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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title Databases & Data Visualization
Module Code PS224 (ITS) / PHY1040 (Banner)
Faculty Science & Health School Physical Sciences
Module Co-ordinatorKarsten Fleischer
Module TeachersStephen Power
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
Coursework Only
If no sufficient pass mark has been achieved the student can repeat the online components/quizzes and work on the digital portfolio in the months leading up to the repeat exam time.
Description

Combined Data literacy, Databases (SQL via Excels and python), and Data Visualisation (python) module Students learn how the basic structure and concepts of a database and get an introduction on the structured query language (SQL) In a second step student learn how to integrate database queries into python programs, but also dynamic dynamic spreadsheets (Excel) The module gives an overview of different plots, their use scenarios, file formats and how to create them within python (matplotlib, seaborn) including physiological and physical limits of human perception and why this is important for information visualisation. The module concludes with a group project on interactive graphs/dashboards The module also embeds topics from the DCU developed Data Literacy content (Introduction to Data Analytics, Big Data, and Data Modelling)

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand the basic concept of structured databases
2. Is able to formulate queries using SQL statements
3. Is able to integrate database queries into spreadsheets and python programs
4. Understands various types of data presentation (scatter, line, histograms, bubble plots, error bars ...) and graphic formats (bitmap, vector)
5. Is able to create various plots in spreadsheets and python
6. is able to understand an industrial/societal scenario and able to select and implement a visualisation approach



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Online activity20Online lecture material in form of pre-recorded lectures, loop material
Lecture6Accompanying &quot;lecture type&quot; (inverse classroom) discussions
Assignment Completion24Optional access to computational laboratories within DCU to carry out online assignments and consult with programming tutors when needed.
Seminars3Guest speakers from industry to illustrate uses of databases and data visualisation
Independent Study46No Description
Assignment Completion26Optional access to computational laboratories within DCU to carry out the project based challenge and consult with programming tutors when needed
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Database Environment
Overview: Architecture, Components & Functions, Data Models.

Query language
Introduction into SQL, how to formulate queries

Database connectors
How to implement connections between applications (python, Excel) and databases (Windows: odbc, python: sql conectors, mysql, sqlite)

Visualisation 101
Vector vs. bitmap formats, when to use which, examples for various plotting styles beyond the basic scatter/line plots. Visualisation of multidimensional datasets: colour plots, 3D plots, bubble plots, butterfly plots, error bars, confidence intervals and interactive visualisations

Project work
Team challenge in visualisation of data from a database within a societal or industrial context

Introduction to Data Analytics
Overvie of the use of Data analytics in society, types of data, data types, and data analysis pipelines

Big Data
Introduction of Big Data and tools for Big Data analysis, Outlook on trends in Big data

Data Modelling
Introduction in Data Modelling (in the computer science sense), including casing of types, dealing with missing entries, and designing database structures

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Completion of online activityStudents need to complete the DCU developed Data Literacy Topics: * Introduction to Data Analysis * Big Data * Data Modelling and participate in MCQ Loop quizzes and Selected Tasks to be submitted at the end of weekly computer based labs.50%Every Week
Professional PortfolioStudents built an digital portfolio over the course of the Module showcasing their skills in data visualisation. Over the course there will be several benchmarks on completion: * Demonstrate ability to create/edit the portfolio * Describe the data set to document in the portfolio * Demonstrate capability of visualising various aspects of the dataset * Final portfolio showcasing the coursework of the student20%As required
Group project In Week 9-12 students will work on a challenge based project to create a interactive dashboard to visualise and explore dynamic datasets. Assessment of the group project is based on participation, quality of the code, and quality of the visualisation30%Sem 1 End
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories:
Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module.
Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

    Other Resources

    None

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