Information Visualization
Cod: 22099
Department: DCET
ECTS: 5
Scientific area: Computer Engineering
Total working hours: 156
Total contact time: 30

It aims at providing the fundamental knowledge and skills about the principles, concepts, models and techniques of graphic information visualization (IV) of data and information content. It is expected students develop skills on conception, design and implementation of IV practical solutions regarding the several types of data and information content to be visualized.

Information Visualization
IV

Upon completion of this learning unit, students should be able to:
•Recognize the importance of IV in the design and implementation of interactive systems and applications in different application domains;
•Distinguish the models and techniques for the extraction of information structures from raw data;
•Identify and classify the data according to its characteristics, evaluating its adequacy for representation and presentation (multi-sensorial);
•Identify, analyze and evaluate existing applications, systems and technology; to apply them in the design and implementation of final solutions of information visualization.

1) Introduction to Information Visualization: history, objectives and main principles, roadmap of the technologies and applications;
2) Extraction of Information Structures: proximity and connectivity; clustering and classification; virtual structures; analysis and modeling of structures; analysis of similarities;
3) Representation and presentation of data/information: mental model; quantitative and qualitative characteristics; multi-sensorial presentation (visual, auditive, tactile, other);
4) Visualization techniques and algorithms: graphs, trees, bi-, tri- and multidimensional visualization; nets; perspectives; filters; maps; others;
5) Systems and applications: analysis and experimentation with systems and applications; Case studies.

“Information Visualization – beyond the horizon”, Chen, Ch., Springer, ISBN: 1852337893;
“Information Visualization”, Spence, R., Addison Wesley, ISBN: 0201596261;
“Information Visualization: Perception for Design”,  Ware, C., Morgan Kaufmann, ISBN: 1558608192.

E-learning

Evaluation is made on individual basis and it involves the coexistence of two modes: continuous assessment (60%) and final evaluation (40%). Further information is detailed in the Learning Agreement of the course unit.

The students are supposed to be proficient in Portuguese language and also in English language at reading level.  Knowledge of  the C programming language is assumed.