Advanced Data Visualization with ggplot2
This workshop introduces the principles and practice of data visualization in R. Students will learn to create effective graphics with ggplot2 and customize visualizations for diverse analytical needs.
Instructor: Wenbin Guo
Term: Fall, Winter, Spring
Location: Boyer Hall, Room 529
Time: Tuesday to Thursday 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Overview
This workshop provides hands-on training in data visualization with R and ggplot2. Students will:
- Learn how to wrangle and transform data for visualization
- Understand the core principles of effective data visualization
- Gain hands-on experience building plots with ggplot2
- Customize and extend visualizations for real-world analytical tasks
For registration, visit the QCBio workshop page.
Prerequisites
- Basic knowledge of R programming
- Familiarity with R data structures such as vectors, factors, and data frames
Textbooks
- Primary: “ggplot2: Elegant Graphics for Data Analysis” by Hadley Wickham
- Reference:
- “R Graphics Cookbook” by Winston Chang
- “Fundamentals of Data Visualization” by Claus O. Wilke
- “R for Data Science” by Garrett Grolemund, Hadley Wickham, and Mine Çetinkaya-Rundel
- “Introduction to Data Science: Data Analysis and Prediction Algorithms with R” by Rafael Irizarry
Grading
- Assignments: 90%
- Participation: 10%
Schedule
| Date | Topic | Materials |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Introduction to Data Wrangling and Visualization An introduction to R/RStudio environment, data wrangling with dplyr, and the foundations of data visualization with ggplot2. | |
| Day 2 | In-depth Exploration of ggplot2 Understanding aesthetics, geometric objects, scales, coordinate systems, and facets, with hands-on practice creating common plot types. | |
| Day 3 | Plot Customization and Advanced Topics in ggplot2 Customizing titles, axes, legends, and themes, applying visualization principles, and exploring ggplot2 extension packages for more advanced graphics. |