FA550 Data Visualization Applications


Course Catalog Description

Introduction

Effective visualization of complex data allows for useful insights, more effective communication, and making decisions. This course investigates methods for visualizing datasets from a variety of perspectives in order to best identify the best solution for a given task. Students will use a number of tools to refine their data and create visualizations, including: R and associated visualization libraries, Tableau 2023.2, Gephi, and web-based applications.

Campus Fall Spring Summer
On Campus X X
Web Campus X X

Instructors

Professor Email Office
Brian Moriarty brian.moriarty@stevens.edu Babbio Center – 629

More Information

Course Outcome

  • Develop knowledge of tools for visualizing datasets
  • Develop a programmatic understanding of translating data into useful visual forms
  • Develop a critical vocabulary to engage and discuss information visualization
  • Develop an understanding of data visualization theory
  • Understanding of ethical considerations for data visualization



Course Resources

Textbook

  • Storytelling with Data -- Cole Knaflic; ISBN: 978-1119002253
  • Mastering Tableau 2023 - Fourth Edition -- Marleen Meier, Christina Stathopoulos, David Sigerson; ISBN: 978-1803233765
  • Learning Tableau 2022 - Fifth Edition -- Joshua N. Milligan; ISBN: 978-1801072328
  • Data Modeling with Tableau -- Kirk Monroe; ISBN: 978-1803248028

Additional References

TABLEAU LICENSING:

  • Download the latest version of Tableau Desktop here:
  • Click on the link above and select Get Started. On the form, enter your school email address for Business E-mail and enter the name of your school for Organization.
  • Activate with your product key: TBD
  • Already have a copy of Tableau Desktop installed? Update your license in the application: Help menu -> Manage Product Keys

Are your students new to Tableau? Share our free Student Resource Page to help them get started. Students can continue using Tableau after the class is over by individually requesting their own one-year license through the Tableau for Students

Additional Online Materials:

Tableau Free Training Videos
Tableau Elearning
Gephi Tutorials
Datawrapper Academy
Plotly Chart Studio Tutorials



Grading

Grading Policies

Homework 40%
Discussion Board Submissions 10%
Individual Project Proposal 15%
Individual Project Final Submission 35%


Lecture Outline

Week or Module Topic Associated Reading Assignments
Week 01 Introduction to Data Visualization Knaflic, Introduction and Ch. 1 In-Class: Review Syllabus Install Tableau Desktop, Tableau Prep Builder
Week 02 Introduction to Data Visualization: Research Methods and Graph Types Knaflic, Ch. 2
Learning Tableau 2022, Ch. 1		 In-Class: General visualization types Research Methods Understand the Context exercise
Due Sep. 18: Research Methods assignment due via Canvas
Week 03 Tableau Data Preparation and Connections Knaflic, Ch. 3
Learning Tableau 2022, Ch. 2		 In-Class: Tableau graphing basics
Week 04 Creating More Complex Visualization Types in Tableau Knaflic, Ch. 4
Learning Tableau 2022, Ch. 3 		In-Class: Tableau concepts Identify and Eliminate Clutter exercise
Due Oct. 2: Tableau Graphing Basics assignment due via Canvas
Week 05 Introduction to Tableau Prep Builder Knaflic, Ch. 5
Learning Tableau 2022, Ch. 16
Mastering Tableau, Ch. 3		 In-Class: Introduction to Tableau Prep Builder for data preparation Focus attention exercise
Due Oct. 16th: Tableau Prep Builder assignment due via Canvas
Week 06 Introduction to Dashboard Design and Visualization Formatting Learning Tableau 2022, Ch. 7, 8 In-Class:
Week 07 Dynamic Dashboards, Advanced Dashboard Concepts, and Advanced Visualizations Knaflic, Ch. 6 Learning Tableau, Ch. 10
Mastering Tableau, Ch. 11		 In-Class: Interactive dashboards and visualization design principles Think like a designer exercise
Due Oct. 30th:
Tableau Interactive Dashboards assignment due via Canvas
Week 08 Tableau Calculations Methods Knaflic, Ch. 7 Learning Tableau, Ch.4-6
Mastering Tableau, Ch. 5 		In-Class: Tell a story exercise
Week 09 Tableau Cloud Knaflic, Ch. 8 Mastering Tableau, Ch. 14 In-Class: Review of online data visualization tools Storytelling with data process exercise Due Nov. 13th: Assembling a Tableau Story assignment due via Canvas
Week 10 Visual Analytics + Data Preparation Knaflic, Ch. 9 Learning Tableau, Ch. 9
Mastering Tableau, Ch. 6 		In-Class: Developing a story exercise
Due Nov. 20th:
Final Project Proposal assignment due via Canvas
Week 11 Working with Maps Knaflic, Ch. 10 Learning Tableau, Ch. 12
Mastering Tableau, Ch. 9		 In-Class: Real-world scenarios exercise
Week 12 Tableau Extensions and Integrations Learning Tableau, Ch. 13 Mastering Tableau, Ch. 14 In-Class:
Week 13 Advanced Analytics and Performance Mastering Tableau, Ch. 12, 13 In-Class:
Week 14 Project Review Final project presentation(Draft) In-Class: Presentations of draft project submissions.
Final Project Submissions will be due Dec. 15th