1. The problem asks for the number of elements in the sample space when four students are selected and each is classified as male or female. 2. Each student can be classified in 2 ways: male (M) or female (F). 3. Since there are 4 students, and each has 2 possible classifications, the total number of outcomes is given by the product rule: $$2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2 = 2^4$$ 4. Calculate the value: $$2^4 = 16$$ 5. Therefore, the number of elements in the sample space is 16.