(a) Texas A&M University at Galveston is a special purpose institution of higher education for undergraduate and graduate instruction in marine and maritime studies in science, engineering, and business and for research and public service related to the general field of marine resources. The institution is under the management and control of the board of regents of The Texas A&M University System, with degrees offered under the name and authority of Texas A&M University at College Station. The board of regents of The Texas A&M University System shall have the authority to designate Texas A&M University at Galveston as a branch of Texas A&M University; however, such designation, if made, shall not change the role and mission of Texas A&M University at Galveston as specified in this section.
(b) Texas A&M University at Galveston shall be a research institute supporting the marine sciences and oceanography programs at Texas A&M University and The University of Texas at Austin. Research endeavors benefitting the academic strength of Texas A&M University and The University of Texas at Austin or the economic strength of the State of Texas shall be conducted, with emphasis on establishing and maintaining an internationally recognized research institute to be named the Texas Institute of Oceanography. The Texas Institute of Oceanography may also contract with other institutions of higher education to provide research and other related services. Texas A&M University at College Station and The University of Texas at Austin are authorized to offer upper-level and graduate courses in marine sciences and oceanography at the Texas Institute of Oceanography that are supportive to their marine sciences and oceanography academic programs. Funding for research should be from private sources, competitively acquired sources, and appropriated public funding.