Enhancement of Research Capabilities for Students and Faculty through Development of a Master of Science Degree Program

部落学院和大学方案(TCUP)的一个目标是提高为本国土著学生服务的特定高等教育机构的科学、技术、工程和数学(STEM)教学和研究能力。扩大这些机构的研究能力扩大了学生在STEM领域追求具有挑战性的、有回报的职业的机会，提供了可能与当地相关的领域的研究性学习，并鼓励教师群体将目光投向传统课堂之外的智力和专业成长。该项目与这一目标直接一致，而且将在直接影响印度国家生活质量的地区增加环境科学领域的知识。Sitting Bull College(SBC)已经开始在环境科学(ENS)项目中开发理科硕士学位(MS)。该项目的目标1是通过发展理科硕士学位，提高ENS学生在所有学术水平的研究体验的质量，从而提高学生的招生、留住和毕业率。这将通过改善所有ENS学生在攻读硕士学位过程中的研究体验来实现。目标2是为Standing Rock社区培训一支在STEM领域的多元化劳动力队伍，他们具有领导技能，并接受过在不同领域使用最先进技术的培训，如水质、污染科学、生态和气候变化。学术和研究活动将采用队列模式。不同的群体将针对不同的研究主题。其结果将是一支受过教育的劳动力队伍，他们在不同的EN领域接受过最新技术的培训。目标3是通过创新的招聘和保留计划、国际研究计划和适合文化的课程，将对STEM领域的兴趣扩大到更广泛的学生。这将通过中学科学学院计划、哥斯达黎加的一项研究计划以及开发与文化相关的课程和其他材料来实现。

A goal of the Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP) is to increase the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) instructional and research capacities of specific institutions of higher education that serve the Nation's indigenous students. Expanding the research capacity at these institutions expands the opportunities for students to pursue challenging, rewarding careers in STEM fields, provides for research studies in areas that may be locally relevant, and encourages a faculty community to look beyond the traditional classroom for intellectual and professional growth. This project aligns directly with that goal, and moreover will increase the body of knowledge in the field of environmental science in regions that directly impact quality of life in Indian country.Sitting Bull College (SBC) has begun the process of developing a Master of Science Degree (MS)in the Environmental Science (ENS) Program. Goal 1 of this project is to increase recruitment, retention, and graduation rates of students by enhancing the quality of ENS student experiences in research at all academic levels through the development of a Master of Science Degree. This will be done by improving the research experience for all ENS students from the development of an MS degree. Goal 2 is to train a diversified work force in STEM fields for the Standing Rock community that has leadership skills and is trained in the use of state-of-the-art technology in diverse areas, such as water quality, pollution science, ecology, and climate change. A cohort model will be used for academic and research activities. Different cohorts will address different research topics. The result will be an educated work force trained in the latest technology in diverse areas of ENS. Goal 3 is to expand interest in STEM fields to a wider spectrum of students through innovative recruitment and retention programs, international research programs and culturally appropriate curricula. This will be accomplished by Middle School Science Academy programs, a research program in Costa Rica, and development of culturally relevant course and other materials.