The 300th Anniversary of Technical Education in Russia

CONTENTS

ПРЕДИСЛОВИЕ
PART I
UNIT 1
Text 1 A. Higher Education in Russia
Text 1 B. The 300th Anniversary of Technical Education in Russia
Text 1 C. Russia's Top Universities
Text 1 D. Moscow State University
UNIT 2
Text 2 A. Higher Education in Great Britain
Text 2 B. Entrance Procedures
Text 2 C. Higher Education in the USA
Text 2 D. Post-Secondary Education in the United States
UNIT 3
Text 3 A. The History of Russia
Text 3 B. Geography of Russia
Text 3 C. Modern Russia’s Economy and Industries
Text 3 D. Moscow
UNIT 4
Text 4 A. The United States of America
Text 4 B. Washington and New York
Text 4 C. British Parliament
Text 4 D. London
UNIT 5
Text 5 A. To Learn or Not to Learn Foreign Languages?
Text 5 B. Tourism
Text 5 C. British Library
Text 5 D. Public Libraries
UNIT 6
Text 6 A Our Planet – the Earth
Text 6 B Environmental Problems of the Earth
Text 6 C Ecological Problems of Russia
Text 6 D Pollution of Environment
PART II
UNIT 7
Text 7 A. Modern Engineering
Text 7 B. Principles of the Engineering Science Divisions
Text 7 C. Ergonomics
Text 7 D. Nanotechnology
UNIT 8
Text 8 A. Transport
Text 8 B. Who Invented the Automobile?
Text 8 C. Geographical Challenges Facing Urban Transportation
Text 8 D. Automobile Dependency
UNIT 9
Text 9 A. Computer Use and Computer Engineering
Text 9 B. Computer Inside
Text 9 C. The Motherboard
Text 9 D. The Educational Purposes of Computer Use in Russia
UNIT 10
Text 10 A. What is Electricity?
Text 10 B. Electric Power Generation
Text 10 C. More Facts About Electricity
Text 10 D. Electric Motors
UNIT 11
Text 11 A. Oil Extraction
Text 11 B. Natural Gas
Text 11 C. Gas and Power Generation
Text 11 D. Natural Gas Crisis in the USA
UNIT 12
Text 12 A. Water Pollution
Text 12 B. Water Distribution
Text 12 C. Water Purification
Text 12 D. Freezing Salt Water to Produce Fresh Water
KEYS TO EXERCISES
TEXTS FOR SUPPLEMENTARY READING
Приложение 1. Словообразование
Приложение 2.Краткие сведения по грамматике английского языка
Приложение 3. Таблица неправильных глаголов
Библиографический список

 

ПРЕДИСЛОВИЕ

Данное учебное пособие предназначено для студентов технических университетов и институтов всех специальностей, изучавших английский язык в средней школе, и составлено в соответствии с требованиями программы по иностранным языкам для неязыковых вузов. Учебное пособие рассчитано на 270 — 280 часов аудиторных занятий и внеаудиторной самостоятельной работы.

Цель учебного пособия – подготовить студентов к чтению страноведческой и профориентированной научно-технической литературы для извлечения информации, а также привить им навыки устной речи по специальной и неспециальной тематике. Для достижения этой цели авторами предлагается методика работы, основанная на использовании разнообразных способов подачи материала, систематическом повторении лексики по темам, активном применении различных коммуникативных приемов.

Учебное пособие состоит из двух частей (12 уроков), текстов для дополнительного чтения (Texts for Supplementary Reading), грамматического приложения (Grammar Reference), справочника по английскому словообразованию (Word-Building Reference).

Первая часть пособия (Part 1), состоящая из шести уроков рекомендуется для изучения студентами на первом курсе. Тематика общеобразовательных и страноведческих текстов этой части пособия носит обучающий, развивающий и познавательный характер. Языковой материал подобран с учетом функционально-коммуникативного подхода и рассматривается как средство реализации речевого общения.

Вторая часть пособия (Part 2), состоящая также из шести уроков, рекомендуется для изучения студентами на втором курсе. Тематика текстов этой части пособия носит общенаучный и общепрофессиональный характер. Целенаправленный подбор текстов, основанный на принципе максимальной доступности в смысловом и языковом отношении, призван формировать у обучаемых систему образов и понятий, относящихся к базовым профессиональным знаниям, которые активизируют познавательную деятельность студентов и способствуют приобщению к профессиональной концептуальной системе и адаптации к контексту профессионального сотрудничества на иностранном языке.

Каждый урок начинается с раздела «Active Vocabulary», содержащего наиболее употребительную общенаучную, общепрофессиональную или специализированную лексику, овладение которой повышает способность реализации речевого общения в рамках заданной компетенции.

В предтекстовых упражнениях (Pre-Text Exercises) каждого урока особое внимание уделяется расширению потенциального словаря. В связи с этим в уроках имеются упражнения на узнавание и верную интерпретацию интернациональных слов. Цель подобных упражнений развить у студентов навыки использования фоновых языковых знаний и работы без словаря.

Эффективным средством расширения вокабуляра в английском языке служит знание способов словообразования. Умея расчленить производное слово на корень, суффикс и префикс, легче определить значение неизвестного слова. Поэтому в каждом уроке имеется ряд упражнений, направленных на развитие навыков работы с производными словами. При выполнении данных упражнений авторы рекомендуют использовать справочник по английскому словообразованию, данный в приложении к настоящему учебному пособию.

Необходимо также отметить, что помимо лексической направленности, предтекстовые упражнения дают возможность ввести тему всего урока в общей дискуссии (Brainstorming), что стимулирует интерес студентов, а также, основываясь на ключевых понятиях текста, может сделать его легче для последующего восприятия. Помимо направленности на окончательный результат, предварительная дискуссия используется для того, чтобы, оставаясь в рамках конкретной версии смысла целого текста, делать логические выводы по ходу чтения.

Разнообразный познавательный и информативный материал учебного пособия ориентирован как на аудиторную, так и самостоятельную работу студентов с иноязычными текстами.

Работа с текстами предполагает развитие четырех видов чтения – изучающего, ознакомительного, поискового и просмотрового, широко представленных в каждом уроке, выбор которых определяется задачей, поставленной при работе с учебной литературой: общеобразовательными, страноведческими, общенаучными, общепрофессиональными текстами, научно-популярной информацией, а также информацией, определяющей наше поведение в повседневной жизни.

Послетекстовые упражнения (Text and Vocabulary Exercises) представлены широко и разнообразно (вопросно-ответные упражнения, обобщение прочитанного текста по ключевым словам, речевым клише, по плану, упражнения на извлечение информации из текста и др.). Подобные упражнения направлены на усвоение лексики, данной в текстах, на развитие навыков устной речи в пределах изученной тематики, что постепенно готовит студентов к аннотированию и реферированию текстов.

Все уроки завершаются заданиями творческого характера (Conversational Practice), в которых основной акцент переносится на развитие неподготовленной речи, свободной беседы. Подобные упражнения требуют от студентов участия в обсуждении определенной проблемы.

Помимо этого, учебник готовит студентов к письменному общению (Writing Practice) на английском языке. Разработанные упражнения развивают умения фиксации информации, извлеченной из прочитанных текстов. Каждый урок второй части содержит материалы, формирующие и развивающие навыки ведения деловой переписки, умения составлять резюме и служебные записки на английском языке.

Самостоятельная работа студентов заключается в повторении некоторых разделов грамматики, известных студентам из школьного курса обучения. В этом, как предполагают авторы, большую помощь студентам окажет грамматическое приложение (Grammar Reference). Однако повторение грамматического материала происходит на новом языковом материале с учетом особенностей общеобразовательного, научного стилей и общепрофессиональной лексики. Кроме того, для самостоятельной работы студентов предназначен информативный раздел для дополнительного чтения (Texts for Supplementary Reading), содержащий интересный учебный материал научного и профессионального характера.

 

Авторы выражают глубокую благодарность за ценные указания, советы, помощь и замечания рецензентам: доктору социологических наук, профессору Е.Ю.Литвиненко и доценту Л.О.Ереминой.

PART I

 

UNIT 1

Pre-Text Exercises: Word Building Active Vocabulary   Text 1 A. Higher Education in Russia Text 1 B. The 300th Anniversary of Technical Education in Russia Text 1 C. Russia's Top Universities Text 1 D. Moscow State University   Text and Vocabulary Exercises Conversational Practice Writing Practice

PRE-TEXT EXERCISES

 

1. Look at the following international words, guess their meaning and check the pronunciation:

 

System, foundation, university, population, prestigious, contribution, federation, grant, academic, programme, gymnasium, organization, equivalent, regulate, standard, professional, humanities, social-economic, discipline, project, final, practice, period

 

2. Here are some expressions with the preposition in. Translate and learn them:

 

§ to have (an) interest in	§ to be interested in	§ to be in love with
§ to be rich in	§ in the way	§ to be in need of
§ in the rain (sun, snow)	§ in the cold (heat)	§ in fact
§ in general	§ in the open air	§ in one’s opinion
§ in pencil (ink, coal)	§ in smb’s place	§ in the south (west…)
§ in (under) the circumstances	§ in short	§ in the sky
§ in time	§ in vain	§ in a way
§ in spring (winter…)	§ in the street	§ in the direction of

3. Fill in the gaps with the preposition in or the expressions above in the appropriate form:

 

1. The portrait was painted ___ oil.

2. Yesterday Ann was dressed ___ white.

3. He felt at that moment he was ___ love with the whole world.

4. They searched everywhere, but it was ___ vain.

5. ___ his ___ it was too late to publish this article.

6. The doctor advised her not to sit ___ the sun so long.

7. Everybody knew that Helen was ___ love with Bob.

8. He liked to run ___ the open air every spring.

9. She is interested ___ some collections of minerals.

10. They always keep everything ___ secret from the others.

11. He is ___ need of money. Can you lend him some?

12. ___ their opinion I am a fool to help you.

13. He tried to lift the heavy log, but it was ___ vain.

14. Ann did not know what to do ___ these circumstances.

15. They are interested ___ these problems.

16. He has no interest ___ music.

17. ___ fact we did this work ourselves.

18. They stood ___ the sun too long. The sun was pitiless ___ the heat.

 

4. Find the English equivalents for the following Russian words:

 

1. изучение	a. study	b. steady	c. student
2. обязательный	a. complete	b. compulsory	c. compound
3. включать	a. compose	b. complete	c. comprise
4. развитие	a. development	b. discovery	c. developer
5. менять	a. to change	b. chance	c. choice
6. включать	a. to conclude	b. to exclude	c. to include
7. почти	a. always	b. almost	c. already
8. предлагать	a. office	b. officer	c. to offer
9. исследование	a. search	b. research	c. reach
10. получить	a. to obey	b. to obtain	c. to object
11. уровень	a. lever	b. level	c. liver

 

5. Fill in the gaps with the correct word to complete the sentences:

 

1. Every year students ___ a specialty that includes several main disciplines: the humanities, social and physical sciences, engineering.

§ acquired

§ acquires

§ are acquiring

§ acquire

 

2. Students ___ to work out new decisions in the area of engineering.

§ are trained

§ is trained

§ was trained

§ train

3. He insisted ___ visiting his parents.

§ of

§ –

§ on

§ to

 

4. Your face seems familiar to me. We ___ have met somewhere.

§ ought

§ must

§ need

§ should

 

5. Using modern information technologies the students ___ many different problems.

§ solve

§ solves

§ had solved

§ is solving

 

6. BRAINSTORMING: Explain the meaning of the following words and phrases in English:

 

Constitution; right to education; higher education; extramural and evening courses; Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree; a thesis; the system of state scholarship and grants

WORD BUILDING

 

7. Translate the following derivative words:

 

noun + - ic → adjective

Academy – academic, economy – economic, science – scientific, energy – energetic, hero – heroic, poet – poetic, drama – dramatic

adjective + -ty → noun

Curious – curiosity, anxious – anxiety, gay – gaiety, brief – brevity, vain – vanity, simple – simplicity, similar – similarity

adjective + -ly → adverb

Similar – similarly, popular – popularly, gradual – gradually, simple – simply, international – internationally, educational – educationally, natural – naturally, historical – historically

verb + -able → adjective

To read – readable, to accept – acceptable, to agree – agreeable, to change – changeable, to enjoy – enjoyable, to apply – applicable

 

8. Form adjectives using suffixes –ic, -ous, -able:

 

Photography, sympathy, climate, democracy, humour, fame, industry, to depend, to break, to enjoy

 

9. Guess the meaning of the words in bold type:

 

Noble – nobility; change – unchangeable; to suit – suitable; artist – artistic; symptom — symptomatic; definitely – indefinitely;respectively – irrespectively;cheap – cheaply;individual – individuality;simple – simplicity;certain – uncertainty;security – insecurity

ACTIVE VOCABULARY

 

10. Read and memorize the following words and word combinations:

 

applicant –абитуриент at least —по крайней мере to be awarded – награждаться to carry out —завершить, выполнить completion – завершение, окончание compulsory – обязательный core curriculum – основная программа to defend a thesis – защитить дипломную работу (диссертацию) demand – требование due to – благодаря, вследствие education –образование; (higher education – высшее образование; secondary education – среднее образование) to elaborate – тщательно разрабатывать to ensure – обеспечивать, гарантировать evening course – вечернее обучение

extramural course – заочное обучение final —последний, заключительный; finals –выпускные экзамены frame -рама, рамка; in the framework of –в рамках, пределах to go on — продолжать higher education establishment –вуз humanities – гуманитарные наукиto pass exams – сдать экзамены primary — начальный research paper– исследовательская работа scholarship – стипендия science – наука; sciences – соб. естественные науки similar – похожий, подобный to state – излагать, формулировать to take competitive exams – сдавать конкурсные экзамены vocational school – профессиональное училище

 

11. Read and translate the following text:

 

Text 1 A

Higher Education in Russia

 

Russia’s higher education system started with the foundation of the universities in Moscow and St. Petersburg in the middle of the 18th century. The system was constructed similar to that of Germany. In Soviet times all of the population in Russia had at least a secondary education. The pursuit of higher education was and still is considered to be very prestigious. More than 50% of people have a higher education.

Russians have always shown a great concern for education. The right to education is stated in the constitution of the Russian Federation. It's ensured by compulsory secondary schools, vocational schools and higher education establishments. It is also ensured by the development of extramural and evening courses and the system of state scholarships and grants. Education in Russia is compulsory up to the 9th form inclusive. If a pupil of secondary school wishes to go on with education, he or she must stay at school for two more years.

Primary and secondary schools together comprise 11 years of study. Every school has a «core curriculum» of academic subjects. After finishing the 9th form one can go on to a vocational school which offers programmes of academic subjects and a programme of training in a technical field, or a profession. After finishing the 11th form of a secondary school, a lyceum or a gymnasium one can go into higher education. All applicants must take competitive exams. Higher education institutions, that is institutes or universities, offer a 5-years’ programme of academic subjects for undergraduates in a variety of fields.

Due to great demands of the international educational organizations, the system of education in Russia began to change over the past years. Universities began transitioning to a system similar to that of Britain and the USA: 4 years for the Bachelor’s degree (the first university level degree which is equivalent to the B.Sc. degree in the US or Western Europe) and 2 years for a Master’s degree (postgraduate higher education which is equivalent to a Master’s Degree (M.Sc, M.A.)) in the US or Western Europe. The Bachelor’s degree programmes last for at least 4 years of full-time university-level study.

The programmes are elaborated in accordance with the State Educational Standards which regulate almost 80% of their content. The other 20% are elaborated by the university itself. The programmes include professional and special courses in Science, the Humanities and Social-economic disciplines, professional training, completion of a research paper/project and passing of State final exams. Having obtained the Bachelor’s degree, students may apply to enter the Master’s programme or continue their studies in the framework of the Specialist Diploma programmes. The Bachelor’s degree is awarded after defending a Diploma project prepared under the guidance of a supervisor and passing the final exams. Holders of the Bachelor’s degree are admitted to enter the Specialist Diploma and Master’s degree programmes. Access to these programmes is competitive. The Master’s degree is awarded after successful completion of two-years’ full-time study. Students must carry out a one-year research including practice and prepare and defend a thesis which constitutes an original contribution and sit for final examinations. Nowadays as the system of higher education in Russia is going through a transitional period, the universities are still in the process of these changes; some of them offer the new system of education while others still work according to the prior 5-year system.

TEXT AND VOCABULARY EXERCISES

 

12. Find in the text the words or phrases which mean the same as:

 

§ система высшего образования	§ среднее образование
§ защитить диплом (дипломную работу)	§ заочная и вечерняя формы § образования
§ гуманитарные дисциплины	§ обязательный
§ государственные экзамены	§ степень
§ профессиональные курсы	§ точные (естественные) науки
§ выпускные экзамены	§ завершение, окончание
§ специальные курсы	§ академические предметы
§ считаться престижным	§ практика

 

13. Find in the text the synonyms to the following words:

 

§ to begin	§ to continue	§ disciplines
§ basis	§ thanks to	§ to be the same
§ research project	§ guidance	§ to suggest

 

14. Find in the text the antonyms to the following words:

 

§ to start	§ exclusive	§ equivalent
§ to fail an exam	§ to graduate	§ to unchange

 

15. Choose among the words in parentheses the one that corresponds to the text above to complete the sentences:

 

1. Russia’s higher education system started with the foundation of the universities in Moscow and St. Petersburg ___ of the 18th century.

(a. at the beginning; b. in the middle; c. at the end)

2. The pursuit of higher education was and still is considered to be very ___.

(a. modern; b. fashionable; c. prestigious)

3. The right to education is stated in the ___ of the Russian Federation.

(a. regulations; b. laws; c. constitution)

4. Education in Russia is ___ up to the 9th form inclusive.

(a. free of charge; b. recommended; c. compulsory)

5. Institutes or universities offer 5-years ___ of academic subjects for undergraduates in a variety of fields.

(a. course; b. programme; c. plan)

6. The system of education in Russia began ___ over the past years.

(a. to change; b. to make experiments; c. to research)

7. The Bachelor’s degree is ___ after defending a Diploma project.

(a. presided; b. given; c. awarded)

8. The Master’s degree is awarded after completion of ___ years’ full-time study.

(a. three; b. two; c. four)

9. Nowadays the universities are still in the ___ of these changes.

(a. process; b. state; c. system)

 

16. Give Russian equivalents to the following word combinations:

 

Continuing/further education; university education; all-round education; compulsory education; classical education; vocational training/education; technical education; many-sided education; school education; to educate, to provide an education; free education; special education; secondary education; general education; liberal education; elementary education, primary education

 

17. Give English equivalents to the following word combinations:

 

Забота об образовании; право на образование; система государственных стипендий и грантов; программа подготовки; профессиональные и специальные курсы; доступ к программам; присуждать степень; успешное окончание; переходный период; работать в соответствии с чем-либо

 

18. Read Text 1A once more. In pairs, discuss the statements below. Say what you think about them and ask your partner if he/she agrees or disagrees with you. Use the following phrases to help you:

 

Agreeing I agree with you. Yes, that is what I think too. You are right!

Disagreeing politely Yes, but don’t you think…? True, but I think… I see what you mean, but…

 

1. Russia’s higher education system started in the middle of the 18th century and it was similar to that of Germany and England.

2. Nowadays higher education is still considered to be not very prestigious.

3. The right to education should be stated in the Constitution of the Russian Federation.

4. Primary and secondary schools together comprise 11 years of study.

5. After finishing the 11th form of a secondary school, a lyceum or a gymnasium one can go into higher education without competitive exams.

6. The system of education in Russia has already changed due to demands of the international educational organizations.

7. The Bachelor’s degree programmes last at least 5 years of full-time university-level study.

8. The Bachelor’s degree is awarded after defending a Diploma project under the guidance of a supervisor and passing the final exam.

9. The Master’s degree is awarded after successful completion of two years’ full-time study.

10. Nowadays the universities are still in the process of change: some of them offer the new system while others still work according to the prior 5-year system.

 

19. Give a short summary of the following text:

 

Unified State Exam

 

This type of examination was adopted recently. It is a test which is passed at the end of 9th and 11th form. It consists of three parts: part A contains tasks where the student has to pick out the correct answer out of several, in part B the correct answer should be written in one word, and no variants are given, and in Part C the student has to write the full solution (as in mathematics) or a composition (as in literature). The answers are written on special blanks, digitally scanned, with parts A and B being checked automatically by the computer software. An excellent score ranges, depending on the subject, from 65 (mathematics) to 90 (foreign language) out of 100. What’s good for students of 11th form is that now they do not have to pass both their final school exams and entrance exams at a university. The score of several subjects is summed up, this total score is the basis of accepting a student at a university. Students now also have a chance to apply at several universities and choose one after they get to know if their score is enough to enter this or that university.

 

20. Fill in the gaps with the words from the box:

 

institutions finishing comprise to go on compulsory ensured to concern at least similar

 

The system of higher education in Russia was constructed 1 ___ to that of Germany. In Soviet times all the population in Russia had 2 ___ a secondary education. Russians have always shown a great 3___ for education. The right 4___ education is stated in the Constitution of the Russian Federation. It is 5 ___ by compulsory secondary schools, vocational schools and higher education establishments. Education in Russia is 6 ___ up to the 9th form inclusive. If a pupil of secondary school wishes 7___ higher education, he or she must stay at school for two more years. Primary and secondary schools together 8 ___ 11 years of study. After 9___ the 11th form of a secondary school, a lyceum or a gymnasium one can go into higher education. Higher education 10___, that is institutes or universities, offer a 5-years’ programme of academic subjects for undergraduates in a variety of fields.

 

 

Check your answers on p.279.

 

Consult the TEXTS FOR SUPPLEMENTARY READING and complete the information about the system of Russian higher education (Text 1) and about the impact of education on society (Text 2). Be ready to discuss the information you have read.

 

22. Read the following text to learn about the history of technical education in Russia:

 

Text 1 B

The 300th Anniversary of Technical Education in Russia

 

Engineering education in Russia started with organization in Moscow of School for Mathematical and Navigational Crafts. The date of the School foundation should be fixed by the Highest Decree of Emperor Peter the First on January 14th, 1701 (old style) or January 27th (by the new style). In fact, the School started a few months earlier and was housed in Kadashevskaya Sloboda.

From the very beginning one of the teachers was Andrei Danilovich (Henry) Farwhurson, a well-known mathematician and astronomer, professor of the Aberdeen University (Scotland). Farwhurson stayed in Russia for the rest of his life and mastered the Russian language. In this language he wrote books on mathematics, geodesy, cartography, astronomy. He may be lawfully named as the first Russian professor of mathematics. Five months later, in June of 1701 the School was relocated into the building of the Sukharev Tower where classrooms and an observatory had been specially set up.

Soon among the teachers appeared Leonti Magnitzky, son of a peasant from Tver Gubernia, who had himself mastered reading and writing and later graduated from the Slavonic-Greek-and-Latin Academy. In 1703 Magnitzky wrote the famous textbook on «Arithmetics» which covered arithmetic, application of arithmetic and algebra to geometry and trigonometric calculations and tables. The third part of the textbook contained information on sea astronomy, geodesy and navigation. The textbook was in wide use for over 50 years and all Russian sea officers of the epoch were studying with it.

It is known that mathematics, and later physics, were taught at the Slavonic-Greek-and-Latin Academy founded in 1687 in Zaikonnospassky Monastery, situated in Moscow on Nikolskaya Street. The first institution of higher learning in Russia, Kiev Seminary, dates back to the early XVII century. The entire student body of the School was planned to contain 500 people but at certain periods the number reached 700. Children of all social levels were allowed to be enrolled, with the exception of serfs. The study programme went through 3 stages: primary school taught reading, writing and some grammar, secondary classes taught arithmetic, geometry and trigonometry, and the higher (specialized) classes taught geography, astronomy, navigation and other subjects. The School thus comprised elements of both secondary and higher education. Navigators practiced their craft on sea ships. As a means of cultural cultivation, the School had its own theatre where a group of actors invited from Danzig staged and performed plays with students.

The School did not have a fixed term of study. Some students managed to finish the programme in 4 years, while for some it took 13. There were no end-of-the-year exams and students moved from class to class according to their personal performance. The age of the students varied from 15 to 33. The students were stimulated by money allowances. The most affluent or talented were sent to internships abroad. Upon their arrival back home they were subjected to strict examination, sometimes by Peter the Great himself. As early as 1715 the School had trained about 1200 specialists. Its graduates put up an honorable performance in the sea battle of Gangut (1714) where the Russian fleet won its first victory, and were part of the Bering expedition which discovered the straits separating Asia and America. Among the graduates of the School were A. Chirikov who explored the north-western edge of North America, A. Nagaev, S. Malygin, D. Laptev, Admiral N. Senyavin, historian and public figure V. Tatischev, architect I. Michurin, who invented with A. Nartov the wood processing machine, and many others.

Materials collected by the School graduates were used to make the first atlas of the Russian Empire in 1745. In 1715 a part of the higher- programme students and faculty was transferred to Saint Petersburg to become a nucleus of the Maritime Academy founded by Peter the Great. Students of the higher classes took practical training in the fleet and were publicly known as the Sea Guards. Upon completion of the training programme the students were awarded the rank of officers.

The School for Mathematical and Navigational Crafts was liquidated in 1752. Its higher classes were joined with the Maritime Academy which was transformed into Gentry Sea Corps that existed in Saint Petersburg up to 1917. Its graduates contributed many brilliant lines into the history of the Russian Fleet. Among them are outstanding scholars — engineers A. Krylov, I. Bubnov and many others. After the October Revolution the M. Frunze Higher Naval School, still functioning today was founded on its basis and in the same building. Soon following the Navigational School, Artillery and Engineering School, and later, in 1703, Moscow Engineering School for 100—150 students were founded. Sometimes students from this latter school were directed to the School for Mathematical and Navigational Crafts for instruction in arithmetic and geometry.

In 1713 Petersburg Engineering School was organized which in 1723 was combined with the Moscow school. Creation of these schools was the beginning of an all-Russian network of institutions for general education of the first and second levels. The significance of the School for Mathematical and Navigational Crafts for the history of engineering education in Russia is great. It has educated not only naval specialists but also civil engineers, mechanics, architects, as well as specialists of many other professions. It has a full right to be regarded as the first higher technical education institution in Russia, and the date of its foundation — January 14 (or January 24th by new style), 1701 — as the starting date of technical education in Russia.

 

 

TEXT AND VOCABULARY EXERCISES

 

23. Answer the following questions:

 

1. What did engineering education in Russia start with?

2. Who was one of the teachers in the School for Mathematical and Navigational Crafts?

3. What books did he write?

4. Was Leonti Magnitzky a teacher or a student of the Slavonic-Greek-and-Latin Academy?

5. When did Leonti Magnitzky write the famous textbook on arithmetic?

6. What materials were used to make the first atlas of the Russian Empire in 1745?

7. Did students of the higher classes take any practical training?

8. What happened to the School for Mathematical and Navigational Crafts in 1752?

9. What is the significance of the School for Mathematical and Navigational Crafts for the history of engineering education in Russia?

24. Find in the text the words or phrases which mean the same as:

 

§ с самого начала	§ писать учебники по…
§ по-праву	§ широко использоваться
§ элементы среднего и высшего образования	§ культурное развитие
§ ремесло, умение § известно, что... § гражданские инженеры	§ семестр § инженерное образование § основание

 

25. Match each word in A with the Russian equivalent in B:

 

A	B
1. anniversary	a. известный, знаменитый
2. well-known	b. закрепленный
3. to be housed	c. полный, целый
4. to master	d. основание, фундамент
5. to graduate from	e. охватывать
6. to cover	f. оканчивать вуз
7. foundation	g. овладевать (знаниями…)
8. entire	h. размещаться
9. fixed	i. годовщина

 

26. Complete the sentences according to Text 1B:

 

1. Engineering education in Russia ___.

2. The school started a few months earlier and ___ in Kadashevskaya Sloboda.

3. Farwhurson stayed in Russia and ___ language.

4. In 1703 Magnitzky wrote ___.

5. The textbook was ___ for over 50 years.

6. The study programme went through 3 stages: ___.

7. The school did not have ___ of study.

8. As early as 1715 the school had trained about ___.

 

Consult the TEXTS FOR SUPPLEMENTARY READING and complete the information about the great Russian scientist M.V. Lomonosov and his contribution to the development of engineering education in Russia (Text 3). Be ready to discuss the information you have read.

 

28. Read the text below to find answers to the given questions:

 

Text 1 C

Russia’s Top Universities

 

1. What requirements do Russia’s top universities have?

2. How is higher education provided?

3. Where are most of Russia’s universities located?

4. What can you say about the foundation and reputation of the best universities?

5. What is known about a new tendency in the sphere of higher education?

 

Russia’s top universities have very competitive entry requirements, and special entry exams are held each year. Students must apply for studies according to the standard competitive system. Higher education is provided by public and non-public (non-State) accredited higher education institutions. The academic year lasts from September 1 to the middle of June everywhere, with long summer vacations from July 1st to August 31.

Most of Russia’s universities are located in large cities. Moscow State University, which was founded in 1755 and has about 28,000 students and 8,000 teachers, enjoys the highest reputation. The Russian People’s Friendship University in Moscow has about 6,500 students and 1,500 teachers, and St. Petersburg State University has about 21,000 students and 2,100 teachers.

Many Russian universities also offer distance education and provide courses for specific professional needs. However, such systems are usually less developed than in the US and other Western European countries.

TEXT AND VOCABULARY EXERCISES

 

29. Find in the text the words or phrases which mean the same as:

 

§ требования	§ проводить экзамен
§ привлекательность	§ качество
§ учебный год	§ иметь самую высокую репутацию
§ дистанционное образование § учреждение высшего образования § менее развитый	§ вступительные экзамены § согласно стандарту § летние каникулы § курсы для определенных профессиональных потребностей