Applied Urban Science and Informatics, M.S.
ON THIS PAGE
About the Program | Admission | Curriculum | Knowledge Tracks | Our Students
About the Program
Want to change the world? Start with your city.
The M.S. in Applied Urban Science and Informatics program at the Center for Urban Science + Progress (CUSP) at NYU Tandon offers graduate students the opportunity to contribute to our mission of making cities more equitable, resilient, accessible, and responsive—ultimately improving the quality of urban life. It provides a solid foundation in data science, policy, and emerging technologies, coupled with the opportunity to apply these skills through collaborations with our extensive network of partners across industry, academia, government and nonprofit sectors.
Using New York City as a living laboratory, students dive into the forefront of interdisciplinary urban science research and ask critical questions about their environment. Whether modeling energy efficiency to combat climate change, deploying sensors to assess flooding risks, or developing data-driven policies to enhance pedestrian safety, students gain the skills necessary to solve urban challenges and drive meaningful change.
Admission
The M.S. in Applied Urban Science and Informatics program only accepts applications for admission in the Fall semester. For the most up-to-date application deadlines, be sure to visit the Graduate Application Deadlines page.
Information Sessions
The information sessions below are open to both admitted students and prospective students. Join us to get an inside look at student life at CUSP and receive tips on preparing a standout application. Visit NYU Tandon's Graduate Admissions Events page for more opportunities to connect.
Admission Requirements
The M.S. in Applied Urban Science and Informatics program welcomes students from all disciplines with rigorous academic training and a passion for problem-solving in an urban context. Applicants are recommended to have familiarity with:
- Single-variable calculus
- Basic programming (Python and R)
- Statistics and probability
- Geographic information systems (GIS) and spatial analytics
- Fundamental computer science principles
For prospective students without technical backgrounds, we recommend two pathways below to develop these prerequisite skills. If you have questions about your qualifications, contact cusp.education@nyu.edu.
- Urban Computing Skills Lab: CUSP offers an 8-week online summer course for admitted students at no additional charge to strengthen their programming and statistical skills.
- NYU Tandon Bridge program: This 21 or 28-week prepares individuals without STEM backgrounds for graduate degrees at NYU Tandon.
Learn more about the admission requirements at NYU Tandon.
Financial Aid
Explore financial aid resources below to help you fund your education at the Center for Urban Science + Progress:
- CUSP Rising Scholars: Incoming students may be awarded a scholarship to cover the tuition cost of 3 credits for their first semester.
- CUSP Experiential Scholars: After completing two semesters, enrolled students may apply for this scholarship to support internships or guided research.
- Merit Scholarships: All students admitted to NYU Tandon School of Engineering are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships.
Curriculum
The M.S. in Applied Urban Science and Informatics degree is a two-year, 36-credit program comprising a core curriculum—18 required credits and a non-credit lab—and 18 elective credits enabling students to customize their coursework to their career goals. Up to 6 of the elective credits may be taken outside CUSP from any NYU School, except the School of Professional Studies, with approval from the CUSP Education Team.
Required Courses
| ID | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | ||
| CUSP-GX 7000 | Data Governance, Ethics, and Privacy | 0 |
| CUSP-GX 7013 | Introduction to Applied Data Science | 3 |
| CUSP-GX 7043 CUSP-GX 7053 |
Urban Science and Policy Methodologies* | 3 |
| Semester 2 | ||
| CUSP-GX 7013 | Applied Data Science | 3 |
| CUSP-GX 7033 | Machine Learning for Cities | 3 |
| CUSP-GX 7043 CUSP-GX 7053 |
Urban Science and Policy Methodologies* | 3 |
| Semester 3 | ||
| CUSP-GX 7103 | Capstone Urban Science Intensive I | 3 |
| Semester 4 | ||
| CUSP-GX 7113 | Capstone Urban Science Intensive II | 3 |
* The 3-credit Urban Science and Policy Methodologies may be taken during the Fall or Spring semester: Civic Analytics and Urban Intelligence AND/OR Innovative City Governance.
Experiential Learning
Students in the M.S. in Applied Urban Science and Informatics program engage with data at every stage, from acquisition to visualization. Through course assignments and extracurricular activities, CUSP fosters collaboration between students and local government agencies, non-profits, private companies, and community organizations, empowering them to apply their skills to address real-world urban challenges.
- Capstone Projects: During the two-semester Urban Science Intensive, students collaborate with a sponsor—a city agency, industry partner, entrepreneur, or researcher—to leverage data-driven insights on a pressing urban challenge.
- Data Dives: CUSP partners with global and New York City-based organizations to host week-long hackathons.
- Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP): These multi-year, multidisciplinary projects are open to all NYU students and emphasize innovative and research-driven education.
Knowledge Tracks
To help students align electives with their career goals, the M.S. in Applied Urban Science and Informatics program offers seven overlapping Knowledge Tracks: AI, Complex Systems, GIS, Policy Analytics, Smart Infrastructure, Sustainability, and Urban Management. These serve as a guide, and students are not limited to choosing electives from one track exclusively.
AI
Master AI and machine learning techniques to address urban challenges and create more efficient, equitable, and resilient cities.
| CUSP-GX-8093 | Data Visualization |
| MG-GY-8813 | Design for Innovation with AI and ML |
| CUSP-GX-8863 | From Correlation to Causation: Data Science for Decision Making |
| CUSP-GX-5000 | Introduction to Programming |
| CUSP-GX-9113 | Special Topics in Urban Science and Informatics Urban Computing and AI |
| CUSP-GX-8843 | Virtual and Augmented Reality |
Complex Systems
Model urban environments to assess climate risks, optimize transportation infrastructure, and analyze complex city-scale interactions for sustainable, resilient urban planning.
| CUSP-GX-8043 | Advanced Spatial Analytics |
| CUSP-GX-8123 | Climate Risk Analysis and Urban Sustainability |
| CUSP-GX-8153 | Complex Urban Systems |
| CUSP-GX-8863 | Correlation to Causation: Data Science for Decision Making |
| CUSP-GX-8953 | Urban Decision Models |
GIS
Spatialize and visualize data using advanced mapping technologies to support decision-making on urban issues.
| CUSP-GX-5053 | Geographic Information Systems (GIS) |
| CUSP-GX-8033 | Urban Spatial Analytics |
| CUSP-GX-8043 | Advanced Spatial Analytics |
| CUSP-GX-8093 | Data Visualization |
| CUSP-GX-8103 | Data-Driven Methods for Policy Evaluation |
| CUSP-GX-8113 | Monitoring Cities |
| CUSP-GX-8853 | Understanding Urban Subsurfaces: Identifying, Integrating, and Operationalizing Relevant Data Streams |
Policy Analytics
Explore how data-driven insights can support policies related to land use planning, transportation, housing, sustainability, and the role of civic technology in empowering citizens through smart cities, open data, and digital tools.
| CUSP-GX-8833 | City Immersion |
| CUSP-GX-7043 | Civic Analytics and Urban Intelligence |
| CUSP-GX-8013 | Data-Driven Methods for Policy Evaluation |
| CUSP-GX-8823 | Digital Civics for Social Innovation |
| CUSP-GX-5053 | Geographic Information Systems |
| CUSP-GX-7053 | Innovative City Governance |
| CUSP-GX-8133 | The Citizen and the City |
| CUSP-GX-8053 | Urban Decision Models |
Smart Infrastructure
Develop and implement infrastructure for smart cities, and explore the role of emerging technologies in improving city services and residents' quality of life.
| CUSP-GX-8083 | Big Data Management and Analysis |
| CUSP-GX-8833 | City Immersion |
| CUSP-GX-8823 | Digital Civics for Social Innovation |
| CUSP-GX-8143 | Internet of Things Security |
| CUSP-GX-8113 | Monitoring Cities |
| CUSP-GX-8063 | Urban Sensing |
| CUSP-GX-8843 | Virtual and Augmented Reality |
Sustainability
Use data to assess climate risks and guide cities in adapting to environmental changes for long-term sustainability and resilience.
| CUSP-GX-8123 | Climate Risk Analysis and Urban Sustainability |
| CUSP-GX-8153 | Complex Urban Systems |
| CUSP-GX-8063 | Urban Sensing |
| CUSP-GX-8033 | Urban Spatial Analytics |
Urban Technology Management
Explore how entrepreneurship in emerging technologies can transform cities envisioning new tools for governance, infrastructure, and planning.
| CUSP x MOT | |
| MG-GY-8813 | Design for Innovation with AI and ML |
| MG-GY-9013 | Design Thinking for Creative Problem Solving |
| MG-GY-7703 | Entrepreneurship |
| MG-GY-8673 | Technology Strategy |
| MG-GY-8203 | Project Management |
| CUSP | |
| CUSP-GX-8083 | Big Data Management and Analysis |
| CUSP-GX-7043 | Civic Analytics and Urban Intelligence |
| CUSP-GX-8823 | Digital Civics for Social Innovation |
| CUSP-GX-8863 | From Correlation for Causation: Data Science for Decision Making |
| CUSP-GX-7053 | Innovative City Governance |
| CUSP-GX-9113 | Special Topics in Urban Science and Informatics: Urban Computing and AI |
| CUSP-GX-8133 | The Citizen and The City |
Our Students
The M.S. in Applied Urban Science and Informatics program is highly interdisciplinary, welcoming students from diverse backgrounds with strong quantitative skills and a passion for urban challenges.
The Fall 2024 cohort has 81 students, with an average age of 24, and 44% of them are female. Explore the diverse range of undergraduate degrees and majors they represent below!
Quick Links
Maurizio Porfiri
Anton Rozhkov
Analaura Tostado
MS in Applied Urban Science and Informatics, 2022