application requirements for all UT High School courses. Generally, a desktop or laptop device five (5) years or newer with access to an office suite, such as Microsoft Office or Google Workspace, will be adequate to participate in most UTHS courses.

Unless otherwise noted, students are responsible for purchasing or securing all the following course materials:

• Textbook (Free Resource):  Introductory Statistics by Barbara Illowsky & Susan Dean 
• Interactive Notebook: A paper or digital composition book is acceptable. For paper composition books, please also have the following items on hand:  
  • Pens or Pencils  
  • Tape or Glue 
• Graphing Calculator: A TI-84 is recommended for all UTHS math courses. Please review the UTHS Graphing Calculator Policy before purchasing a device. 
• Miscellaneous Items: 
  • A jar of coins 
  • Two number cubes (also known as dice) 

Course Organization

Students must complete the course in sequence: You will not be able to access the next unit until all work in the preceding unit is completed. You may take your final exam only after completing all units and submitting all graded assignments.  

• Units: Each unit includes multiple lessons and graded assignments as well as ungraded practice quizzes to help you check your understanding of the material.
  
  
• Summative Assessments: Each course includes two online, virtually proctored summative assessments testing your understanding of the material presented in the preceding 2-3 Units.
  • Format: Online, Multiple-choice
  • Time Allowed: 1 hr 30 min
    
    
• Final Exam: Each course includes an online, virtually proctored final exam testing your knowledge of all material presented in the course.
  • Format: Online, Multiple-choice
  • Time Allowed: 3 hrs 20 min

Course Grade Weighting

Your final course grade is calculated by weighting the three assignment groups displayed in the table below:

Online Proctored Exams

All course exams, including both summative assessments and the final exam, must be completed online. Students must test online with Proctorio and are required to add the Proctorio extension to either their Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome browser—installation instructions are provided in the student's course. Proctorio uses a student's computer, web camera, and microphone to record video of both the student and their desktop during the exam. Then, UTHS instructors review the student's exam video data collected by Proctorio. Only authorized UTHS staff and instructors can view the exam recordings. Student data is not shared with any persons or organizations outside of UTHS and are deleted after one year. We encourage you to visit Proctorio's Data Security and Privacy site pages to learn more about how we protect student date.