Applied Urban Science and Informatics, M.S.
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About the Program | Information Sessions | 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.
Information Sessions
Curious about where the M.S. in Applied Urban Science and Informatics program can take you? Join an information session to explore the unique opportunities within our program and how it can accelerate your career goals. Ask questions about the program, application process, and beyond.
- Tuesday, Nov 11, 2025 @ 5:30 – 6:30 PM EST — Register on Zoom
- Wednesday, Nov 19, 2025 @ 5:30 – 6:30 PM EST — Register on Zoom
- Monday, Nov 24, 2025 @ 9:00 – 10:00 AM EST — Register on Zoom
- Thursday, Feb 5, 2026 @ 9:30 – 10:30 AM EST — Register on Zoom
- Thursday, Feb 12, 2026 @ 9:30 – 10:30 AM EST — Register on Zoom
- Thursday, Mar 12, 2026 @ 9:30 – 10:30 AM EST — Register on Zoom
- Thursday, April 9, 2026 @ 9:30 – 10:30 AM EST — Register on Zoom
- Thursday, May 7, 2026 @ 9:30 – 10:30 AM EST — Register on Zoom
- Thursday, June 11, 2026 @ 9:30 – 10:30 AM EST — Register on Zoom
- Thursday, July 9, 2026 @ 9:30 – 10:30 AM EST — Register on Zoom
- Thursday, July 23, 2026 @ 9:30 – 10:30 AM EST — Register on Zoom
Ask a CUSP Student Sessions
Join these Q&A sessions to connect with current CUSP students, ask questions in real time, and learn about the M.S. program, life at NYU, and opportunities in NYC. Hear firsthand insights on coursework, research, and career development.
- Tuesday, Nov 18, 2025 @ 10 – 11 AM EST — Register on Zoom
- Tuesday, Dec 16, 2025 @ 10 – 11 AM EST — Register on Zoom
- Tuesday, Jan 20, 2026 @ 10 – 11 AM EST — Register on Zoom
- Tuesday, Feb 10, 2026 @ 10 – 11 AM EST — Register on Zoom
CUSP Masterclass Sessions
These one-hour workshops for admitted students offer hands-on learning, opportunities to engage with CUSP faculty and students, and a chance to connect with classmates before the fall semester.
- Monday, Nov 24, 2025 @ 10 – 11 AM EST — Register on Zoom
- Wednesday, Feb 18, 2026 @ 9 – 10 AM EST — Register on Zoom
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.
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.
For students new to policy, the 0-credit course Foundations in Policy, Research & Writing (CUSP-GX-8000) is offered at the start of the program during the first half of the fall semester.
Required Courses
|
ID |
Course Title |
Credits |
|---|---|---|
|
Semester 1 |
||
|
Data Governance, Ethics, and Privacy |
0 |
|
|
Introduction to Applied Data Science |
3 |
|
|
Urban Science and Policy Methodologies* |
3 |
|
|
Semester 2 |
||
|
Applied Data Science |
3 |
|
|
Machine Learning for Cities |
3 |
|
|
Urban Science and Policy Methodologies* |
3 |
|
|
Semester 3 |
||
|
Capstone Urban Science Intensive I |
3 |
|
|
Semester 4 |
||
|
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 Technology 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.
Data Visualization
Design for Innovation with AI and ML
From Correlation to Causation: Data Science for Decision Making
CUSP-GX-5000
Introduction to Programming
Urban Computing and Artificial Intelligence
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.
Advanced Spatial Analytics
Climate Risk Analysis and Urban Sustainability
Correlation to Causation: Data Science for Decision Making
Urban Decision Models
Urban Transportation and Logistics Systems
GIS
Spatialize and visualize data using advanced mapping technologies to support decision-making on urban issues.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Urban Spatial Analytics
Advanced Spatial Analytics
Data Visualization
Data-Driven Methods for Policy Evaluation
Monitoring Cities
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.
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.
Big Data Management and Analysis
City Immersion
Digital Civics for Social Innovation
Internet of Things Security
Monitoring Cities
Urban Sensing
Virtual and Augmented Reality
Urban Transportation and Logistics Systems
Sustainability
Use data to assess climate risks and guide cities in adapting to environmental changes for long-term sustainability and resilience.
Urban Technology Management
Explore how entrepreneurship in emerging technologies can transform cities envisioning new tools for governance, infrastructure, and planning.
CUSP x MOT
Design for Innovation with AI and ML
Design Thinking for Creative Problem Solving
Entrepreneurship
Technology Strategy
Project Management
CUSP
Big Data Management and Analysis
Civic Analytics and Urban Intelligence
Digital Civics for Social Innovation
From Correlation for Causation: Data Science for Decision Making
Innovative City Governance
Urban Computing and Artificial Intelligence
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 2025 cohort has 78 students, with an average age of 24, and 39% of them are female. Our students come from all kinds of academic backgrounds—see the most recent degrees and majors they earned before joining us!