Spatial Visualisation

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

200 hours

Successful completion of the following subject, or equivalent, is required to enrol:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

AIMS

Spatial Visualisation is about using and designing effective mechanisms for presenting and exploring the patterns embedded in large and complex data sets. Spatial Visualisation is especially important to spatial decision making, since geographic data sets are both voluminous and rich in structure. By addressing the presentation and interaction with spatial information, this subject complements other topics that deal with the storage and querying of spatial information (e.g. GEOM90018 Spatial Databases), and the processing of spatial information (e.g. GEOM90006 Spatial Analysis). This subject is vital for anyone wishing to work with geographic information systems or spatial databases, or in the area of geographic information science. It will also be of relevance to those with an interest in design, especially graphical and interaction design.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Fundamentals of information visualisation and data graphics; human perception; foundations of user interface design; cartographic design; geovisualisation; exploratory spatial data analysis; evaluation of visualisation interfaces.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILO)

On completion of this subject the student is expected to:

1. Understand what makes visualisation of geographic information different from information visualisation in other domains
2. Critically evaluate the designs of maps and user interfaces for spatial data
3. Analyse big spatial data sets using geovisualisation techniques, and compare alternative technique.

• Two individual deliverables on programming assignments, equivalent to a report of 500 words each, requiring approximately 12-14 hours of work. Addresses the Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1 and 3. Due Weeks 3 and 6 (10% each)
• Mid-semester test of 30 minutes. Addresses ILOs 1-3. Scheduled about Week 7 (10%)
• Group-based deliverable (implementation and description) equivalent to a report of 1000 words per student, requiring approximately 35-40 hours of work per student. Addresses ILOs 1-3. Groups will consist of about 4 students. Due Week 12 (30%)
• 10 minute oral presentation of the group project, requiring approximately 13-15 of work per student. Addresses ILOs 1-3. Due Week 12 (10%)
• 2 hour written exam. ILOs 1, 2, 3 are addressed in this exam. Held in the examination period (30%)

• Tufte, E. (2001). The Visual Display of Quantitative Information. Graphics Press.
• Ward, M., Grinstein, G., and Keim, D. (2010). Interactive Data Visualization: Foundations, Techniques, and Applications. A K Peters.
• Dykes, J., MacEachren, A., Kraak, M-J. (2005). Exploring Geovisualization. Pergamon.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On successful completion of this subject students should have the:

1. Ability to apply knowledge of science and engineering fundamentals
2. Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation, and solution
3. Ability to communicate effectively, with the engineering team and with the community at large
4. Capacity for creativity and innovation
5. Understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities, and commitment to them.

LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS

Lectures will cover the foundation concepts and techniques important to understanding the design and analysis of visual and cartographic data presentation. In practical work, students will gain hands-on experience with a range of visualisation tools and techniques. Practical development tools, like the Processing language, will be applied to a range of spatial visualisation problems, including an international visualisation challenge. This subject is taught over a two week period prior to the start of semester 2; students need to be available full time over that period.

INDICATIVE KEY LEARNING RESOURCES

• Tufte, E. (2001). The Visual Display of Quantitative Information. Graphics Press.
• Ward, M.; Grinstein, G., and Keim, D. (2010) Interactive Data Visualization: Foundations, Techniques, and Applications. A K Peters.
• Dykes, J., MacEachren, A., Kraak, M-J. (2005). Exploring Geovisualization. Pergamon.

CAREERS / INDUSTRY LINKS

Practical context and industry links are provided in the problem-based learning exercises.