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UST 404 (any changes will be posted here and on the WebCT site; see sign-up instructions on the course website )
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Decision making for planning, policy, and management often uses quantitative reasoning, which entails collection, analysis and interpretation of quantitative data. UST402 provides a basic tool kit for quantitative reasoning. It introduces students to principles and techniques of urban data analysis and provides the foundation for the study of applications in specific urban planning and policy fields.
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recognize questions that lend themselves to quantitative analysis; 
identify the means to test the hypotheses (logic, procedure, data);
carry out statistical analyses and understand the meaning of results;
present the results;
WEB COURSE METHOD
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- Students are expected to: attend weekly face-to-face classes; participate actively in electronic discussions, asking clarifying questions.
- Homework sets and project outputs should be handed in ON TIME. Þ Homework sets should be handed in ON TIME. Since homeworks serve the goal of sharpening communication skills that complement the analytic ones, pay attention to completeness, clarity and aspect. Grading is based on soundness of the analytical thinking, effectiveness of interpretation, and communication of results. Results with no interpretation/conclusion will not be considered.
- Þ Read text assignments and identify topics that need clarification in class or electronically. Feel free to raise questions (even if you suspect you are the only one who does not know the answer) to ensure that you thoroughly understand and are able to apply discussed procedures in contexts outside the classroom.
EVALUATION PROCEDURE (tentative)
The final grade 
will be a composite of grades for:
- periodic assignments (expected at every weekly face-to-face meeting), 20%
- class participation in group exercises, 20%
- midterm (class time), 25%
- final (exam day, class time), 35%
- Late homeworks will not be accepted. Note the tight Summer Semester schedule.
- The midterm and final exams will test accumulated knowledge as well as ability to respond to new problems. While focusing on the most recent lecture topics, exams have to rely on concepts covered earlier; so, in preparation, review earlier material and avoid falling behind in readings or homeworks.
- Exam attendance is required, so makeups will be given only in cases of emergencies (proof required) and only with advance notice and arrangement.
Instructor and CSU 
-- up-to-date information on dates and policies
DISTANCE LEARNING STRATEGIES
Remember that the freedom to pace yourself entails responsibility.
- Read a portion of the text, notes and handout every day of the week, rather than cram all in one day.
- Practice the skills, since reading comprehension may be misleading (you may think you understand but cannot apply the concepts to problems).
- Review and make sure you understand the concepts.
- Use the Basic Skills and Concepts section in the text to check if you understand.
- Try out the review exercises and keep track of what gives you trouble, so you can ask questions by e-mail or in class.
- Go to the schedule page and click on some of the suggested sites for each week.
- Write the instructor e-mail either to say that all is clear, or to ask specific questions (remember to give text page number and even paragraph to make it easy to find what you are asking about).
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