Students participating in the Data Science in Multi-Messenger Astrophysics NRT program will be required to complete the relevant coursework in this field.


For both the M.S. and Ph.D. students, the following courses will be required:

  • AST 5731 / STAT 5731 - Bayesian Astrostatistics (4 credits) - Syllabus
  • AST 8581 / PHYS 8581 / CSCI 8581 - Big Data in Astrophysics (4 credits) - Syllabus

Ph.D. students will also be required to complete 4 credits of AST 8990 - Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics, focusing on their Capstone research project.

With the approval of the Astrophysics Director of Graduate Studies, students may be allowed to replace either AST 5731 / STAT 5731 or AST 8581 / PHYS 8581 / CSCI 8581 with an elective course. Students may choose electives from the following list or consult with the Astrophysics Director of Graduate Studies for additional options:

  • AST 5022 - Relativity, Cosmology, and the Universe
  • AST 8001 - Radiative Processes in Astrophysics
  • AST 8011 - High Energy Astrophysics
  • AST 8990 - Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • PHYS 8611 - Cosmic Rays and Plasma Astrophysics
  • STAT 5302 - Applied Regression Analysis
  • STAT 5511 - Time Series Analysis
  • STAT 5401 - Applied Multivariate Methods
  • STAT 5421 - Analysis of Categorical Data
  • STAT 5601 - Nonparametric Methods
  • STAT 8051 - Applied Statistical Methods 1: Computing and Generalized Linear Models
  • PUBH 7460 - Advanced Statistical Computing
  • PUBH 8442 - Bayesian Decision Theory
  • CSCI 5521 - Introduction to Machine Learning (formerly Pattern Recognition)
  • CSCI 5523 - Introduction to Data Mining
  • CSCI 5525 - Machine Learning
  • CSCI 5609 - Visualization
  • CSCI 5707 - Principles of Database Systems
  • EE 8591 - Predictive Learning from Data
  • EE 5531 - Probability and Stochastic Processes
  • EE 8581 - Detection and Estimation Theory
  • EE 5239 - Introduction to Nonlinear Optimization
  • EE 5251 - Optimal Filtering and Estimation
  • EE 5542 - Adaptive Digital Signal Processing
  • EE 5561 - Image Processing and Applications

The selection of the elective course(s) must be done in consultation with the Astrophysics Director of Graduate Studies, and must be compatible with the student’s major degree requirements. 

Internship Information and Resources