Read the text and notes to it.
We congratulate you as a postgraduate student of the Pridneprovsk State Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture. It is not an easy task to take a postgraduate course which usually lasts three years. During this period of time you will undertake a programme of study and research.
According to the programme of the postgraduate course you will attend lectures and practical hours, seminars and colloquiums in the core subject of your field, in philosophy and English and then, you will take qualifying exams in these subjects, prepare research publications and written reports on the work carried out with your supervisor’s assistance.
Your scientific work will be done under the supervision of a staff member. You will have to carry out an investigation and prepare a thesis on it. Your higher degree thesis should show that the research has been conducted with a high level of technical skill, that you have employed the most suitable techniques and that the procedures are really of a high academic standard. Your work should be an original contribution to knowledge and its results should have practical application.
Your research may be theoretical or applied, often both. Your scientific supervisor will assist you in many ways:
- you will discuss the progress of your work with him and get his advise in solving problems;
- he will help you to select a promising topic and to produce significant results in the appointed period of time;
- he will review the major sections of your scientific thesis and make critical comments on each draft of it before the completed work is submitted.
If your thesis meets the necessary requirements it will be accepted by the Academic Council which takes the decision to award you the higher degree.
NOTES
Stuff member: one of those working in an establishment, institution, organization;
to hold a senior doctorate: to hold a scientific degree which corresponds to the Ukrainian degree of Doctor of Science; (doctorate corresponds to the Ukrainian degree of Candidate of Science;
technical skill: practical knowledge and ability to conduct an investigation;
the most suitable techniques: methods which are best for some particular investigation;
procedure: scientifically tested order of doing things while carrying out an experiment;
to conduct research: to investigate something systematically in order to discover and interpret new knowledge;
written report: a written account of one’s achievements
to prepare a paper: to prepare a scientific contribution to be read to a learned society or to be published.
Listen to the text and answer the questions. Compare your answer with the key.
1) What is a research student supposed to do during his postgraduate course?
2) What requirements should a higher degree thesis meet?
3) What does the supervision involve?
4) How do postgraduates report the progress of their work?
5) What should the examinations taken by postgraduates prove?
6) What body has the authority to award a candidate’s degree in your country?
Part 4. Lexical exercises.
1. Give English equivalents of the following phrases:
Аспирантура; написать диссертацию; делать что-то профессионально; проводить исследования; использовать соответствующие методы и научные методики; свой вклад в науку; сдавать кандидатские экзамены; основные предметы (дисциплины) данной области знания; готовить научные публикации; готовить письменный отчет; постоянно встречаться с кем-то; обсуждать ход работы; делать значительные результаты; просматривать (читать) основные разделы диссертации; делать небольшие замечания; готовить доклады и статьи по теме диссертации; выбрать перспективную тему магистратура, магистр.
2. Fill in the blanks:
A postgraduate student undertakes a programme of.....and research under the supervision of a ….. member who holds a ……. doctorate. The …… course lasts three years during which …… the student has to carry out an …… and prepare a thesis on it. The ……degree thesis should show that the..…has been conducted with a high ….. of technical skill. The investigation should be an …… contribution to knowledge. The supervisor ……his student in many ways. The student meets him to ……the progress of his work and ……. his advice in solving……. With his help the student …… a promising topic likely to …… significant results. The supervisor reviews the …...sections of the thesis and makes critical……on each draft of it before the …… thesis is submitted. If the thesis …..the necessary requirements it is ….. by the Academic Council which takes the …... to award the post-graduate student the …… degree.
3. What sentences are the closest in meaning to the sentence from the text:
1) You will undertake a programme of study and research.
a) You will study and carry out research according to a programme.
b) You will have to carry out research.
c) You will pursue your studies in accordance with a programme.
2) The investigation has been conducted with a high level of technical skill.
a) The researcher should conduct the investigation with a high level of technical skill.
b) The investigation must be carried out with appropriate skill.
c) The investigation has been done very skilfully.
3) While pursuing your programme you will attend seminars and colloquiums.
a) After carrying out his programme the postgraduate student will attend seminars and colloquiums.
b) Before the postgraduate course the student will have to attend seminars and colloquiums.
c) While carrying out your programme you will attend seminars and colloquiums.
4) You will get your supervisor’s advice in solving problems.
a) Your supervisor will give you advice on how to solve problems.
b) Your supervisor may advice you on how to solve problems.
c) You will take his advice on how to solve problems.
4. Rephrase the sentences with reference to the text:
1) A higher thesis should provide a substantial contribution to learning.
2) Your research may involve further development of some theory, or it may deal will practical application of some experimental results.
3) You are to take exams in the major subjects of your field. These exams should prove that you have deep and wide knowledge gained through reading and study.
4) The postgraduate student is to submit the yearly report outlining the progress of his work to date.
5. What sentence best illustrates the word in italics as it is used in the text?
1) The supervisor is a member of the staff who holds a senior doctorate.
a) Who knows what the future holds for us?
b) They held the bus till we arrived.
c) They held a reception in his honour.
d) When talking to English or American visitors we should use the word “doctor” while we speak about a person holding a Ukrainian candidate’s degree.
2) … you prepare prepares on matters relevant to your investigation.
a) The plant looks O.K. on paper.
b) Have you read today’s paper?
c) He read a paper at the seminar.
d) The biology paper was difficult.
3) …the investigation has been conducted with a high level of technical skill.
a) The visitors were conducted over the institute.
b) He has conducted a lot of experiments.
c) Who is conducting the orchestra?
d) Plastic doesn’t conduct electricity.
4) He will also make critical comments on each draft of the thesis.
a) The patient’s condition is critical.
b) His critical articles are always stimulating to read.
c) At colloquiums you expert critical remarks on your report.
d) Try not to be so critical of people.
6. See if you can recall the prepositions:
1) a programmed ….. study and research, 6) period ….. time,
2) a contribution ….. knowledge, 7) study and research ….. the
3) progress ….. the work, supervision,
4) a thesis …... an investigation, 8) examination ….. a core subject,
5) a report ….. work, 9) comments ….. a draft of the thesis.
7. Give words corresponding to the following definitions:
1) a body of persons employed in an institute, laboratory, etс.,
2) an ability to do something expertly and well,
3) a method of doing something expertly,
4) the regular order of doing things,
5) a careful examination of a subject in order to find out new fact about it or a new way of describing, understanding, using it,
6) an account or description of events, experiences, achievements,
7) a scientific contribution to be read to a learned society,
8) a complete piece of scientific writing published in the periodical.
8. Complete these sentences with information from the text:
1) Postgraduates and researches undertake …..
2) While pursuing your programme you will …..
3) Your research may be …..
4) The supervision will help you to select …..
5) He will also make critical comments …..
6) With his assistance you prepare …..
7) Your thesis should meet …..
8) You submit your thesis to……
9. Read and translate:
1) You will do your research under the supervision of a staff member who holds a senior doctorate.
2) Your thesis should show that you have employed the most suitable techniques and the procedures are of a high academic standard.
3) ….you will take qualifying exams in the core subject of your field.
4) He will help you to select a promising topic and to produce significant results in the appointed period of time.
5) ….you prepare articles and papers on matters relevant to your investigation.
10. Answer the following questions:
1) Why did you decide to become a postgraduate student?
2) Why have you chosen the postgraduate course of Pridneprovsk State Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture? Who helps you in your choice?
3) Who is your scientific supervisor? What is his role in your scientific work?
4) When are you going to take your qualifying exams in English? Who helps you in this way?
5) How many scientific articles and papers have you?
6) Tell us a few words about your thesis.
Part 5. Guided Conversations
1. Answer the following questions giving your opinion, examples and details. You may use the following:
I think/believe/ feel that…..
In my opinion…..
In my view…..
1) What is your opinion about the theories in your field?
2) What is your opinion about the problem in your field?
3) What is your opinion about the experimental techniques in your field?
4) What is your opinion about the procedures you are to use in your work?
2. Use thefollowing phrases in your sentences:
I suppose that….. In my view…..
In my opinion….. I think that …..
that is to say….. for example …..
in the suggested sentences ….. to give you an example …..
3. Complete each of the following with “for example” or “numely”:
1) There are several techniques which I use in my experiments: …..
2) There are two foreign languages that I’d like to master: …..
3) My supervisor assists me in many ways: …..
4) I have to take three exams: …..
4. Complete the following sentences:
1) My field of research is …..
2) The problem I am studying concerns…..
I study…..
investigate…..
do research on…..
carry out an investigation of…..
undertake a study of…..
I am engaged in studying the activity
investigating the function
researching into the nature
the structure of
the effects
the action
3) The main aim of my investigation to find out …..
The chief purpose of my work is to discover …..
The primary objective of my research to obtain …..
to assess …..
to demonstrate …..
to show …..
to test …..
to check …..
to verify …..
4) The problem I am trying to solve is
The problem I am studying
The investigation I am carrying is interesting
fascinating
important
of practical importance
of fundamental value
involves certain difficulties
presents some difficulties
5) In my work I consult with my fellow workers
turn for help to my supervisor
turn for advice to my colleagues
discuss things with co-workers
consult standard reference books
6) I carry out to examine facts about …..
questions concerning …..
to determine the parameters of …..
make experiments to measure the rate of ……
the amount of …..
perform to obtain data on …..
to test the validity of …..
to confirm the idea
the theory that
the hypothesis
to provide evidence for…..
to reveal the causes of …..
to find out whether …..
7) I managed to give good showing
to protest strong suggesting
to provide sufficient indicating
to obtain convincing evidence which show(s) that
interesting suggest(s)
important data indicate(s)
promising
8) This evidence is certain theoretical importance
These data are of great experimental value
seem (s) to be some practical interest
9) The techniques I use/apply are as follows: …..
10) The procedure I follow in my experiments is like this: …..
11) The facilities I need for my work include: …..
5. Restate the following questions:
PATTWRN: What education did you get?
Could you tell me
Would you tell us what education you got?
I’d like to know
I wonder
1) What is your branch of science?
2) What is your field of research?
3) What are your scientific interests?
4) What activities does your programme of study and research include?
5) What are the basic requirements for a higher degree thesis?
6) How does your supervisor assist you?
7) What techniques do you use in carrying out your experiments?
8) How is your thesis developing?
6. Prepare interviews on the following topics. Use the key words in brackets to guide your conversation. You may introduce your questions using:
First of all I’d like to know …..
Then, I’m interested in …..
I also wonder …..
And finally, could you please tell me …..
1) A postgraduate programme of study and research: (study, reading, colloquium, examination, investigation, publication, thesis).
2) A higher degree thesis:
(topic, draft, originality, application, submission, acceptance, defense, award, degree).
3) Research publications:
(article, paper, report, abstract, contribution, co-author, joint publication).
4) Research:
(theoretical, background, investigation, skills, techniques, procedures, hypothesis, data, correlation, computation, facilities, equipment).
5) Supervision:
(assistance, advice, discussion, criticism, problem, review, comment, publication).
7. Present the following as a naturally connected sequence of sentences. Suggest a suitable headline for the text.
1) Then experiments are carried out to prove the hypothesis.
2) To start with, a problem is formulated.
3) And finally, if the hypothesis is confirmed, a theory is suggested to explain other phenomena.
4) After that the accepted hypothesis is either confirmed or rejected.
5) Next a hypothesis is put forward.
8. Read this information and express your opinion, using the following:
I think
I suppose
I believe
in my view
if you want to know my opinion
1) One lover of statistics estimated the number of scholars that lived ….. from the days of Romulus till our time. He found out that 90 per cent of them are our contemporaries.
2) A century ago the number of research workers was in the thousands, today there are millions. It seems likely that in the third millennium every tenth inhabitant of the globe will be engaged in science.
3) Do you know how many scientific journals are published today? What is the role of internet in the field of scientific information? What new journals do you read regularly?
9. Express your agreement, disagreement, comments, using:
I’m afraid you are wrong.
I can’t agree with you.
I’m of a different opinion.
You are quite right.
It’s absolutely correct.
I quite agree with you.
Moreover.
In addition.
It should be mentioned.
1) It is believed that science is an attitude, not a set of facts.
2) Scientific research has meaning only if it is done to reveal something unknown or vague.
10. Explain and comment, using:
I mean to say.
It seems to me.
It means.
That is to say.
In other words.
1) One must, obviously, reject the idea of knowing everything about all sciences:
specialization has become inevitable.
2) When the natural sciences are highly developed the applied sciences – engineering, medicine, agronomy, etc.- are in advantageous conditions.
3) It is not easy to evaluate the work of a researcher in the sphere of natural sciences. It is much simpler to assess the work of an engineer.
11. Using the above mentioned phrases, expressing agreement, disagreement, explanation, comment and interpretation, speak about your scientific work.
12. Interpret the following information, using:
it is essential to note
it must be mentioned
1) A researcher is interested not only in the subject he is doing but in his science as a whole.
Vocabulary: to get pleasure from explaining any of one’s problems; to give a clear and full answer to questions; to be of help with one’s knowledge and experience; to get satisfaction from merely speaking of one’s work; to see one’s place in science; to know the history of one’s science; to be enthusiastic about one’s work; to enjoy teaching one’s science to others; to devote most of one’s time to science; to have other interests outside one’s field; to keep abreast of the achievements in one’s science and other related disciplines.
2) A sceptic may erroneously conclude that practitioners of natural science have managed to cope with their problems without the help of theoretical science.
Vocabulary: to advance along its own road; to use traditional techniques; many spheres of technology, to be perfected without the help of science; to develop at a faster rate; to put forward new ideas; to translate ideas into practice; to propose new methods; to facilitate the production; to find answer to practical questions; to move ideas and experiments from laboratories; to benefit from theory; applied science; practical utilization of a scientific discovery; to have influence on practical affairs; to have effect on the applied science.
13. Read the text following questions:
TEXT. How can one expect to keep abreast of the achievements in science? Various digests, abstracts and synopses, reviews and compendiums are a must. There are yearbooks in which highly qualified researchers offer reviews of developments in large domains of science over the past twelve months. Many young researchers content themselves with studying journals covering only the last five or ten years. A result of this is the appearance of articles making old “discoveries” so the researcher wastes his energy.
QUESTIONS 1: What literature should a researcher follow to keep abreast of the developments in his field?
How should a researcher go about his reading?
Why is knowledge of English so important for a scientist?
How does the knowledge of Ukraine spreading in the world?
QUESTIONS 2: Which scientific journals are there in the world?
How do you choose articles to read – by the name of the author, by the name of the scientific centre where the author does research, by the title of the article, by the abstract at the beginning of it, by scanning it?
How regularly do you turn to literature: once a week, once a month, when you encounter difficulties, when you feel you’ve come to a blind alley, when you are to prepare a review on the latest developments in your field?
QUESTIONS 3: How important is English for you: does it mean to keep abreast of new ideas; are you learning it only in order to be able to take your qualifying exam: are you learning it to be able to communicate with foreign visitors at your academy, to translate article of interest for your colleagues, to contribute articles to foreign journals, to read your papers at international scientific meetings; are you learning it to be able to read fiction, poetry, watch films?
14. Read to these questions, answer them. Make dialogues on them.
1) Are you a postgraduate student or a holder of master’s degree?
2) What is your field of interest?
3) What higher educational establishment did you graduate from?
4) When did you get your higher education?
5) Did you work after graduating from the higher educational establishment?
6) You really liked your studies there, didn’t you?
7) What is your favourite subject?
8) Could you remember the teacher (at school or at the institute) who made you love your subject?
9) I hope you will manage to obtain some interesting results using your new approach to the problem. Good luck to you! And join me again next time. (Don’t forget to thank your supervisor very much!)
2. Learn to speak on the topic “Scientific Experiment”
Part 1. Situation dialogues.
Post graduates often take part in experimental work which is performed in the laboratories of academy.
Have a talk with someone. Make up dialogues using modifications.
Dialogues Modifications
