CS 5764: Information Visualization

Syllabus, Fall 2007

Course:

T/Th 12:30-1:45
Williams 209
CRN:  96992

Professor:

Dr. Chris North
VTKW2 1142
Office Hours: TBA

GTA:

Sarah Peck
Office Hours: TBA

Text:

Web site:

Grading:

Format:

This is a research-oriented course. Students survey the state-of-the-art in the field of Information Visualization by reading and discussing many research papers.  Lectures involve student presentations, class discussion about assigned readings, and live demos of visualization systems. Class participation is important.  Short homework assignments require critical thinking about current visualization tools, and creative design of new visualization ideas.  Occasional in-class activities will reinforce readings and lecture materials

Large semester-long projects are the focus of the course.  Students work in small groups on research projects that contribute to the state-of-the-art in the field.  Students choose from three types of projects:  Development projects involve the design, implementation, and evaluation of new visualization tools.  Experimentation projects involve conducting empirical user studies to measure and analyze effects of visualizations.  Theoretical projects survey and analyze the research literature and synthesize new theories or taxonomies.  A list of project ideas will be provided, or students can invent new projects.  Students groups write a conference-quality paper and present their project results to the class.  These projects provide an excellent opportunity for initiating or continuing thesis research, and can result in conference publication.

Learning Objectives:

In this course, students learn to:

Topics:

Policies:

Assignments handed in late will not be accepted, except at the discretion of the instructor. All assignments should be handed in at the beginning of the class period on the due date, unless otherwise specified by the instructor.

Group work on the projects can be difficult. Problems or conflicts within groups should be reported to the instructor immediately, so that problems can be resolved before deadlines become imminent.

Class attendance is required. Many concepts covered during in-class lectures and activities may not be present in readings.

Students needing special accommodations for religious holidays, disabilities, etc. should see the instructor during the first two weeks of the semester.

Honor System:

The Honor System policies of the University and Computer Science Department are to be observed in this course.  All assignments (with the exception of the group project) must be completed by students working alone.  The group project must be completed by the members of the group only.