Homework 00: Getting setup

Getting all the materials and tools for the class

Homework
Published

January 23, 2023

1. Discord

Click this link to join the Math & Stats Discord server https://discord.gg/xCQTAgu8bE. This is a support platform where student office hours will be held and personalized channels can be made.

This is the defacto method of communication for this class

I get way too many emails that it’s easy to miss one from you. Got questions about an assignment? Need help understanding a code error? Ask here and get help not just from me, but from your classmates as well. This is a collaborative not competitive class.

  1. Download the Desktop app. You should not rely on remembering to log in using the web version. Chances are very high that you will miss out on important announcements and bonus activities. There also is a Discord phone app that you may want to consider.
  2. You are welcome to have any username you choose as long as it’s suitable for school.
  3. Once you join the server and accept the code of conduct, go to the #class-selection channel (left side bar) and click the icon that’ll add you to our class folder.
  4. Post an introduction in the #458-class-chat channel. Include the following:
    • major
    • Any pets (include pics!)
    • what fictional family would you like to belong to?
    • your biggest concern about the class


2. Update your R (4.2+) and R Studio (latest).

  • All homework is to be done in a literate programming/reproducible manner. This means either .Rmd or .qmd files compiled to PDF.
    • If you don’t know what this means, review lecture 02 & 03 from Math 130 week 1
    • Also check out the next generation of literate programming tools: Quarto. I will be giving you .qmd files to work in. They work essentially the same as Rmarkdown files with subtle differences. You must have the newest version of Rstudio to work with these files.
  • Make sure you can knit to PDF. If you cannot, then install the tinytex package and then run tinytex::install_tinytex() in the console to install a lightweight version of LaTeX.

3. Get Organized

Using a consistent folder structure across your projects will help keep things organized, and will also make it easy to find/file things in the future. This can be especially helpful when you have multiple projects. In general, you may create directories (folders) for scripts, data, and reports.

You need to choose a naming convention for your folders and try to stick with it. Recommended options are:

  • ALL CAPS (MATH458)
  • no caps (math458)
  • snake_case (math_458)
  • CamelCase (Math458)

Create this class folder along with the following subfolders to organize your data and script files.

  • data - any data that’s handed out goes in here
  • worksheets - scripts used for completing worksheets
  • homework- assignments to be submitted
  • notes - you will be writing and contributing notes to the class
  • exams - because they’re likely to be computer based.
Do not let everything live in your downloads folder.

This means when you download a file, right click and “Save as” or “Save target as” and actively choose where to download this file.

4. Quick access

Bookmark this class website. Going through Canvas every time just is a waste of your time.

5. HackMD

Go to the What is HackMD collaborative notes, read the introduction and add your name and major to the list.

6. Student office hours

Help me decide when to hold student office hours. Remember, these are open drop in times where I dedicate my time to YOU as students. My time outside these hours is limited, so be sure to fill this out so I can best choose times that you are free. [Link]

🛑 If you are doing this for Math 456, do not submit a second entry. You only need to do this once.

7. Programming Assessment

This is a required, but ungraded pre-assessment of your R programming skills. This allows both of us to have an understanding about where you are at. Instructions are found in Canvas.

🛑 If you are doing this for Math 456, do not submit a second entry. You only need to do this once.