UNIK9660 – Visualization of scientific data

Course content

Methods in scientific visualization is presented in this course. First a short introduction to computer graphics is given: Terminology, data representation and some algorithms for geometry building are presenter. Various rendering techniques are mentioned. Special attention is paid to textured based direct rendering or "voxel rendering", which is used extensively through the course. We consider not only how to visualize, but also what to visualize. That is the motivation for including kinematics (the science of motion) into the course. Concepts of kinematics are used when visualizing vector and tensor fields. They are used in the formulation of various schemes used to visualize time varying fields (animations). New techniques for field line visualization like "line integral convolution", "illuminated field lines" and "anisotropic diffusion" are presented. The techniques are applied to astrophysical/geophysical fluid data, computational fluid dynamics data and medical data.

You will also learn the fields of kinematics dealing with critical points, topological classification of critical points and identifying vorticity kernels.

Learning outcome

The course will give the students basic experience in modern data visualization techniques. The course is suited for students of physical sciences, computer science, applied mathematics and medical sciences. 

Admission

PhD candidates from the University of Oslo should apply for classes and register for examinations through Studentweb.

If a course has limited intake capacity, priority will be given to PhD candidates who follow an individual education plan where this particular course is included. Some national researchers’ schools may have specific rules for ranking applicants for courses with limited intake capacity.

PhD candidates who have been admitted to another higher education institution must apply for a position as a visiting student within a given deadline.

Prerequisites

Recommended previous knowledge

Some background in linear algebra. It is advantageous to have taken the course INF2340-Simulation and visualization, but no formal requirement.

Overlapping courses

8 credits against the older course UNIKI-VAVD. The course is approved at NTNU with the code TMA4235.

Teaching

3 hours of lectures and problem sessions per week. The students must submit and pass obligatory tasks before they are admitted to take the exam.

Examination

Oral examen at the end of the semester. Graded as pass/fail.

The course has mandatory assignments that must be approved before students can take the exam.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.

Explanations and appeals

Resit an examination

Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are offered a postponed examination at the beginning of the next semester.

Re-scheduled examinations are not offered to students who withdraw during, or did not pass the original examination.

Facts about this course

Credits
10
Level
PhD
Teaching
Every spring
Examination
Every spring
Teaching language
Norwegian (English on request)