This course introduces some basic ways of thinking about uncertain
phenomena.  Quantitative reasoning skills and statistical literacy are
emphasized.  An important theme is the role of probability in
statistical inference.  Stat H100 requires MATH M014 (or its
equivalent) and the permission of the Honors College.  It fulfills the
COAS N&M requirement.

This course is about general principles and fundamental concepts.  It
provides an excellent introduction to the key ideas that underlie
statistics, and it should make you a more critical consumer of the
quantitative information that you encounter in newspapers, magazines,
etc.  However, it is not the purpose of this course to introduce a
variety of methods for analyzing experimental data.  Students who
anticipate analyzing data (in another course, for a senior thesis,
etc.) should plan on following STAT H100 with a more methods-oriented
course, e.g., STAT S300 (Introduction to Applied Statistical Methods)
or STAT S320 (Introduction to Statistics).

This course does not involve difficult mathematics (the most
complicated mathematical operation involves a square root).  Nor does
it involve the use of statistical software (a calculator may be
helpful, mainly to take square roots).  However, do not confuse the
avoidance of difficult mathematics or computers with the avoidance of
intellectual challenge!  Most students consider this a challenging
course.  The challenge lies in thinking clearly and reasoning
rigorously--the same sort of challenge that you might encounter in a
philosophy course.