Graphics and visualization—Techniques and tools: A course for postgraduates of all disciplines

There is a need to train young researchers across a wide spread of disciplines in how to make the best use of graphics and visualization. This paper describes a course organised by the UK Advisory Group on Computer Graphics (AGOCG) in January 1993, aimed at new postgraduate students who were looking to use visualization in the exploration and presentation of their data. To cater to a wide range of backgrounds, only general computer literacy was assumed-and no programming skills were assumed. The course mixed education-through a series of lectures to convey fundamental knowledge, pass on useful experience and instill enthusiasm-and training-through a series of practical exercises and "challenges" where the students learned how to use commonly available software to solve real visualization problems. A course video was produced by the students at the end of the week-long course. The paper describes the content of the course, the challenges set, and raises issues for discussion in planning future such courses.