The Master of Science in Urban Data Science is a 36-credit, STEM-designated program that
prepares students to harness the power of data to understand and address complex urban
challenges. Offered by NYU Tandon’s Center for Urban Science and Progress (CUSP), the
program blends advanced technical training with interdisciplinary coursework in public policy,
data analytics, machine learning, and urban systems.
Students begin with a strong foundation in core topics and then customize their learning
through a flexible selection of electives. To help guide academic and career development,
CUSP offers a set of interdisciplinary Knowledge Tracks, which are curated pathways that
support in-depth exploration in high-impact domains, including artificial intelligence (AI),
complex systems, geographic information systems (GIS), policy analytics, smart
infrastructure, sustainability, and urban technology management. These tracks are not formal
concentrations: rather, they provide a flexible framework for students to tailor their studies
across multiple areas of interest, or to focus deeply in one, depending on their goals.
Set in the living laboratory of New York City, the program emphasizes real-world learning
through immersive, project-based experiences. At its core is a nine-month Capstone project,
where students work in teams to solve real urban problems in collaboration with industry
partners, public agencies, and CUSP-affiliated research labs. This engagement allows
students to apply their technical and analytical skills in a professional setting, receive
mentorship from practitioners, and produce results that directly impact the public or private
sector. Through the Capstone, along with ongoing civic engagement and access to NYC’s
urban innovation ecosystem, students graduate with the technical skills, domain knowledge,
and project experience needed to succeed in a wide range of careers, including roles in civic
technology, urban planning, data science, public policy, and the broader tech and private
sectors. Whether improving data-driven decision-making in government or leading product,
analytics, and research initiatives in industry, graduates are prepared to drive innovation
where data and urban systems intersect.
Capstone Urban Science Intensive II: Data Analysis and Communications
3
Electives
Select courses from the Electives section below.
18
Total Credits
36
1
If students take both Civic Analytics (CUSP-GX 7043) and Innovative City Governance (CUSP-GX 7053) one will count as an elective.
Electives
Students can customize their education with 18 credits of CUSP electives. CUSP has organized them into Knowledge Tracks below to help students align electives with their career goals. These overlapping tracks are only intended as a guide; students are not required to choose electives associated with the listed tracks exclusively.
As part of their 18 electives, students may take up to 6 credits of non-CUSP courses from any NYU School except the School of Professional Studies upon approval from the CUSP Education Team.
Knowledge Tracks
The lists of electives below is not comprehensive—it reflects the latest offerings, with new elective courses introduced regularly. Students may take 18 credits of elective offerings throughout the MS program from the list below, which may be updated occasionally.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
This track focuses on mastering AI and machine learning techniques to address urban challenges and create more efficient, equitable, and resilient cities.
This track focuses on modeling urban environments to assess climate risks, optimize transportation infrastructure, and analyze complex city-scale interactions for sustainable, resilient urban planning.
Understanding Urban Subsurfaces: Identifying, Integrating, & Operationalizing Relevant Data Streams
3
Policy Analytics
This track focuses on the intersection of data, technology, and urban policy. It explores how data drives transformation by supporting land use planning, transportation, housing, and sustainability policies. It emphasizes the role of civic technology in empowering citizens through smart cities, open data, and digital tools.
This track focuses on developing and implementing smart city infrastructure and emerging technologies' role in improving city services and residents' quality of life.
This track focuses on using data to assess climate risks and guide cities in adapting to environmental changes for long-term sustainability and resilience.
This track explores how entrepreneurship in emerging technologies can transform cities, envisioning new governance, infrastructure, and planning tools.
The Center for Urban Science + Progress (CUSP) at NYU Tandon offers a distinctive Internship-for-Credit program, enabling full-time graduate students to apply interdisciplinary skills in real-world environments. This supervised program integrates fieldwork with academic learning, equipping students to tackle relevant challenges while gaining valuable industry experience. Students are responsible for securing an eligible internship and obtaining adviser approval, as CUSP does not place students directly.
Upon completion, students submit comprehensive reports reflecting on their contributions and insights, deepening their understanding and enhancing their career prospects. This opportunity enriches their academic journey and propels them towards impactful careers.
Capstone Project
During the 6-credit, two-semester Urban Science Intensive I and II courses, students collaborate in a multidisciplinary environment with sponsors from city agencies, private companies, startups, or academic institutions to address pressing urban challenges in transit, public health, and sustainability. Students play a key role in leveraging data to drive meaningful change in the city.
Capstone Urban Science Intensive I: Project Management (CUSP-GX 7103)
marks the initial stage of this sequence. During this phase, students are immersed in a real-world, off-campus work environment where they work in teams to define the scope of their projects. This course emphasizes developing essential project management skills, including problem identification, stakeholder engagement, timeline management, and team coordination. Students focus on creating actionable plans and establishing effective communication strategies with project stakeholders. By the end of the semester, the goal is for students to develop a comprehensive project plan as the foundation for the subsequent course.
Building upon the groundwork established in the first course, Capstone Urban Science Intensive II: Data Analysis and Communications (CUSP-GX 7113)
focuses on applying advanced data science techniques to refine solutions to the identified urban challenge. In this phase, students engage in data collection, analysis, and visualization tasks to generate actionable insights. The final capstone course strongly emphasizes the communication of complex data, as students are expected to present their findings and proposed solutions through a professional client presentation and a poster showcase. This final step in the capstone sequence ensures that students can effectively convey the impact and practicality of their solutions in real-world applications.