Introduction to Information Visualization - Fall 2009

Course Number: CS 07.370 1 (undergraduate) and CS 07.570 1 (graduate)

Course Information

• Course Objective : To provide a comprehensive introduction to the field of information visualization leading to the ability to understand contemporary terminology, progress, issues, and trends.
• Course Outcomes : Students who complete this course will feel comfortable using information visualization terminology. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: understand the basics of information visualization design principles, implement information visualization techniques and algorithms using a graphics programming language, apply techniques to visualize 1-dimensional, 2-dimensional, and N-dimensional information, apply techniques and algorithms to browse and visualize image and digital libraries, as well as the World Wide Web, understand how to model information in the form of graphs, and then how to apply graph visualization techniques, implement and document a large software project related to information visualization.
• Topics to be covered (wishful list) : Introduction to Graphics Programming and Modeling, Information Visualization Design Principles and Theory, Mental Models of Human Beings, Color in Information Display, Interaction Strategies, Multi-dimensional Visualization, Zoomable User Interfaces, Space and Time Limitations, Understanding Relational Data (Graphs and Hierarchies), Visualization Systems Evaluation.
• Prerequisites :
  • Linear Algebra (1701.210) or Math for Engineering Analysis II (1701.236).
  • Proficiency in programming languages C/C++ and/or Java.
• Course Format : Lecture + Lab.
• Lecture : Tuesday 6:30PM-9:00PM. 
• Lecture Room : Education 2101.  
• Course Web Page  :  http://elvis.rowan.edu/~rusu/InformationVisualization.html
• Class Discussion Page :  http://webct.rowan.edu/  - Information Visualization  
• Instructor : Adrian Rusu
  Office: Robinson Hall, 3rd floor, Department of Computer Science
  Email: rusu@rowan.edu
  Office Hours: Monday 3:00PM - 4:00PM and Tuesday 3:00PM - 5:00PM. Or, by appointment.
• Required Textbook : Robert Spence. "Information Visualization 2nd Edition ": Pearson.
• Recommended Textbooks:
  • Benjamin Bederson and Ben Shneiderman. "The Craft of Information Visualization ": Morgan-Kaufmann.
  • Ben Shneiderman. "Leonardo's Laptop: Human Needs and the New Computing Technologies": MIT Press.
  • Daniel McCracken and Rosalee Wolfe. "User-Centered Website Development: A Human-Computer Interaction Approach": Prentice Hall.
  • Giuseppe Di Battista, Peter Eades, Roberto Tamassia, and Ioannis Tollis. "Graph Drawing: Algorithms for the Visualization of Graphs": Prentice Hall.
  • Colin Ware. "Information Visualization: Perception for Design" (2nd Edition): Morgan-Kaufmann.
  • Dave Shreiner. "OpenGL Reference Manual" (4th edition): Addison Wesley.
  • Dave Shreiner, Mason Woo, Jackie Neider, Tom Davis. "OpenGL Programming Guide" (4th edition): Addison Wesley.
• Grading Policy :
  • Final Exam (25%)
  • Homework (18%)
  • Course Involvement and Attendance (qualifies you for Extra Credit - up to 3%)
  • Class Participation, Imagination (virtually unlimited Extra Credit)
  • 2 Mandatory Office Visits (2%)
  • 2 Projects (10% Project1, 35% Project2)
  • Research Presentation (10%) 
  • Final grades will be based on exams, class participation, mandatory office visits, homework, projects, and presentation:  92-100% = A, 88-91.9% = A-, 84-87.9% = B+, 80-83.9% = B, 76-79.9% = B-, 72-75.9% = C+, 68-71.9% = C, 64-67.9% = C-, 60-63.9% = D+, 56-59.9% = D, 52-55.9% = D-, 0-51.9% = F.
• Exam Policy : All exams closed book. Final exam is comprehensive.  
• Assignment Policy : Sufficient time will be provided for assignments. Late assignments will not be accepted for any reason. Try to start early, so you can finish the assignment on time.
• Mandatory Office Visits : The first mandatory office visit must occur during the first week of the semester. The second office visit must occur mid-semester. Schedule an appointment if formal office hours are not convenient. You must also fill out and submit by email the questionnaires (found at the class Web page) before coming for your mandatory visits. Note: submit your filled questionnaires by email and only come to the office if asked by the instructor.
• Academic Integrity: Unless stated otherwise by your instructor, individual work is expected.  Anything you turn in with your name on it must be your own work, that is, written or coded by you and not copied from anyone or anywhere else. You must do anything you turn in with your name on it individually. You may consult with other students and the course instructor to clarify points of confusion and share ideas. Copying from others is expressly forbidden. Allowing others to copy from you is expressly forbidden. For programming assignments, allowing others to look at your code is expressly forbidden. If you use materials that you've obtained on the Internet, from a book, etc., you must include an appropriate reference. To use such materials without proper attribution is a form of plagiarism. The violation of this rules will result in an F for the course, effective immediately, and a letter to the Office of the Dean.   By registering in this course, each one of you is explicitly agreeing to abide by and adhere to the above statements on academic integrity.

  Rowan University academic integrity policy

• Attendance Policy: Class attendance will be taken by your instructor at the beginning of each lecture. As a student at Rowan University, you are expected to attend all the classes. Please inform the instructor in advance, preferably by e-mail, if you must be absent from a class. Excessive absences (as judged by the instructor) may lower your grade. If you miss a class, make sure that you obtain the notes from someone in the class, as you are always responsible for finding out what has happened in the class. A zero grade will be issued if you miss an exam or a quiz, unless you inform your instructor beforehand and you can present a documented excuse. Students who miss more than 4 (four ) meetings will be reported to the Dean of Students and will receive an F in the course.

  Rowan University attendance policy

• Withdrawal: There are three deadlines for withdrawal during the semester. Each deadline further into the semester demands one more signature and is more difficult to get. If you are thinking of withdrawing, timely action is necessary. The university's policy on course withdrawals during the last four weeks of the semester is that a student may withdraw only if there are circumstances beyond his/her control which prevent him/her from completing the course requirements.
• Policy Concerning Students with Disabilities: In compliance with Rowan University policy and applicable laws, appropriate academic accommodations are available to you if you are a student with a disability. All requests for accommodations must be supported by appropriate documentation / diagnosis and determined reasonable by Rowan University. Students with documented disabilities (physical, learning, psychological) who may need academic accommodations are advised to make an appointment with the Office of Specialized Services/Disability resources in Savitz 339 (x4233). Students with disabilities are encouraged to speak with their instructor as early in the semester as possible about their needs for special accommodations. Late notification will delay requested accommodations.
• Important Dates :
  • Election Day (No class): Tuesday 11/03
  • Final Exam (unless announced otherwise): Tuesday, December 8, 6:30PM - 9:00PM (in class)
  • Final Project Presentations: Tuesday, December 15, 7:00PM - 9:00PM (in class)

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Self Evaluation   Peer Evaluation   questionnaire   OpenGL Examples   JOGL Examples   GLUT Files   GLUT Tutorial   Midterm Evaluation   Homework1   Project1   Homework2   Project2   Research Presentation