Program Overview

Subject Information

Overview

This subject introduces students to techniques for presenting spatial, numerical, and table-based data to maximize effectiveness and simplify interpretation. Students learn to design visualizations of information, considering human perception, audience type, and presentation environment.

Subject Details

• Grading System: HD/FL
• Duration: One session
• School: School of Environmental Sciences
• Assumed Knowledge: SPA105 or SPA115

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

• Appreciate the history and technological development of mapping as communication and as a science
• Be able to design appropriate visualizations for a range of spatial and non-spatial information, and for a range of delivery environments and media
• Understand cartographic fundamentals and their treatment in spatial information systems, while developing graphical communication skills to supplement their oral and written skills
• Be able to effectively utilize appropriate statistical classification methods to elicit information from different types of data
• Be able to incorporate human cognitive issues in effective design of graphics
• Be able to use the World Wide Web as a source for maps and current mapping technology

Syllabus

This subject covers the following topics:

• Examples of both spatial and non-spatial information visualization
• The history of mapping, emphasizing its role as a communication tool
• Cognitive issues relating to the design of visualizations, such as human memory, color perception, comprehension, and layout
• Mapping techniques for both continuous and discrete phenomena
• Statistical data classification methods
• The selection, design, and layout of map fundamentals considering the method of delivery and/or the medium of publication
• Static and dynamic methods of representing two, three-, and multi-dimensional data
• Current topics in animation, data exploration, and electronic atlas development