Data Visualisation | COMP6234 | University of Southampton

Module overview

Welcome to the Data Visualisation module! In this course, you would learn about the terminology, concepts and techniques behind visualising data, and will get to use a range of tools to get experience of creating visual representations of data. You will gain an understanding of how humans perceive data, and why certain techniques can greatly enhance the effectiveness of any visualisation. We will look at example images to critique them, building up knowledge about what works, and what doesn't. The course will include a mix of lectures, tutorials, seminars and hands-on exercises.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

Topics in information design
Key concepts in data science, including tools, approaches and application scenarios
Topics in interaction design and user engagement
State-of-the-art tools to build useful visualisations for different types of data sets and application scenarios

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Solve specific real-world problems related to the visualisation and interpretation of data analysis results

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Understand and apply the fundamental concepts and techniques in data visualisation

Syllabus

Fundamentals of data visualisation and storytelling

History of data visualisation
Planning a visualisation
Types of data stories and principles to design them
Types of charts and how to choose them
Bad design and lying with statistics
Visual insights: relations and structures
Visual perception and information design for the mind
Interactive visualisations
Online tools and technologies (e.g., Tableau, D3)

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures and tutorials. Assessment via coursework (exercises, technical report) and exam.

Study time
Type	Hours
Lecture	18
Preparation for scheduled sessions	9
Completion of assessment task	67
Tutorial	18
Wider reading or practice	29
Follow-up work	9
Total study time	150

Assessment

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Continuous Assessment	100%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Set Task	100%

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Set Task	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External