Visualization is increasingly important in this era where the use of data is growing in many different fields. Data visualization techniques allow people to use their perception to better understand this data. The goal of this course is to introduce students to data visualization including both the principles and techniques. Students will learn the value of visualization, specific techniques in information visualization and scientific visualization, and how understand how to best leverage visualization methods.
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
Students should have taken a course in algorithms and data structures and have strong programming skills.
The course will focus on the principles of data visualization coupled with programming assignments and a project that offer the opportunity to design and implement visualizations using this knowledge. The course will also have two exams.
Due to COVID-19, this course will be delivered online in a synchronous format using Blackboard Collaborate. Generally, it works better if you can ask questions during the lectures so please attend at the scheduled time. If situations prevent you from attending synchronously, recordings will be made available.
Please note that the schedule is subject to change, although exam dates are not expected to change. Please check the web site for the latest assignments and readings. The schedule adheres to the university’s academic calendar and final exam schedule.
Two exams will be given, one during class and the other at the assigned final exam time. Exams will be given online at the scheduled class/exam time. Exams can only be made up in case of a documented emergency. Valid documentation includes notes from a doctor or a nurse, though not for a scheduled appointment; evidence of jury duty or of court appearance; evidence of military obligations. Notes from relatives do not constitute valid documentation, nor does proof of travel arrangements. Other kinds of documentation may be considered valid (or not) at the professor’s discretion.
There will be assignments throughout the course to help concretize the concepts being discussed in lectures. They will be announced both in class and on the course web site. Assignments are due at the time specified; late assignments will be accepted according to the late policy below. If you are seriously ill or have a family emergency before the assignment is due, please let me know as soon as possible so we can make necessary arrangements. Do not notify me after the assignment is due!
There will be a course project which involves visualization of real datasets. While some starting points will be provided, students are also encouraged to develop projects that align with their research interests. Further details will be made available later.
Project milestones are due on the specified deadlines; submitting them late will result in a zero for that milestone. For assignments, you have three late days (72 hours) to use as you wish. After your late days are used, you will receive (100-10*N/6)% of your score where N ≤ 48 is the number of hours (rounded up) after the stated deadline. Weekends count.
Because this course is offered to both undergraduate and graduate students, graduate students will be expected to complete additional material (extra readings, extra tasks in programming assignments, extra exam questions, etc.). At a minimum, grading ranges will be 90-100% A, 80-90% B, 70-80% C, 60-70% D, < 60% F, but these ranges may be curved in the students’ favor.
The course will use the d3.js JavaScript library (and JavaScript) for most projects, but students will also be introduced to other tools that may include Vega-Lite, deck.gl, Tableau, VTK, and ParaView.
Students are responsible for reading messages sent to their @niu.edu accounts. The course instructor will attempt to respond to course-related email sent to the instructor’s @niu.edu address in a timely manner. In addition, students should turn in work via the Blackboard system unless otherwise specified, and scores and feedback will be available via that system.
Except for changes that substantially affect the evaluation (grading) of the course, this syllabus is a guide for the course and is subject to change. Please refer to the current online version for the most current information.
Any extra credit opportunities will be announced, and all students will have equal notice to take advantage of these opportunities.
Students are expected to follow the Student Code of Conduct within the classroom settings. Faculty may ask students to leave if the faculty member(s) determines that the code of conduct has been violated and a student is creating an environment that is unsafe or not conducive to learning.
You may not record lectures without the instructor’s permission. Please do not cause distractions that detract from your fellow students’ learning. Cell phones and other electronic devices should be silent; if there is an emergency and you need to communicate with someone, please step out of the classroom. You may use electronic devices for note-taking, but please note that not participating in lectures (e.g. working on another assignment during lecture) will affect your learning as well as the class participation portion of your grade.
Good academic work must be based on honesty. The attempt of any student to present as his or her own work that which he or she has not produced is regarded by the faculty and administration as a serious offense. Students are considered to have cheated if they copy the work of another during an examination or turn in a paper or an assignment written, in whole or in part, by someone else. Students are guilty of plagiarism, intentional or not, if they copy material from books, magazines, or other sources without identifying and acknowledging those sources or if they paraphrase ideas from such sources without acknowledging them. All students should read and understand the University’s Student Code of Conduct and Academic Misconduct Process.
Students must complete their own work. They must not submit work from another source (e.g. another student, a book or other published document, or a website). This includes your own work; if you wrote a document for another course that you are using in this course, you must acknowledge that. You must explicitly acknowledge anything that you did not write yourself for this course. Consequences range from a zero on the assignment to dismissal from the university. In this course, the instructor reserves the right to use the plagiarism detection software.
It is the responsibility of each student to make sure that each programming assignment cannot fall into the hands of others. This will require each of you to secure and track all versions of your program. If another student submits a copy of your program, both of you will share the blame and consequences equally.
A student found responsible for academic dishonesty is subject to severe disciplinary action, which may include dismissal from the University.
If you need an accommodation for this class, please contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) as soon as possible. The DRC coordinates accommodations for students with disabilities. It is located in the Campus Life Building, Suite 180, and can be reached at 815-753-1303 or drc@niu.edu.
Also, please contact the instructor privately as soon as possible so we can discuss your accommodations. Please note that you will not be required to disclose your disability, only your accommodations. The sooner you let me know your needs, the sooner I can assist you in achieving your learning goals in this course.
I am committed to making course content accessible to all students. If English is not your first language and this causes you concern about the course, please speak with me.
Class rosters and University data systems are provided to faculty with the student’s legal name and legal gender marker. As an NIU student, you are able to change how your preferred/proper name shows up on class rosters. This option is helpful for various student populations, including but not limited to: students who abbreviate their first name; students who use their middle name; international students; and transgender students. As a faculty member, I am committed to using your proper name and pronouns. Please advise me if there are any changes.
NIU is committed to ensuring that your learning and work environment is the safest possible. A community that is free from all forms of sex discrimination including sexual assault. Learn more about resources if you or someone you know has experienced sexual misconduct and explore the resolution processes.
Undocumented students are welcome in this class. If you are undocumented and need assistance with successfully completing courses or a degree at NIU, the coordinator for Undocumented Student Support, Sandy López, can help you with advising, campus services designed for undocumented students, and other university resources. Visit Sandy in the Campus Life Building, room 236 or contact her at slopez1@niu.edu or 815-753-2391.
These are extremely stressful times. You are not alone in feeling it. We are all living with unsettling uncertainty, and it affects the way we perceive the world, ourselves, and others. Such feelings may be persistent or may come on suddenly. Please be patient with each other and help support a healthy learning environment. If you or somebody you know is struggling with anxiety or other issues, do not hesitate to reach out. Resources available include the DRC and Student Counseling Services (815-306-2777).