Would you like to learn how to program and develop smart computers and systems? Are you eager to understand AI, and how the technology behind it works? In the bachelor's programme Data Science & Artificial Intelligence you gain a solid basis in computer science, mathematics and cognition You are going to study how to get insights from data and how to build smart machine capable of performing complex tasks. This requires human intelligence in order to provide useful applications for society.
Prof. dr. Marcello Bonsangue Boot
Professor Computer Science
'Data science and artificial intelligence algorithms are designed to make decisions by insights derived on data. The bachelor Data Science & Artificial Intelligence at Leiden University will let you understand how these algorithms work, where they can be applied, and why they can solve problems that were considered impossible until now.'
The focus of this programme is on computer science, and its applications in Artificial Intelligence. You will receive a strong basis in computer science and mathematics combined with machine learning, cognitive science and human-robot interaction. Additionally, you will learn to develop and program systems based on knowledge of the human brain.
The first year will give a thorough grounding in the mathematical and computer science foundation of data science and artificial intelligence.
You will get familiar with the basis of logical reasoning and will be introduced to programming, algorithms, databases and math. In addition, academic skills and methodology are an essential part of the first-year programme. Special attention is paid to social and ethical issues related to data science and artificial intelligence.
The second year is dedicated to artificial intelligence and data science: search and decision making, cognitive and behavioural data science, autonomous and multi-agent systems, statistics, human-robot interaction, and machine learning. In addition, students deepen their knowledge in computational models and algorithms.
The third year consists mostly of electives and the bachelor’s project. Students can be assigned to research groups at the institute, and can follow a minor at Leiden University, Delft University of Technology or Erasmus University Rotterdam.
The knowledge with a Data Science & Artificial Intelligence diploma can be used to make computers and systems function in better ways and is used in many sectors: for example in business, where machine learning chatbots are used in customer service, in the production of automated news messages or in healthcare where automation ensures accurate diagnoses. Examples of careers in data science & artificial intelligence are:
International students should have an equivalent of a Dutch pre-university education (VWO) diploma with a comparable level on Mathematics. The equivalent of Dutch VWO Mathematics can be acquired through:
Location: Leiden
year programme, 180 ECTS
English-taught programme established
Dutch-taught AI specialisation established
maximum tutorial size