CSC8636 : Complex Data Visualization
- Offered for Year: 2023/24
- Module Leader(s): Dr Sara Fernstad
- Owning School: Computing
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
Aims
Data visualization can be described as the communication of complex data through the use of interactive visual interfaces. It is an increasingly important part of data science and aims to bridge the gap between the human and data, by supporting human perception and cognition to make sense of data analytics outputs.
The aim of this module is to familiarise students with the theoretical underpinnings of visualization techniques for complex data. This module will introduce the research methodology which underpins experimental evaluation of visualization approaches. Through project work, students will experience the full lifecycle from design of interactive visualization to experimental evaluation of an advanced visualization approach.
Outline Of Syllabus
The syllabus will cover topics from:
How, why and when to use visualization
The human in the loop – how human perception and cognition influence visualization design.
Approaches to the visualization of complex data, including: Heterogeneous, categorical, ordinal and numerical data;
Multivariate and high dimensional data;
Uncertainty and incomplete data.
Approaches for interactive and multiple coordinated views.
Research methodology and experimental evaluation:
Validation;
Design studies;
Experimental design;
Usability studies.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 8 | 1:00 | 8:00 | Lectures delivered as PIP (with underpinning online material). |
Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 4 | 0:30 | 2:00 | Preparation for oral examination |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 18 | 1:00 | 18:00 | Practical sessions in computer lab, with set exercises and coursework support |
Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 39 | 1:00 | 39:00 | Lecture follow-up and background reading |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Oral Examination, PIP in small groups. |
Guided Independent Study | Project work | 30 | 1:00 | 30:00 | Main assessed project |
Guided Independent Study | Reflective learning activity | 4 | 0:30 | 2:00 | Formative exercise and peer assessment |
Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures explain the underpinning principles for the module and technologies that support visualization. Lectures are complemented by practical sessions to guide the application of these principles using suitable computational tools. The zero weight exercise builds on the lecture work, and peer assessment develops reflection and critical thinking around the application of visualization principles. The practical work builds up experience working with advanced visualization challenges using a computational toolset that is used to complete a substantive project that is documented in a report that constitutes the main submission for the module.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|
Report | 2 | M | 100 | Written report details the design of visualization analysis + reflection on alternative approaches based key learning Max 2,000 word |
Zero Weighted Pass/Fail Assessments
Description | When Set | Comment |
---|---|---|
Oral Examination | M | Structured discussion + Presentation including demonstration +reflection on the key learning objectives of project work (max 10 min) |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The report tests the students’ ability to apply visualization techniques to solve a problem to a given specification. The oral examination facilitates a reflective discussion about how individual students have met the learning objectives of the module and how the principles of visualization are embedded in the functionality of the application they developed.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- CSC8636's Timetable