New BSc Data Science for Global Challenges: AI and data science for a better world

Why is WUR launching the Data Science for Global Challenges programme?

‘Data science is used increasingly in research within Wageningen’s domain. Our educational offerings follow research developments. Until now, students could take individual data science courses, tracks, or master’s programmes with a data science component. Now, we are also launching a broad BSc programme focusing on data science and AI. This new programme prepares students for various master’s programmes in this field.’

There are several Dutch universities offering Data Science programmes. What sets WUR’s programme apart from the other universities?

‘Many universities approach Data Science primarily from the perspective of computer science, mathematics, or statistics. At WUR, we take a different approach. Here, data science is directly linked to global challenges such as climate change, health, and food security. This way, students immediately see the societal impact of their studies.

The programme revolves around applying data science and AI in research on today’s major global challenges. We aim to train people who bridge the gap between content and the methods needed to study these challenges. Our lecturers have made such connections themselves: some have specialised in Wageningen’s domain from a Computer Science background, while others originally worked in a specific content area and have since become data science experts.’

How will you ensure that graduates from this programme have sufficient knowledge of all these different fields?

‘This bachelor’s programme includes four compulsory courses that provide substantive knowledge of Wageningen’s domains. For example, students will learn about key topics in cell biology. We hope that, after completing this data science programme, students feel comfortable discussing these subjects with domain experts. They don’t need to be specialists in these disciplines to be part of a multidisciplinary team. After this programme, they will be able to talk with a biologist or a nutrition specialist about the challenges they face and explore how AI and data science can help address them.’

What MSc programme is a suitable follow-up for this BSc?

‘WUR offers various master’s programmes that integrate data science with a substantive field, such as bioinformatics, biosystems engineering, geo-information sciences, and Data Science for Food and Health. The BSc Data Science for Global Challenges programme seamlessly aligns with these master’s programmes.

Through elective courses in the third year, students can specialise further, allowing them to continue into a non-data-science master’s programme at WUR or a more “hard-core” data science master’s at another university. This bachelor’s programme provides access to many different follow-up trajectories, depending on the student’s choices. After all, not everyone knows their exact interests while still in high school.’

Is there much interest from prospective students?

‘In November 2024, we participated in WUR’s Bachelor Open Day for the first time. Dozens of students and their parents visited our booth. They were particularly interested in the combination of data science and life sciences. At that time, we had not yet received official accreditation, so students couldn’t enrol yet. We have since been accredited, and the first applications are now coming in.

On 15 March, we will be present at the WUR Open Day again, followed by more informational events. Many people are still unaware that data science can be applied in this way, and we hope to change that.’

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