As someone who programs for a hobby, I have been interested in data science for years. That is why I specifically sought a degree course in this field. The new “Data Science and Artificial Intelligence” (DSAI) degree course offered by Fresenius in cooperation with the DHBW Mannheim really stood out. Here, data science is not only offered as a field of study alongside a business information technology degree, but as an independent subject that is also being combined with the subject of AI. And since I am more interested in the technical side than the business aspect, the choice was clear for me.

On the labor market – and especially in many IT professions – the unique range of subjects covered on a dual study program and the practical experience it provides through the practical phases is more highly valued than the theory taught in the classic degree courses. And since practical experience is essential, particularly in my field of expertise, I opted for a dual study program.

What I find particularly interesting is the history of IT – the fact that the science world was even able to build the very first computer at all. Then there is the ingenuity it must have taken to elevate this invention to the level we see today over the course of 77 years. Computers are commonplace for all of us these days, but the more I learn about them in the course of my studies, the more I am amazed. I am interested in data science because it is becoming ever more important to work with data and information and there are countless application areas, making it a very powerful tool. I hope to be able to solve complex problems myself with the knowledge I acquire in this field.

And the subject of artificial intelligence is also very interesting at the moment in view of current developments. In the course of my studies, I am looking forward to learning more about the internal processes of AI applications such as ChatGPT, DALL-E, or Google Bard and finding out how this technology will be used in practice in the future.

I eventually want to qualify as a data scientist and take advantage of the numerous opportunities to better myself in my field. I can well imagine studying for a master’s once I complete my bachelor’s degree course. At the moment, however, I am still keeping my career options open. I am confident that I will find a wide range of professional opportunities with the knowledge I have acquired.