BANA 6760 - Data Visualization

The course equips the Business Analyst with foundational concepts and techniques required for telling a compelling story with large complex data sets. The importance of visualizing information for many analysts is often overlooked or downgraded as a natural product of the analytics or model but if the visualization is ineffective the decision making processes and knowledge discovery will be compromised. This is a project-based course that begins with reviewing concepts of human perception and cognition and perceptual accuracy and preferences. In the weeks we have together we will explore the basics of graphic design and making a “good” graph, explore why some data visualizations present information effectively and others do not, and we will also consider visualization as a component of systems for the Data Scientist and Business Analyst and presents examples of EDA (exploratory data analysis), visualizing time, networks, and maps. We end by reviewing methods and tools for static and interactive graphics. Tableau or other cutting-edge software will be utilized. Restrictions: Restricted to graduate majors and NDGR majors with a sub-plan of NBA within the Business School. Max hours: 3 Credits. Semester Hours: 3 to 3