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:
Graduate students should have taken or be enrolled in CSCI 501, 502, 503, 504, or 505. Undergraduate students should have taken CSCI 340 and have strong programming skills. Students who have not met these requirements may also take this course with the consent of the department.
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.
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. 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. This project will be developed over the semester.
Short quizzes may also be given about a concepts covered in class to provide students a way to check their comprehension of current topics. Quizzes are generally announced but may be unannounced.
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 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 ranges include +/- grades so, for example, a B+, B, and B- would be included in the 80-90 range.
The course will use JavaScript for most projects, and students will be introduced to tools and libraries that may include d3.js, Observable Plot, 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.
This syllabus is a guide and every attempt is made to provide an accurate overview of the course and its requirements. However, certain circumstances may make it necessary for me to modify the syllabus during the semester for your benefit and the changes may depend, in part, on course progress and our needs. I will announce any change to the syllabus as early as possible so that you can adjust your schedule. 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. 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. Students guilty of, or assisting others in, either cheating or plagiarism on an assignment, quiz, or examination may receive a grade of F for the course involved and may be suspended or dismissed from the university.
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 generative AI tool, 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. Students must not post material from this class, including answers to the homework assignments, on any shared web site.
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 815-75-1303 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.
Undocumented students are welcome in this class. NIU’s Undocumented Student Resource Center (USRC) can help you with advising, campus services, scholarship information, and other resources. Their services are confidential and are also available to students from mixed-status families. For more information contact the Director, Sandy López slopez1@niu.edu, or the Assistant Director, Angélica Mendoza amendoza7@niu.edu. The USRC is located in room 230 of the Peters Campus Life Building.
University students may experience a range of academic, social, and personal stressors, which can be overwhelming. You are not alone. Well-being at NIU offers resources, programs, and services. If you or someone you know need assistance with comprehensive or crisis mental health support, Counseling and Consultation Services (CCS) at 815-753-1206 is ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Additionally, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 988.