The Statistics and Probability math course offers a comprehensive exploration of the topic through three pivotal units designed to equip students with essential analytical skills.

The first unit delves into combinatorics and probability, covering key concepts such as empirical and theoretical probability, conditional probability, binomial probability, and expected value, while also emphasizing the critical notion of dependence and independence.

Following the completion of the probability unit, students will engage with a second unit focused on descriptive statistics and distributions. This unit provides a thorough understanding of fundamental statistical terminology and concepts, enabling learners to grasp how distributions shape data interpretation.

The course culminates in a third unit focused on data analysis, where students will apply their knowledge to analyze various real-life datasets. This course not only builds up statistical literacy but also enhances students’ critical thinking and real-world application situations.

For the fall semester of 2025-26, George Larivee instructs the course. Larivee emphasizes the significant real-life and practical applications of the course. “Probability has a lot of applications, for instance … when you look at the weather report, it gives you the probability of whether it will rain or not; people sort of make a decision [about what to wear] when they see [the] probability, ” stated Larivee.

One particularly relevant example of applied statistics from recent years is Bayes' Theorem, which was extensively used during the COVID-19 pandemic to analyze testing results. Bayes’ Theorem helps calculate the probability of an individual having COVID after a positive test, accounting for test sensitivity, specificity, and disease prevalence. This Bayesian analysis was crucial for assessing the benefits and risks of interventions like COVID lockdowns and mask mandates based on their effectiveness and the pandemic's status.

Bayes' theorem is only one example of the use of statistics in recent years, and numerous other examples show the use of different concepts, such as decision-making and optimization. “In the financial world, people use probability all the time to figure out what makes sense for them to do, what actions would lead to the best outcome,” Larivee said. “There are a bunch of places in the real world where probability is used because people are acting under uncertainty.”

In a recent class, Larivee led an engaging experiment focused on data analysis, where students utilized statistical concepts such as mean, median, variance, and quartiles. Students were tasked with rating the taste of various apple types on a scale of one to ten, with one indicating the lowest preference and ten the highest. After completing their ratings, the students compiled their results into both a dot plot and a standardized box plot, revealing different perspectives on the apples' appeal.

“For [some types] of apples, like the Granny Smith apples, there’s a very big spread, because it’s sour and some people like [that], while others might not; whereas [the spread was smaller for] some other types of apples, like the Sweet Tangles. People loved that one, so they [all rated it] high,” said Larivee. By drawing out the plot, it’s clear to see how people feel about the experiment through numbers.

In conclusion, Statistics and Probability not only equips students with essential analytical skills but also fosters a deeper appreciation for the role of data in everyday decision-making. Under Larivee’s guidance, students engage in hands-on experiments that illuminate the practical applications of statistical concepts in real-world scenarios.

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