The Botanical Research Institute of Texas and Texas Christian University recently announced an education and research partnership that enhances and expands TCU’s delivery of its undergraduate and graduate programs by adding plant science and field research to its curriculum, a press release stated. Both are in Fort Worth.
Undergraduate and graduate students in TCU’s College of Science & Engineering and College of Education will work with BRIT’s Ph.D. botanists and research staff performing plant science and field research to help satisfy their degree requirements.
“BRIT’s unique experiential learning coupled with its research labs and herbarium add a new learning dimension to our educational programs,” stated Dr. Nowell Donovan, TCU provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, in the press release. “Graduates from these TCU schools will be better prepared to make substantial contributions to their employers and to the environment as they enter the fields of their choice.”
The agreement provides the ability for qualified BRIT research scientists to develop and teach classes through appointment as TCU adjunct faculty. They will also help direct undergraduate research and after gaining Associate Graduate Faculty status, serve on graduate thesis committees.
The program is expected to be ready for its first students in fall 2018.
“In our 30th year, BRIT is realizing its true potential as a regional research and education institution with the signing of this MOA,” stated Dr. Ed Schneider, BRIT’s executive director, in the press release. “We are aggressively pursuing academic and public partnerships that will advance conservation knowledge to the next generation of leaders.”
There is a joint signing ceremony for the agreement scheduled for Monday.
