Instructor: Dr. Shyamal Mitra
Office Hours: TTh 9:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Location: Zoom Link on Canvas
E-mail: mitra@cs.utexas.edu

Reference Material:

• Visualization Analysis and Design by Tamara Munzer. Available for free download via UT library.
• Data Points Visualizations that Means Something by Nathan Yau. Available for free download via UT library.

Recommended Books:
Edward Tufte is regarded as a seminal author in this field, and several concepts we learn in this course have been distilled from his works. His books are expensive and are recommended but not required.

• The Visual Display of Quantitative Information by Edward Tufte.
• Envisioning Information by Edward Tufte.

Prerequisites

It is assumed that all students will have access to a computer to install Python packages, access course materials on Canvas, submit assignments on Canvas and participate in Zoom meetings. Please get a CS computer account as a backup.

Lectures and Office Hours

The lectures and office hours will be on Zoom in Canvas when we meet online. We will meet in the classrooms listed above when we meet in person.

For online meetings, ensure you have the latest Zoom and Duo. Log in to Zoom using your ut_eid@eid.utexas.edu. The lectures will be recorded. These recordings are confidential and are only for educational purposes. The recordings must not be shared in any form. Any dissemination of the recordings is a violation of the University policies and will be subject to Student Misconduct proceedings through the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity. The office hours will not be recorded.

Scope of the Course

Learning Objectives

In this course, we will study techniques and algorithms for creating effective visualizations based on principles from graphic design, visual art, perceptual psychology, and cognitive science. The course is targeted both towards students interested in using visualization in their work, as well as students interested in building better visualization tools and systems.

You should expect to:

• Evaluate and critique visualization designs
• Design and implement interactive data visualizations
• Gain an overview of techniques and grammar
• Develop a substantial visualization project

Class Participation

You are expected to be in class and participate in activities like coding and solving problems in visualization. There is a grade associated with being engaged. I will drop the lowest of your two class participation scores.

Quizzes

There will be a quiz every week on Fridays. There will be around three questions in a given quiz. The questions will be from reading assignments of papers, material discussed in class, or material in the assigned online courses. The quizzes will be hosted on Canvas. The quizzes are multiple-choice questions. There are no makeup quizzes. I will drop the lowest quiz grade. This number (one quiz) is non-negotiable. This drop will address any reasons you may have for missing a quiz.

Online Courses

This course requires some background in statistics in Data Science and Python Data Science packages. You will be assigned online courses through Coursera and LinkedIn Learning to fill in the gaps in this area. These courses are free and fun. Think of these courses as reading assignments. When you finish a course, you will upload a screenshot of the fact that you did to Canvas. Our grading will be on a binary scale. You will get full credit if you complete a course and zero if you do not.

Assignments

There will be weekly programming assignments. These will be exercises posted on Canvas. The assignments will be due on Mondays. We have a two-day late period, during which we will accept your assignment with a late penalty of 10 points per day. We encourage you to work on the assignments in groups of two or three.

The assignments will require a substantial time commitment over several days (an average of 10 to 12 hours per week should be expected). Be sure to budget sufficient time to complete assignments before the deadline.

Turn in your assignments on time. This permits grading to start promptly after the submission deadline so that assignments may be returned promptly. If you do not finish an assignment by the deadline, you have a maximum of two days to turn it in. However, there is a penalty of 10 points (out of 100 points) per day. Your assignment is one day late until midnight of the day after it is due two days late from then until midnight of the second day. We will accept your assignment after two days if there is a compelling reason with a late penalty of 30 points.

Grade Dispute: Scores for assignments will be posted on Canvas. You have one week after the assignment grade is posted to dispute your grade. The student assistants will be grading the assignments. Visit the TAs and see if you can resolve your differences. If you cannot resolve your differences, you may visit me to explain the situation. We will not entertain grade disputes three days after the grades are returned. You may resubmit your assignment for regrading after grades are returned. But the maximum you can get is 70 out of 100 points.

Final Project

How to Succeed

1. Practice. Practice is essential to developing the skills you are learning in this class. It also helps you learn because some things that seem murky clarify when you do them, and sometimes, trying to do something shows that you only thought you understood it.
2. Participate. By seeing what you can and cannot do, what comes easily, and what you struggle with, we can help you learn better by giving advice and, if need be, adjusting the course. Ask questions in discussion forums, and if you see a peer asking a question you can help with, participate by helping your fellow student.
3. Present.
   In the end, the University will stake its reputation (and that of its faculty) on assuring the world that you have mastered the skills and learned the material that goes with your degree. With this in mind, treat each homework assignment and project like a presentation that will be judged by its cohesiveness and ability to stand alone as a piece of data visualization.

Classroom Expectations

Attending class: The class benefits from the attendance and participation of all students. This class is listed as a hybrid, which means we can meet in the classroom or online via Zoom. Class attendance is mandatory, and we will give you at least one week's notice when we meet online vs. in person in the classroom. When meeting via Zoom, please plan to have your video during class and ensure that your display name is your actual name (the one listed in Canvas).

Arriving on time: Please do not hesitate to come to class, even if you arrive late. We would rather you attend some of the classes than miss out altogether. However, if you must arrive late or leave early, please be considerate of others.

Minimizing disruptions: You are invited to participate in class synchronously regardless of the noise level of your location or the number of people in your background (or foreground). However, please keep yourself on mute during the lecture to ensure all can hear. Note that the spacebar can be used to temporarily unmute yourself during Zoom meetings (press to unmute, release to re-mute) on most operating systems.

During drop-in hours and the discussion section, please keep mute turned off to allow for a more natural conversation - unless noise levels are high in your location.

Respect: You should act respectfully toward all class participants.

Classroom Policies

Statement on Learning Success: Your success in this class is important to us. We will all need accommodations because we all learn differently. If aspects of this course prevent you from learning or exclude you, please let us know as soon as possible. We will develop strategies to meet your needs and the course requirements. We also encourage you to contact the student resources available through UT. Many are listed in this syllabus, but we are happy to connect you with a person or center if you would like.

Grades

Your performance in this class will be evaluated using your scores for class participation, quizzes, assignments, online courses, and projects. The weights of each of these components are listed below. There are no extra credit projects or assignments to improve your grade. We do not drop any of the scores to compute the weighted average.

• Class Participation: 10%
• Quizzes: 10%
• Assignments: 20%
• Online Courses: 20%
• Project: 40%

All scores will be entered on Canvas. Check your scores regularly on Canvas to make sure that we have entered them correctly. Remember the average score as shown on Canvas is not correct. It does not weigh the average with weights as shown above. Your final grade will be assigned after we obtain the weighted average according to the weights as given above. We reserve the right to assign grades on a curve, but the grades assigned will not be less than the scheme given below:

• A: 94
• A-: 90
• B+: 87
• B: 84
• B-: 80
• C+: 77
• C: 74
• C-: 70
• D: 65
• F: 0 - 64

Late Policy: This is our late policy to accommodate any unexpected and unfortunate personal crisis. Homework assignments and labs are due at midnight. If you are one day late, there is a late penalty of 10 points. If you are two days late, there is a late penalty of 20 points. You do not have to give us reasons if you are two days or less late.

Homework will not be accepted more than two days late without discussing the extenuating circumstances. You may be granted an extension beyond two days with a late penalty of 30 points.

Regrading Policy: It is essential to us that all assignments are properly graded. If you believe there is an error in your assignment grading, please submit an explanation via email to TAs within seven days of receiving the grade. Regrade requests will only be accepted orally, and no regrade requests will be accepted up to seven days after you receive the grade for the assignment.

Absences: You are responsible for all participation activities assigned during the class, even if you cannot attend the class synchronously. Please check Canvas. Contact us as soon as possible after missing a class.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

• You have a right to a learning environment that supports mental and physical wellness.
• You have a right to respect.
• You have a right to be assessed and graded fairly.
• You have a right to freedom of opinion and expression.
• You have a right to privacy and confidentiality.
• You have a right to meaningful and equal participation in self-organizing groups to improve your learning environment.
• You have a right to learn in an environment that is welcoming to all people. No student shall be isolated, excluded, or diminished in any way.

With these rights come responsibilities:

• You are responsible for taking care of yourself, managing your time, and communicating with the teaching team and others if things start feeling out of control or overwhelming.
• You are responsible for acting in a way that is worthy of respect and always respectful of others.
• Your experience with this course is directly related to the quality of the energy you bring to it, and your energy shapes the quality of your peers' experiences.
• You are responsible for creating an inclusive environment and speaking up when someone is excluded.
• You are responsible for holding yourself accountable to these standards, each other to these standards, and the teaching team accountable.

University Resources for Students

Keep Learning Resources: This course may be offered in a format you need to become more familiar with. If you are looking for ideas and strategies to help you feel more comfortable participating in our class, please explore the resources available here:
https://onestop.utexas.edu/keep-learning/

Services for Students with Disabilities: This class respects and welcomes students of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities. If there are circumstances that make our learning environment and activities difficult, if you need medical information to share with us, or if you need specific arrangements in case the building needs to be evacuated, please let us know. We are committed to creating an effective learning environment for all students, but we can only do so if you discuss your needs with us as early as possible. We promise to maintain the confidentiality of these discussions. Any student with a documented disability who requires academic accommodations should contact Services for Students with Disabilities at 471-6259 (voice) or 512-410-6644 (Video Phone) As soon as possible, request an official letter outlining authorized accommodations. For more information, visit
http://ddce.utexas.edu/disability/about/.

Counseling and Mental Health Center: Do your best to maintain a healthy lifestyle this semester by eating well, exercising, avoiding drugs and alcohol, getting enough sleep, and relaxing. This will help you achieve your goals and cope with stress.

All of us benefit from support during times of struggle. You are not alone. Many helpful resources are available on campus, and an important part of the college experience is learning how to ask for help. Asking for support sooner rather than later is often helpful.

If you or anyone you know experiences any academic stress, difficult life events, or feelings like anxiety or depression, we strongly encourage you to seek support.
http://www.cmhc.utexas.edu/individualcounseling.html

The Sanger Learning Center: Over one-third of UT undergraduate students use the Sanger Learning Center each year to improve their academic performance. All students can take advantage of Sanger Center's classes and workshops, private learning specialist appointments, peer academic coaching, and tutoring for more than 70 courses in 15 subjects. For more information, please visit:
http://www.utexas.edu/ugs/slc or call 512-471-3614 (JES A332).

Other Resources:

• Undergraduate Writing Center: http://uwc.utexas.edu/
• Libraries: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/
• ITS: http://www.utexas.edu/its/
• Student Emergency Services: http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/emergency/

BeVocal: BeVocal is a university-wide initiative to promote the idea that individual Longhorns have the power to prevent high-risk behavior and harm. At UT Austin, all Longhorns can intervene and reduce harm. To learn more about BeVocal and how you can help to build a culture of care on campus, go to:
https://wellnessnetwork.utexas.edu/BeVocal.

Important Safety Information: If you have concerns about the safety or behavior of fellow students, TAs or Professors, call BCAL (the Behavior Concerns Advice Line): 512-232-5050. Your call can be anonymous. If something does not feel right, then it is probably not. Trust your instincts and share your concerns.

The following recommendations regarding emergency evacuation from the Office of Campus Safety and Security, 512-471-5767, http://www.utexas.edu/safety/

Occupants of buildings on The University of Texas at Austin campus must evacuate buildings when a fire alarm is activated. Alarm activation or announcement requires exiting and assembling outside.

• Familiarize yourself with all exit doors of each classroom and building you may occupy. Remember that the nearest exit door may differ from the one you used when entering the building.
• Students requiring assistance in evacuation shall inform their instructor in writing during the first week of class.
• In the event of an evacuation, follow the instructions of faculty or class instructors. Do not re-enter a building unless given instructions by the following: Austin Fire Department, The University of Texas at Austin Police Department, or Fire Prevention Services office.
• Link to information regarding emergency evacuation routes and emergency procedures can be found at:
  https://www.utexas.edu/emergency

Title IX Reporting: Title IX is a federal law that protects against sex and gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual misconduct, dating/domestic violence, and stalking at federally funded educational institutions. UT Austin is committed to fostering a learning and working environment free from discrimination in all its forms. When sexual misconduct occurs in our community, the University can:

1. Intervene to prevent harmful behavior from continuing or escalating.
2. Provide support and remedies to students and employees who have experienced harm or have become involved in a Title IX investigation.
3. Investigate and discipline violations of the University's relevant policies (https://titleix.utexas.edu/relevant-polices/).

Beginning January 01, 2020, Texas Senate Bill 212 requires all employees of Texas universities, including faculty, report any information to the Title IX Office regarding sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking that is disclosed to them. Texas law requires that all employees who witness or receive any information of this type (including, but not limited to, writing assignments, class discussions, or one-on-one conversations) must be reported. I am a responsible employee and must report any Title IX-related incidents disclosed in writing, discussion, or in person. Before talking with me or with any faculty or staff member about a Title IX-related incident, be sure to ask whether they are a responsible employee. If you would like to speak with someone who can provide support or remedies without making an official report to the University, please email advocate@austin.utexas.edu. For more information about reporting options and resources, visit http://www.titleix.utexas.edu/, contact the Title IX Office via email at titleix@austin.utexas.edu, or call 512-471-0419.

Although graduate teaching and research assistants are not subject to Texas Senate Bill 212, they are still mandatory reporters under Federal Title IX laws and are required to report a wide range of behaviors we refer to as sexual misconduct, including the types of sexual misconduct covered under Texas Senate Bill 212. The Title IX office has developed supportive ways to respond to a survivor and compiled campus resources to support survivors.

Emergency Evacuation Procedures: The following recommendations regarding emergency evacuation from the Office of Campus Safety and Security, 512-471-5767, http://www.utexas.edu/safety/

University Policies

Q Drop Policy: If you want to drop a class after the 12th class day, you must execute a Q drop before the Q-drop deadline, which typically occurs near the middle of the semester. Under Texas law, you are only allowed six Q drops while in college at any public Texas institution. For more information, see:
http://www.utexas.edu/ugs/csacc/academic/adddrop/qdrop

University Time Table

• August 26, 2024: Classes begin
• August 29, 2024: Last day of official add/drop
• 11 Sep 2024: 12^th class day, official enrollment count is taken
• November 20, 2024: Last day to drop (with dean's approval) except for urgent and substantiated non-academic reasons to change to or from pass/fail basis.
• 25-30 Nov 2024: Thanksgiving Holidays
• December 09, 2024: Classes end

General Policies

Students with disabilities who need special accommodations should contact the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Office (471-6259 or 471-4641 TTY).