Quantitative Methods in Plant Biology

PBIO-415 Problem Sets

There are 10 problem sets for PBIO-415. Most of the exercises you will do to learn the material and prepare for exams will be worked by pencil, paper, and calculator. This is a very effective mode of learning biostatistics; however, it is not the mode by which you will ever likely practice biostatistics (which will be done on computers, likely using specialized statistical software).

These problem sets are not designed to be an additional onerous or lengthy exercise. They are designed explicitly to give you practice using software applications on problems that you have already solved by paper and pencil. None of these assignments is likely to last more than one hour and many will be less. They can be done in the PBIO computer lab or wherever else you have access to Excel and NCSS. The TA will assist those wishing to purchase NCSS.

The grading rubric is simple and clear: Each assignment is worth 2 points; 0 = assignment not handed in by due date (NOTE: late assignments are not accepted without prior permission), 0.5 = less than 50% correct, 1 = less than 75% correct, 2 = greater than or equal to 75% correct. Thus, you can attain a maximum of 20 points for this material.

NOTE: Each assignment is due in class on Tuesday morning and will be collected by the TA. Assignments will be returned the next class period. Any assignment not turned in by the due date/time (without prior written permission from the instructor) will receive a zero for the assignment. I will not be providing regular reminders in class (past the first week or two) regarding these assignments. Just know that one is due EVERY TUESDAY of the class and bring it accordingly.

* Exp = boxed example in text; Exr = exercise at end of chapter