University of Galway

Course Module Information

Course Modules

Semester 2 | Credits: 5

Data Visualisation is concerned with techniques and technologies for the visual representation of data and the results and evaluation of data analytic processes. This module takes a practical approach to introducing learners to the strengths and weaknesses of human perception, and the use of best practices to represent complex and large data stories using visual primitives. The module demonstrates the role of visualisation in exploratory data analysis and its fundamental role in explaining data analytics outcomes. The practical work in this module is done using the R programming language - and learners are expected to have completed an introductory module in R.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. describe the basic design principles underlying human perception, color theory and narrative
  2. select different types of visualisations for use in various exploratory and explanatory scenarios
  3. deploy the grammar of graphics to build interpretable static and interactive visualisations using R's visualisation packages and other processing libraries from the tidyverse set of R packages
  4. deploy visualisation techniques during exploratory analysis work flow
  5. build custom visualisations that represent specific data-driven narratives
  6. outline at least one research area in Data Visualisation based on your reading of at least two research papers
Assessments
  • Written Assessment (65%)
  • Continuous Assessment (35%)
Teachers
Reading List
  1. "R Graphics Cookbook" by Winston Chang
    Publisher: O'Reilly
  2. "ggplot2" by Hadley Wickham
    ISBN: 9783319242750.
    Publisher: Springer
  3. "Information Visualization" by Colin Ware
    ISBN: 9780123814647.
    Publisher: Elsevier
  4. "Now You See it" by Stephen Few
    ISBN: 9780970601988.
    Publisher: Analytical Press
  5. "The Visual Display of Quantitative Information" by Edward R. Tufte
    ISBN: 9781930824133.
    Publisher: Graphics Press
The above information outlines module CT5100: "Data Visualisation" and is valid from 2023 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.