Primarily intended for Astronomy/Astrophysics majors, the goal of this class is to prepare students for professional research in Astrophysics. The format will be a set of research-methods intensive mini-projects, culled from active areas of inquiry in the field, with the aim of exposing students to data analysis, databases and database manipulation, major Astronomical surveys, space-based observatories and observation planning, statistics, and self-generation of research ideas. Prior experience in basic programing is preferred.