Data visualization in Python

Data visualization in Python#

We are pleased to invite you to our workshop on Introduction to Data Visualization using Python, designed to help you transform raw data into meaningful and insightful visuals. You will learn to create static plots in Matplotlib, Seaborn and interactive plots in plotly. It will build upon the foundations of good visualization practices laid out in the R Course (which you can, but do not have to attend).

My main aim is to get you ready to prompt more precisely Large Language Models (in their Chat Bot interface or elsewhere) to create plot templates, you can then adjust to your liking. Knowing some of the core concepts and terms of the Python plotting libraries helps a lot with that.

This workshop can help you get started to make plots outside of programs like Origin or Graphpad PRISM. It will help you to create plots using scripting which you can (if you need to) edit in programs like Inkscape or Adobe Illustrator.

Slides#

Time and Place#

  • Prerequisites:

    • Bring your laptop

    • a Google account (for Colab),

    • or a GitHub account (for Codespaces).

  • Date: Wednesday, 19th November 2025, 10:00 to 14:00

  • Location: Building 208 - room 011 - ALC2

Agenda#

Time

Agenda Item

10.00 – 10.15

Hello, coffee and setup

10.15 – 10.45

General considerations on handling plots created by scripts for publication
(size, saving plot data)

10.45 – 11.15

Matplotlib and seaborn basics

11.15 – 11.30

Break

11.30 – 12.00

Interactive plotly plots

12.00 – 12.30

Lunch break

12.30 – 14.00

Advanced plots, editing with LLMs and your questions

How to use material#

There are two main ways we intend to use the material provided as executable notebooks: Colab and GitHub Codespaces.

These hints on writing basic Markdown syntax might be helpful: Mastering Markdown

Google Colab#

Every tutorial or exercise can be opened in colab using the launch button on the top right: 🚀 (grey rocket if available)

Open in Colab

Colab intro video:

GitHub Codespace#

Launch the repository in a Codespace by clicking the button below:

Open in GitHub Codespaces

Make sure you are logged into your GitHub account.

Then you can use VS Code in the Browser with a GitHub Codespace connected.

Please have a look at the (video) tutorials before the course:

Local or elsewhere#

Get the repository and install the requirements from requirements.txt.

git clone https://github.com/biosustain/dsp_workshop_dataviz_python.git
cd dsp_workshop_dataviz_python
# create an environment, e.g. using venv
source venv/bin/activate  # on Windows use `venv\Scripts\activate`
pip install -r requirements.txt
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