Data Visualization (302-0-21)
Instructors
Emre Besler
Meeting Info
Harris Hall L07: Tues, Thurs 3:30PM - 4:50PM
Overview of class
Only Statistics majors, Data Science minors, Data Science majors, and Applied Statistics Masters students assigned to take 302 in this quarter are able to register for this course.
This section of the course will be taught primarily using Python.
Visualizing data plays an important role in both data exploration and presenting analytic results. Quality data visualizations help analysts better understand and effectively communicate their work. This course will help students develop the necessary skills and knowledge to produce quality data visualizations. To this purpose, student will use different libraries of Python programming language and go through an array of labs. Each lab will be focused on a specific component of professional, complete figure created by Python.
Registration Requirements
Only Statistics majors, Data Science minors, Data Science majors, and Applied Statistics Masters students assigned to take STAT 302 in this quarter are able to register for this course.
Both an introductory understanding of statistics and an introductory understanding of programming. Prerequisites: STAT 201-0 or GEN_ENG 150-0 or GEN_ENG 151-0 and STAT 202-0 or STAT 210-0 or STAT 232-0 or PSYCH 201-0 or IEMS 201-0 or IEMS 303-0 or equivalent.
If you have introductory Python knowledge but you are not sure if it is sufficient for the course, please email emre.besler@northwestern.edu to check.
Learning Objectives
At the completion of this course, students should be able to:
• Identify, define, and describe all the components that create static data visualizations.
• Select and construct appropriate data visualizations for data exploration and presentation.
• Build a series of data visualizations to tell a truthful and compelling story with data.
• Develop skills necessary to be an independent and active learner, especially as it relates to coding.
Teaching Method
A typical class will devote about 10-20 minutes to discussion/lecture with the remaining time devoted to labs/projects where students will either work by themselves or in groups. Students will be expected to adequately prepare for each discussion/lecture by reviewing assigned material (e.g. readings, videos, etc.) because the majority of class time will be spent working on projects/labs - designed around the assigned material.
Evaluation Method
There will be 11 labs (80%) and a final project (20%).
Class Materials (Required)
A laptop that is able to run any Python programming environment.
Class Notes
ATTENDANCE AT THE FIRST CLASS IS MANDATORY
This course will have a mostly flipped classroom format: Lecture videos will be assigned daily/weekly outside of class before the day of the lecture. Lecture time will be reserved for the students to work on the labs and the final project with the instructor.
Attendance for the lectures is not mandatory; however, students who miss the lectures are expected to complete the labs on their own.
Class Attributes
SoC Humanities and Fine Arts Distro
SoC Mathematics, Science, and Technology Distro
Enrollment Requirements
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: STAT 201-0 or GEN_ENG 150-0 or GEN_ENG 151-0 and STAT 202-0 or STAT 210-0 or STAT 232-0 or PSYCH 201-0 or IEMS 201-0 or IEMS 303-0
Add Consent: Department Consent Required