ST880402 – Data Visualization (M.Sc. Statistics, Elective · 2 Theory + 3 Practical)
A good graph can reveal what a table of numbers hides, and a poor one can mislead. This course teaches you to design statistical graphics that are accurate, clear and persuasive, using Python and Plotly throughout.
You will start with how people perceive visuals: cognitive load, clutter, Gestalt principles and data design. You will then build the main chart families for proportions, relationships, hierarchies, networks and time series. You will make graphics interactive with hover, filtering, sliders, zoom and animation, and learn to evaluate whether a visualization actually works. The course closes with the grammar of graphics, the ranking of perceptual tasks that decides which chart to choose, a Matplotlib comparison, and choropleth maps of the USA, India and the world.
Software: Python 3 with Plotly, pandas, NumPy, SciPy, statsmodels and networkx (Jupyter or Google Colab).
- BCM Teacher: Stephy Thomas