BDS Toolbox: Data Visualization

Instructor · Behavioral Data Science Master's, University of Amsterdam · 2025

Part of the BDS Toolbox methods course in the Behavioral Data Science Master's programme. Students learn effective data visualization using R and ggplot2, build interactive visualizations, and collaborate using Git and GitHub — working with real data from large-scale educational platforms across two assignments.

Topics covered:

• Principles of effective data visualization
• Static visualizations with ggplot2 (themes, color, facets, annotations)
• Interactive visualizations with plotly / ggplotly
• Collaborative workflows with Git and GitHub

Course website  ·  Slides  ·  GitHub repository

Programming: The Next Step

Instructor · Research Master's in Psychology, University of Amsterdam · 2024

A four-week intensive course in which students independently develop a software package from start to finish in either R or Python. The course emphasises good software — not just functional software — with a focus on package structure, documentation, vignettes, and unit testing. Each week students submit a pull request on GitHub and give peer feedback, culminating in a live demonstration of their finished package.

Topics covered:

• R and Python package development
• Writing documentation and vignettes
• Unit testing
• Version control and code review with Git and GitHub