Last modified: 2024-04-08
Abstract
The growing demand for data scientists in the global labour market and the Netherlands has led to an increase in data science and artificial intelligence (AI) master programs offered by universities. However, there is still a lack of clarity regarding the specific skill sets of data scientists. This study aims to address this issue by employing Correlated Topic Modeling (CTM) to analyze the content of 41 master programs offered by 11 Dutch universities and an interuniversity combined program. We assess the differences and similarities in the core skills taught by these programs, determine the subject-specific and general nature of the skills, and provide a comparison between the different types of universities offering these programs. Our analysis reveals that data processing, statistics, research, and ethics are the core competencies in Dutch data science and AI master programs. General universities tend to focus on research skills, while technical universities lean more towards IT and electronics skills. Programs with a broad data science and AI focus generally concentrate on data processing, information technology, electronics, and research. In contrast, those with a subject-specific focus prioritize statistics and ethics. This research contributes to a better understanding of the diverse skill sets of Dutch data science graduates, providing insights for employers, academic institutions, and prospective students.