Dr. Ole J. Forsberg’s Courses

Courses Taught

Here is a listing of many of the courses I have taught over the years. I guarantee that the courses are linked below. Beyond those initial links, I guarantee nothing. Link rot occurs. However, if you look around, you will see some interesting information. Enjoy!

Current Academic Year
(2023–2024)

Autumn 2023
MATH 121:	Mathematical Ideas
STAT 200:	Introductory Statistics
Winter 2024
STAT 200:	Introductory Statistics
MATH/STAT 225:	Linear Models and Statistical Software
Spring 2024
On Sabbatical

Knox College Course Descriptions

The following are descriptions of the courses I have taught at Knox College. If you wish to see the official descriptions of all courses at Knox, see the college catalog.

MATH 121: Mathematical Ideas

An introduction to the history and concepts of elementary mathematics. Topics may include: properties of number systems, geometry, analytic geometry, mathematical modeling, and probability and statistics. Designed for non-majors.

MATH 143: Elementary Applied Matrix Algebra

Defunct Course

The idea of a matrix, or rectangular array of objects, is surprisingly powerful and pervasive in mathematics and its applications. This course explores the algebraic properties and uses of matrices. Topics include inverses, determinants, systems of linear equations, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, and applications to such areas as network flow, economic input-output analysis, random processes, electric circuits, game theory, and linear optimization.

MATH 145: Applied Calculus I

A brief survey of differential and integral calculus from an applied perspective, including some material from multivariate calculus. Mathematical modeling with functions, derivatives, optimization, integration, elementary differential equations, partial derivatives.

MATH 321: Mathematical Statistics I

Cross listed as STAT 321

An advanced study of probability theory. Sample spaces, random variables and their distributions, conditional probability and independence, transformations of random variables.

MATH 322: Mathematical Statistics II

Cross listed as STAT 322

A rigorous study of the theory of statistics with attention to its applications. Point and interval estimation, hypothesis testing, regression and correlation, goodness-of-fit testing, analysis of variance.

STAT 195: Topics in Statistics

The topics covered in this course vary based on the term offered. In the past, this course has covered the topics of testing elections, exploring what political polls tell us, and an introduction to Python.

STAT 200: Introductory Statistics

A study of the acquisition, presentation, analysis, and interpretation of data. Topics include: descriptive statistics and statistical graphics, experiments vs. observational studies, elementary probability, random variables and distributions, sampling distributions of statistics, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing for means and proportions, correlation, linear regression, and an introduction to ANOVA.

STAT 225: Linear Models and Statistical Software

Cross listed as MATH 225
Prior to AY 2018–19, this was numbered STAT 222

This course develops further the ideas and techniques that were introduced in STAT 200 relative to regression modeling and experimental design, understood as instances of a matrix linear model. In addition, the student becomes familiar with at least one leading statistical package for performing the intensive calculations necessary to analyze data. Topics include linear, non-linear, and multiple regression, model-building with both quantitative and qualitative variables, model-checking, logistic regression, experimental design principles, ANOVA for one-, two-, and multiple factor experiments, and multiple comparisons.

STAT 250: Statistics Capstone Experience

STAT 250 is the statistics research course. A research project is a requirement of the Statistics Minor at Knox College, and this course is designed to help with that requirement. The research project must combine research into your substantive field as well as provide a “significant” use of statistics in that research. The project designs are done in collaboration with a faculty member who ensures that the appropriate level of statistics is achieved and that the researcher (you) are able to explain (and derive) the statistics used. This project leads to two deliverables: the paper and the public presentation. Those are requirements of the Statistics Minor.

STAT 312: Data Mining and Statistical Computing

This course covers the more-mathematical aspects of data science. This includes using Python to perform typical data mining processes.

STAT 350: Data Science Capstone Experience

STAT 350 is the data science research course. A research project is a requirement of the Data Science Major at Knox College, and this course is designed to help with that requirement. The research project must combine research into your substantive field as well as provide a “significant” use of data science in that research. The project designs are done in collaboration with a faculty member who ensures that the appropriate level of statistics is achieved and that the researcher (you) are able to explain (and derive) the statistics used. This project leads to two deliverables: the paper and the public presentation. Those are requirements of the Data Science Major.

Other Statistics Courses Taught

STAT 4013: Statistical Methods I
STAT 4053: Statistical Methods I for Social Scientists

The purpose of this course is to prepare students for further study and research in the sciences — both social and not. Course content includes (but is not limited to) descriptive statistics, probability distributions, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, and regression.

STAT 4023: Statistical Methods II
STAT 4063: Statistical Methods II for Social Scientists

The purpose of this course is to continue preparing students for further study and research in the sciences — both social and not. Course content includes analyzing various experimental designs and presenting research results.

STAT 4053: Regression Analysis

The purpose of this course is to provide students with the skills to perform regression analysis on appropriate data.

STAT 4073: Statistics for Engineers and Scientists

The purpose of this course is to prepare students for further study and job preparation in the fields of Engineering and the sciences by teaching statistics and probability skills. The course content includes (but is not limited to) descriptive statistics, probability distributions, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, regression, factorial experiments, and statistical quality control.

POLS 6123: Quantitative Methods for Fire and Emergency Management

This online course is offered through Oklahoma State University for the Fall 2010 semester. This course will build upon previous graduate and undergraduate method courses in fire and emergency management. Emphasis on descriptive, inferential, and non-parametric statistics for use in analyzing data relevant to the several disciplines.

Political Science Courses Taught

International Law

Students taking International Law should seek to examine the legal consequences of the fact that contemporary nation-states are creations of international law. Additionally, this course engages the many controversies over who is subject to this law, how the law is created and enforced, and the relationship between international law and international politics.

A History of Terrorism

This course examines one specific aspect of world politics—that dealing with the causes and effects of terrorist activity. Taking the extant research as a starting point, we evaluate this research in light of the current difficulties in studying terrorism. To that end, this course trains you to be better terrorism researchers. This necessitates that you learn how to become better researchers and thinkers.

Global Terrorism

This course examines one specific aspect of world politics—that dealing with the causes and effects of terrorist activity. Taking the extant research as a starting point, we evaluate this research in light of the current difficulties in studying terrorism. To that end, this course trains you to be better terrorism researchers. This necessitates that you learn how to become better researchers.

Ethnicity and Conflict

The two courses concerning ethnicity and conflict examine political and violent conflicts amongst ethnic and national groups and the challenges these conflicts pose for democratic and democratizing states. Such groups include the Ulster Catholics, the Sri Lankan Tamils, and the Spanish Basques. What do all three of these have in common and why have they resorted to extensive violence against their state? This course examines what the researchers have said.

American Foreign Policy

Students taking American Foreign Policy should seek to study several key problems of contemporary American foreign policy. The course will cover several theories of foreign policy, aspects specific to the American political system, and several case studies highlighting these aspects. Additional case studies covered will include terrorism, nuclear proliferation, globalization, human rights, and oil dependency. As this course fundamentally deals with current issues, additional classroom discussion and assignments will center on applications of theories and history to current events.

Contemporary Issues in International Relations

What is happening in the world? What caused it? What can we do to solve the problems? This class strives to answer these three question, while strengthening your knowledge of world affairs and the theoretical underpinnings of International Relations. By the end of the semester, you should be able to intelligently discuss the causes of many of the current world issues with anyone you meet in the street. Here, we make two assumptions: First, there is a possible solution to these problems. Second, we want a solution and are willing to sacrifice to achieve those solutions.

Introduction to International Relations

This course delves into international relations more deeply. It offers what amounts to broad brush strokes of the entire IR subfield. The underlying theme for this year’s course is “explanations of history.” That is what IR offers all: explanations of what has happened, theories through which we can better understand the world around us and our place in that world.

Introduction to World Politics

This course is a wide-ranging survey of world politics including an overview of the international system, problems of conflict and war, political geography, major forms of government, cultural and economic sources of politics and policy. Simple and extended simulations as well as case studies based on contemporary events are added to increase the applicability of the topics taught. As there is no prerequisite for the course, an introduction to relevant political concepts is prepended to the course to get the students thinking in terms of Political Science.

Introduction to American Government and Politics

Students taking American Government should seek to study the power structures existing in America. These structures include formal governmental agencies and structures, such as the Congress and the Presidency, along with informal structure, such as the bureaucracy, interest groups, and the media. Special attention will be given to the foundations of the constitution, the political culture of the United States, the paradox of democracy, and political socialization.

Introduction to Political Science

In the field of Political Science, there are no fewer than six subfields: American Political System, Law and Legalism, Normative Theory, Methodology, International Relations, and Comparative Politics. Introduction to Political Science covers the last four areas.

Introduction to Political Theory

This online course is offered through the University of Maryland University College for the Fall 2010 semester. This course offers a survey of the major political philosophers from the pre-Socratics to Barry Goldwater. Other philosophers include Locke, Hobbes, Augustine, Plato, and Jefferson.