About Certificate in Data Visualisation

Special Purpose Award - Level 8 Award (10 credits)

Data Visualisation

Information is being collected at unprecedented rates the content of which impacts all of us in our daily lives - from supermarket chains electronically recording the purchases of customers shopping baskets to banks and other financial institutions assessing credit risk prior to issuing loan approvals to scientists trying to make sense of massive climatic data sets to assess the impact of global warming.  In fact it is probably safe to conclude in the words of the visual artist Lev Manovich that ‘regardless of profession, financial analysts, policymakers, architects, accountants, and pretty much everybody else engaged in are doing the same thing: processing information’.

Processing information involves analysis and communication.  Information is analysed to assess the presence of interesting patterns and structures in data while the results of this analysis needs to be communicated effectively.  This accredited course in data visualisation seeks to improve the efficiency of information processing by offering a visual, practical and hands-on approach to the analysis and communication of data that facilitates the transformation of data into knowledge.

The Certificate is a part-time, special purpose award. Classes are held on one evening per week for one academic year. Students are required to complete two assignments during the year.

The course is suitable for persons involved in the collection, analysis or interpretation of data together with persons responsible for the communication of data to a range of audiences.  It is not necessary to have a technical background in data analysis to benefit from this course.

Aims and Objectives

On completion of the programme you will be able to:

• Apply optimal graphical techniques to represent data.
• Apply best practice principles for the graphical communication of data.
• Analyse data sets using dynamic and interactive software tools
• Assess current trends and emerging themes in data visualisation.

What will I be able to do when I graduate?

On completion of this programme, you will have a number of alternative routes available at IADT.

If you already hold an Honours Degree, or are eligible for an APEL application, you may apply for the MA/MSc in Digital Media or for a suitable research postgraduate position.

If you do not hold an Honours Degree, you may be interested in our BSc (Hons) in Computing in Multimedia Systems / Web Engineering or our BSc (Hons) in Applied Psychology.

 

What Topics Will I Study?

This programme provides introductory content in topics such as:

• Representing data in one, two and higher dimensions.
• Best practice design principles for graphical representation.
• Exploring data using dynamic and interactive visualisation software.
• History, current trends and emerging themes in data visualisation.

What are the Entry Requirements?

Leaving Certificate Examination or equivalent (NQF Level 5). Applicants without this can also be considered based on their prior experience and learning (APEL).

What are the fees?

In 2009/10, €500 plus an examination fee

What is the Closing Date?

Applications must be made directly to IADT by 4pm on Friday, 21st August 2009.

Please contact our Admissions Office on admissions@iadt.ie for an application form or log onto www.iadt.ie.

Please note: This programme is subject to reaching a minimum number of participants in order to proceed.