Improvement of layered directed acyclic graph layout in CourseViewer software

• Grant number: 16/22839-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2017
• End date: March 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Computer Science - Computing Methodologies and Techniques
• Principal Investigator: Celmar Guimarães da Silva
• Grantee: Geovana Marinello Palomo
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Tecnologia (FT). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Limeira , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The use of interactive node-edge diagrams to represent academic transcripts and course catalogs has been the main strategy used by CourseViewer software to assist students, teachers, and course coordinators in analyzing information on subjects such as credits and prerequisites. This prototype allows visual reorganization of subjects according to users' needs, such as planning future semesters or understanding the impact of a subject as a prerequisite to other course subjects. Recent changes in the layout of these graphs have introduced improvements such as reduction of edge crossings and better positioning of nodes within their respective layers. This work aims to continue these changes by means of researching and implementing algorithms that smooth edges and avoid their folds. In addition, this work aims to incorporate research results into CourseViewer, regarding the use of PQR trees for edge crossing minimization. We expect that these improvements will enable a better understanding of the academic transcript data and course catalogs shown by the software. (AU)