36-315 Statistical Graphics and Visualization, Spring 2006

Teaching Assistants:  Jeff Palmer
Office: FMSB Rm 320
(This is building #40 on campus maps behind Wean.)
tel: 8-4133
e-mail: jppalmer@stat.cmu.edu
Office hour: Tuesday, 3:30-4:30pm

Lab Assistant: Nina Vishwanath

Lectures: Monday and Wednesday, 12:30-1:20, Doherty Hall 2105
Computer labs: Friday, 12:30-1:20, (Location TBA)  Please note the change in day!!!!!

1. Learn how to critically interpret graphics appearing in the popular press, academic publications, and software packages.
2. Learn how to choose the right graph for the point you are trying to make or, if necessary, how to design a new kind of graph.
3. Create statistical graphics using the R software package.
4. Analyze data and answer statistical questions with graphs.
5. Develop an appreciation for graphical esthetics and learn to critique graphical presentations.
   

Texts

• univariate data
  • histograms, dot strips, density estimates, boxplots, quantile-quantile plots
  • pies, bars, dotcharts
  • visual perception of magnitudes
• bivariate data, time series
  • scatterplots, curve fitting, line graphs
  • visual perception of curves
  • categorical data plots:  mosaics and 2x2 table plots
    
• three-dimensional data
  • using perspective, glyphs, and colors
  • surface plots vs. contour plots
  • visual perception of color
• maps
  • map projections, map coloring, map smoothing
  • animated maps
• hyper-variate data
  • dynamic graphics, fly-throughs
  • interactive graphics, brushing
  • projection and slicing

• The course is taught in lecture format on Monday and Wednesday and via hands-on practice on  Fridays in  a computer lab.
• Lectures will contain the material needed to complete the homeworks and lab assignments.   There are two texts; noetheless, ATTENDANCE and participation in class are critical for learning.
• There will be a weekly OFFICE HOUR where you can meet one-on-one with the instructor and a separate office hour for the teaching assistant. 
  

• In the computer labs, you will learn how to create statistical graphics, under supervision of the lab assistants. Computer labs are mandatory. Each Tuesday, a LAB ASSIGNMENT will be handed out at the beginning of the session which must be completed during the lab period.
  

• You must get the attention of the lab assistants who will check your results and give you 50% credit for the lab. 
  

• Following the lab, you will have until midnight to submit a "polished" version of your answers electronically  to the Lab Assistant via Blackboard.   This version should include sentences providing the interpretation of the results.  The remaining 50% of the lab grade will be awarded for this electronically submitted set of answers.
  

• Computer labs will use a free software package called R, which is similar to S-plus. Unlike Data Desk or Minitab, R is a full-fledged programming language, and you can use it to perform what is, for all practical purposes, an unlimited set of operations.  You can download personal versions of R for Windows, Linux or Mac OS10 operating systems.
  
  

• HOMEWORK will be assigned weekly and coordinated with the lectures and labs. The purpose of these assignments is to improve your understanding of the methods and their results.   The Review Quiz from Lecture 1 will count as a homework assignment.

  Homework will involve answering questions related to the lectures and creating graphics similar to what you practiced in lab. It will be posted on the web and can be handed in or emailed to us. Reading and homework should take about six hours per week.

• There will be two  MIDSEMESTER EXAMINATIONS:
• The first will be in-class on Monday February 20. 
  
• The second will have two components:  An in-class component on Monday April 24, and a lab component on Friday April 28.

• The  FINAL PROJECT for the course will be due during the final exam period.

• Homework: 25%
• Labs: 25%
• Midsemester Exams 20%
  
• Final project: 30%

Each homework assignment will be worth 100 points. These points will be divided approximately equally among each of the parts of the assignment. The Review Quiz will count as a single homework assignment.    (See the link on the course home page regarding revions ogf homework.)

The lowest homework grade will be dropped except if it is the last assignment of the semester which is mandatory.  The remaining homework grades will be used to compute the homework grade. The same procedure will be used for computer lab grades.

Extensions:

• The standard extensions (medical, university event, or religious holiday) must be accompanied by an official form as described in the student handbook.