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

部落学院和大学计划（TCUP）的一个目标是提高为美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，可以扩大学生在STEM领域追求具有挑战性、回报丰厚的职业的机会，为当地相关领域的研究提供机会，并鼓励教师群体超越传统课堂，寻求智力和专业发展。该项目直接符合这一目标，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体系。坐牛学院（SBC）已经开始开发环境科学（ENS）项目的理学硕士学位（MS）。该项目的目标1是通过发展理学硕士学位，提高高等教育学院学生在所有学术水平的研究经验的质量，从而提高学生的招聘、保留和毕业率。这将通过提高所有法国高等教育学院学生的研究经验来实现。目标2是为立岩社区在STEM领域培养一支多元化的劳动力队伍，这些劳动力具有领导技能，并在水质、污染科学、生态学和气候变化等不同领域接受过使用最先进技术的培训。一个队列模型将用于学术和研究活动。不同的队列将讨论不同的研究主题。目标3是通过创新的招聘和留用计划、国际研究计划和适合文化的课程，将STEM领域的兴趣扩展到更广泛的学生。这将通过中学科学院项目、哥斯达黎加的一个研究项目、文化相关课程和其他材料的开发来完成。

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.