Focus on advanced theory and methods for manipulating and visualizing the data of non-physical systems. Concentrates on the transformation of multiple data sources and how the data can be integrated into a single source of information. Emphasis on the advanced study of the latest information visualization techniques developed by the research community. A computer programming background is required. Extensive laboratory work.
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
Students should have taken CSCI 627 (Data Visualization) or an equivalent course approved by the department.
The course will focus on research challenges in information visualization, and will feature readings, presentations, and discusses from recent publications in the field. Students will present and discuss existing techniques, survey a particular topic, propose new ideas, and implement and present a final project.
Please note that the schedule is subject to change, although the final project deadlines are not expected to change. Please check the web site for the latest deadlines and readings. The schedule adheres to the university’s academic calendar and final exam schedule.
Because this course focuses on recent topics, much of the material will come from research papers. In order to generate discussion, students will be required to read and respond to those readings either during in-class discussions or written responses. Students must provide a critique of the paper, not just a summary of the paper’s contributions. During in-class discussions, students will be asked to argue for or against the ideas being proposed and support their arguments cogently. Participation in these discussions is part of the course grade. Critiques should highlight specific questions about the paper. Written responses should be submitted via Blackboard and will be due before class. No credit will be given for responses submitted after the paper is discussed.
In order to understand what research has been done in a particular subfield, students will research and write a survey paper about that subfield. The paper must have extensive references and organize these references in a coherent manner. Students will comb recent literature and complete an annotated bibliography to help distill the key ideas in the papers before starting the survey paper.
Students are expected to complete a research project in the field of information visualization that includes implementation of the ideas, a written paper, a poster, and a presentation of their work. Students are encouraged to work on projects that overlap with their research interests. A proposal is required, and the instructor and peers will provide feedback on ideas and progress throughout the semester during progress reports. The project will require significant work throughout the semester.
Due to in-class discussions and presentations, work will not be accepted late. If there are unavoidable issues related to a particular deadline, these must be cleared with the instructor well in advance so topics or timeslots can be swapped. Any work that is submitted late will be penalized, and work that relates to in-class discussions will receive no credit if submitted after that class period begins. The penalty is (100-10*N/6)% of your score where N ≤ 48 is the number of hours (rounded up) after the stated deadline. Weekends count. Penalties may be waived in the case of documented emergencies when the instructor is notified as soon as possible. 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.
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 default to visualization implementations using modern web technologies including JavaScript, but project work may involve other tools and/or languages.
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. This includes following university protocols for Protecting the Pack. 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 mute yourself when you are not actively participating in a lecture. 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 815-75-1303 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.
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).