CS-5630 / CS-6630 Visualization for 
 Data Science Alexander Lex [email protected] [xkcd] visualization pictures The purpose of computing is insight, not numbers. - Richard Wesley Hamming - Card, Mackinlay, Shneiderman Banana M. acuminata  Date P. dactylifera  Cress Arabidopsis thaliana   Rice Oryza sativa Sorghum Sorghum bicolor  Brome Brachypodium distachyon [D’Hont et al., Nature, 2012] vi·su·al·i·za·tion 1. Formation of mental visual images 2. The act or process of interpreting in visual terms or of putting into visible form The American Heritage Dictionary Visualization Definition Visualization is the process that transforms
 (abstract) data into 
 interactive graphical representations for the purpose of
 exploration, confirmation, or presentation. … makes data accessible 
 Good 
 Data … combines strengths of 
 humans and computers Visualization … enables insight … communicates Visualization “Visualization is really about external cognition, that is, how resources outside the mind can be used to boost the cognitive capabilities of the mind.” Stuart Card Why Visualize? To inform humans: Communication How is ahead in the election polls? When questions are not well defined: Exploration What is the structure of a terrorist network? Which drug can help patient X? Purpose of Visualization [Obama Administration] Open Exploration Confirmation Communication