FIT3020 - Information visualisation - 2018

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Undergraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Information Technology

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Tim Dwyer

Not offered in 2018

Prerequisites

Completion of 12 points at level 2 from FIT

Prohibitions

FIT2079

Synopsis

With the increasing amount of data available, it is important to be able to represent large collections from a wide range of domains in forms that more readily convey embedded information. The human sense of vision is a powerful tool for pattern recognition - this sense can be harnessed via multimedia interactive presentations. This unit will examine the fundamental principles of information visualisation and the range of tools and methods which are available to represent large data sets. These techniques can be applied across a wide range of fields including geographical, medical, statistical and scientific visualisation. The unit will examine in detail the visualisation of geospatial data in GIS (Geographic Information Systems).

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. describe the concepts of human visual perception and its impact on cognition;
  2. describe the properties of data and be able to select the most appropriate analysis and visualisation techniques for conveying meaning with specific data sets;
  3. create information and geospatial visualisations using a range of techniques, such as the use of pattern, space, colour and interactivity;
  4. analyse information visualisation examples and constructively critique them based on the visualisation techniques discussed;
  5. analyse contexts such as business, education, social sciences and physical sciences by describing the data sets used and the visualisation challenges associated with them.

Assessment

Examination (2 hours): 40%; In-semester assessment: 60%

Workload requirements

Minimum total expected workload equals 12 hours per week comprising:

  1. Contact hours for on-campus students:
    • Two hours of lectures
    • One 2-hour laboratory
  2. Additional requirements (all students):
    • A minimum of 8 hours independent study per week for completing lab and project work, private study and revision.

See also Unit timetable information

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at: