Education in the field of Civil Engineering in Russia and in the Murmansk region.

Young people who are in their last year at school are planning the next stage in their education. The variety of courses at universities and colleges is extensive but many young people don't have any clear idea about the career they wish to fol­low. Those who are primarily motivated by wealth tend to choose law, business administration, economics or accountancy. Those in­terested in fame may choose the arts, the stage, or the media. Some years ago a career in engineering was not often recom­mended with any enthusiasm by school teachers, politicians, TV, newspapers or teenage magazines. But situation has changed greatly and engineers tend to be held in higher regard. It is no wonder, that many engineering degree courses find it easy to attract students.

There are a lot of Technical Universities within Russia and abroad the main task of which is to train engineers, to popularize technological achievements, to direct technological researches.

The specialized field of Civil engineering in Russia was adopted by the Ministry of Education of Russian Federation on March, 3, 1994. The course of study of the future Civil engineers lasts for 5 years. After 5 years of training the graduates are qualified as Civil Engineers. The objects of study of such specialists include the building materials and building components; the process of building: function and ability; construction works and the development of construction works; the science of building; modern management in the construction industry; property management; quantity surveying; building surveying; construction project management and construction management; civic design.

In1994, when the specialized field of Civil Engineering was adopted in Russia there were some educational establishments training such specialists, located mainly in central Russia though there was and still is a great need for them in many regions of our country. Besides, every region, and the Murmansk region as well, needs civil engineers who are aware of local conditions of a certain region and are capable of taking them into consideration in their work. Russian universities that teach civil engineering are located in central Russia and of course they do not consider the local aspects of surveys, expertise, designing, construction and reconstruction of the objects in the Murmansk region. All these facts must be familiar to the specialist who is going to apply skills and knowledge in this field, otherwise coming back after graduating from central universities newly-made engineers will have to fill in the gaps in their knowledge to become more suitable for the environment they operate. When teaching industrial and civil construction in Murmansk, it is more feasible to pay attention to the local conditions, concentrating on certain technical solutions, to acquaint the students with the problems of the region and to have practical training during their studies. This is the wisest way to educate professionals in this field.

The syllabus of training of civil engineers was worked out according to the federal educational standard and includes the studying by the students the following groups of subjects:

• General humanities and social-economic subjects

• General mathematics and natural sciences

• General professional subjects

• Special subjects

• Optional subjects.

General humanities and social-economic subjects include history, foreign languages (English or German), physical training, Russian language, sociology, philosophy, economics and some others.

General mathematics and natural sciences are as follows: higher mathematics, computer science, physics, chemistry, general ecology, hydrology, geology etc.

The students also study general professional subjects such as descriptive geometry, mechanics, electrical engineering and electronics, materials science and technology, strength of materials and so on. As for special subjects they are: hydrotechnical construction; municipal construction services and engineering; building materials engineering; structural design.

During the first two years, students study general subjects. They begin to specialize in the field of Civil engineering in the 3^rd year. In the course of studies students gain the knowledge and skills in architectural designs. They get appropriate knowledge of detail planning and town-planning, and skills in the area of planning process, in the field of structural designing connected with complex designing of interiors, buildings and systems. They have appropriate knowledge of physical and technical problems of functioning and preservation of buildings in order to equip them properly and fully for inner comfort and climate protection. They are familiarized with a profession of an engineer and his role in the society, which is especially helpful in planning the projects that consider historical and cultural values as well as social factors. Every academic year students do practical work that follows the courses. The five -year training includes lectures, practical lessons, laboratory work and design classes. The laboratory work trains students in accurate recording of observations, drawing of logical conclusions and presentation of scientific reports. Besides it gives students an understanding of experimental methods and familiarizes them with the characteristics of engineering materials, equipment and machines. While studying at the university students have examination periods (twice within the academic year) and the finals including thesis.

The practical work forms a very important part of course, so the students obtain the required standard in the laboratory course work before they graduate. There are three types of students` practical work: educational, professional and, before the theses. All students must do this practical training.

At the end of the 5^th year of study the students defend their theses, take finals, and are qualified as Civil Engineers.

Task 10. Underline the sentences that best sum up the main idea of each part and use the key words from them to make a plan of the text in order to retell it according to your plan.

Task 11. Find Russian equivalents to the following:

Extensive; to be held in higher regard; to direct technological researches; to be adopted; construction works and the development of construction works; the science of building; property management; quantity surveying; building surveying; construction project management and construction management; civic design; to be aware of local conditions of a certain region; to consider the local aspects of surveys, expertise, designing, construction and reconstruction; to be familiar to the specialist; to fill in the gaps in their knowledge; to become more suitable for the environment they operate; feasible; to work out; to gain; detail planning and town-planning; planning process; physical and technical problems of functioning and preservation of buildings; to train students in accurate recording of observations, to draw logical conclusions; the characteristics of engineering materials, equipment and machines; to take finals.

Task 12 Find English equivalents to the following words and phrases in the text:

Cтроительное проектирование; физические и технические проблемы функционирования и сохранения зданий; оборудование и машины; сдавать гос.экзамены; характеристики технических материалов; делать логические выводы; обучать студентов точно записывать наблюдения; здания и сооружения и их устройство; процесс планирования, связанный с комплексным проектированием внутренней части; рабочее проектирование; градостроительство; архитектурное проектирование; получать, приобретать; сопротивление материалов; материаловедение и технология строительных материалов; электротехника и электроника; общие математические и естественно-технические предметы; разрабатывать; ознакамливать студентов с проблемами региона; целесообразный; восполнять пробелы в знаниях; учитывать местные аспекты землемерной, экспертной оценки, проектирования, строительства; реконструкция объектов; знать местные условия определенного региона; гражданское проектирование; управление строительством; строительный менеджмент; менеджмент строительного объекта, проект строительства; составление сметы; строительная съемка геодезическая; управление недвижимым имуществом; архитектурное проектирование и технология; строительные работы; усовершенствование строительных работ; составная часть здания.

Task 13. Replace the words in brackets with the corresponding English words.

5. The variety of courses at universities and colleges is extensive but many young people (не имеют четкого представления) about the career they wish to fol­low.

6. There are a lot of Technical Universities within Russia and abroad (чья основная задача) is to train engineers, to popularize (технологические достижения) and (руководить технологическими исследованиями).

7. The course of study of the future Civil engineers (длится) 5 years.

8. After 5 years of training the graduates (получают квалификацию)as Civil Engineers.

9. (Объекты изучения) of such specialists include строительные материалы и составные части здания); (строительные работы и усовершенствование строительных работ, составление сметы).

10. Students study modern management in the construction industry; (архитектурное проектирование, сопротивление материалов; материаловедение и технологию строительных материалов)

11. They are familiarized how to carry out building surveying; construction project management and (строительный менеджмент).

12. In1994, when the specialized field of Civil Engineering was adopted in Russia there were some educational establishments (обучающие) such specialists, (находящиеся) mainly in central Russia though there was and still is a great need for them in many regions of our country.

13. Besides, every region, and the Murmansk region as well, needs civil engineers who (знают) of local conditions of a certain region and (способны) of taking them into consideration in their work.

14. Russian universities that teach civil engineering are located in central Russia and of course they (не учитывают) the local aspects of (съемки на местности, экспертной оценки, проектирования, строительства and реконструкции) of the objects in the Murmansk region.

15. All these facts must be familiar to the specialist who is going ( применить навыки и умения) in this field, otherwise coming back after graduating from central universities newly-made engineers (придется) to fill in the gaps in their knowledge to (соответствовать) for the environment they operate.

16. When teaching industrial and civil construction in Murmansk, (целесообразно) to pay attention to (местные условия), concentrating on certain (технических решениях), acquaint the students with (проблемами региона)) and have practical training during their studies.

17. The students study general professional subjects such as (начертательную геометрию, механика, электротехника и электроника, сопротивление материалов, материаловедение и технология строительных материалов) and so on.

18. As for special subjects they are: (гидротехнические сооружения, службы коммунального строительства, building materials engineering; проектирование зданий).

19. In the course of studies students gain the knowledge and skills in (архитектурном проектировании) that meet both aesthetic and technical requirements.

20. They get appropriate knowledge of (рабочем проектировании and градостроительство), and (навыки в области)of planning process, in the field of structural designing connected with complex designing of interiors, buildings and systems.

21. They have (достаточные) knowledge of physical and technical problems of functioning and preservation of buildings (чтобы оборудовать) them properly and fully for inner comfort and climate protection.

22. Every academic year students (проходят практику) that follows the courses.

23. While studying at the university students (сдают сессию) twice within the academic year) and the finals including thesis.

24. The practical work forms (важную часть курса обучения), so the students (приобретают) the required the standard in the laboratory course work before they graduate.

25. At the end of the 5^th year of study the students (защищают диплом, сдают гос.экзамены) and are qualified as Civil Engineers.

Task 14. Complete the following sentences:

1. The variety of courses at universities and colleges is extensive but many young people don't have any clear idea ….

2. …… was not often recom­mended with any enthusiasm by school teachers, politicians, TV, newspapers or teenage magazines but situation has changed …. and engineers tend…. .

3. There are a lot of Technical Universities within Russia and abroad the main task of which is...

4. The specialized field of Civil engineering in Russia …. by the Ministry of Education of Russian Federation on March, 3, 1994.

5. The course of study of the future Civil engineers lasts …..

6. The objects of study of such specialists include ….

7. The Murmansk region needs civil engineers who are aware …

8. Russian universities that teach civil engineering are located in central Russia and of course they do not consider ….

9. All these facts must be familiar to the specialist who is going to apply skills and knowledge in this field, otherwise ….

10. When teaching industrial and civil construction in Murmansk, it is more feasible to pay attention to …

11. The syllabus of training of civil engineers was worked out …. and includes the studying by the students the following groups of subjects ….

12. General humanities and social-economic subjects include ….

13. General mathematics and natural sciences are as follows …

14. The students also study general professional subjects such as ….

15. As for special subjects they are ….

16. During the first two years, students study …. .

17. They begin to specialize in the field of Civil engineering …..

18. In the course of studies students gain …. in architectural designs.

19. They get appropriate knowledge of … , and skills in the area of … , in the field of … connected with …

20. They have appropriate knowledge of … in order to equip them properly and fully for inner comfort and climate protection.

21. They are familiarized with a profession of an engineer and his role …, which is especially helpful in planning the projects that consider historical and cultural values as well as social factors.

22. Every academic year students do … that follows the courses.

23. The five -year training includes …

24. The laboratory work trains students …. , …. .

25. Besides it gives students … and familiarizes them ….

26. … forms a very important part of course, so the students …. before they graduate.

27. There are three types of students` practical work: ….

28. All students … this practical training.

29. At the end of the 5^th year of study the students … their theses, … finals, and … as Civil Engineers.

Task 15. Find in the text answers to the following questions. Work in pairs. Use such expressions as: I think/suppose/ consider/believe; to my mind/ in my opinion; as far as I remember/ know/ understand; Let me see...; How shall I put it?; Well, let me think..; Let's put it this way...; I'll have to think about that; The best way I can answer that is…; That's a good question.; That's a difficult question. Let me see...

1. Why is it a problem for some young people to plan the next stage of their education? What helps make your choice?

2. Why is it easy for some university courses to attract students?

3. There are different kinds of higher schools in our country and abroad. What kinds of schools do young people prefer to study at? Why?

4. What is the main task of Technical Universities?

5. When was the specialized field of Civil Engineering adopted in Russia?

6. How long does the course of study last?

7. How are the graduates qualified?

8. What are the objects of study of such specialists?

9. Why was it decided to establish this specialized field at our University?

10. Was the beginning of teaching wastewater engineers in Murmansk practically proved?

11. What subjects do the students study? Give example for each group of subjects.

12. What knowledge do students gain in the course of study?

13. What does the five year of training include?

14. What does laboratory work / practical work train students in?

15. What are the examples of students` research work? Have you ever taken part in research activities? Would you like to continue your research work?

16. What do students receive after graduation?

17. The status of engineer in society is not high, isn’t it? Why? What is your view on the state of education for the civil engineers?

18. Highly educated people do much for their country, don’t they? What helps to make a person educated? Why do you think it is important that everyone should be educated?

Task 16. Explain in your own words the following expressions:

• Technological achievements

• Extensive

• To be held in higher regard

• Building components

• To be aware of local conditions

• Hydro technical construction

• Municipal construction

• Detail planning

• Town-planning.

Task 17. Find in the text and put down key words to speak about:

• Objects of study of civil engineers.

• Feasibility of training civil engineers in the Murmansk region.

• Education of civil engineers in Russia/ in the Murmansk region.

• Training of civil engineers at the MSTU.

• Importance of the profession of a civil engineer.

Task 18. Speak on the following topics:

• Education in the field of civil engineering.

• What helps students to master their future profession.

• Education of civil engineers in Russia/ in the Murmansk region.

• Training of civil engineers at the MSTU.

• Importance of the profession of a civil engineer.

Task 19. Act out dialogues according to the following situations:

1. You have read an advertisement for applicants who want to enter Murmansk State Technical University at the faculty of Natural sciences specialized field of Civil engineering. Discuss with your friend attractions and drawbacks of this speciality, dos and don'ts for entering, if you meet the requirements of the advertisement, perspectives after graduating.

2. You have recently graduated from the Murmansk State Technical University with honor and you are invited to hold the interview for a job in a very good company. Discuss with an interviewer personal details - full name, address, phone number, date of birth, marital status, your work experience (if you have any) with a brief description of your responsibilities, your educational background - the schools and colleges you went to and the examinations you passed. Mention any profess­ional qualifications that you have, details of any training, some personal particulars which are relevant (foreign lan­guages, voluntary work, interests and so on). Ask about your future responsibilities, salary, perks and prospects.

3. Imagine that you are a dean of the faculty of civil engineering who is making a speech in front of the applicants. Give briefly some facts about reasons of foundation, skills and abilities needed for this profession, future responsibilities. Answer applicants’ questions.

Task 20. Write an abstract of the chapter, express the idea of the chapter in some sentences.

Task 21. Translate the following sentences.

1. Закончив один из университетов находящихся в средней полосе России, новоиспеченным инженерам пришлось восполнять пробелы в знаниях.

2. Если бы вы учли местные условия, концентрируясь на техническом решении этой проблемы, строительные работы бы уже начались.

3. Что заставило вас заняться этой проблемой.

4. Считается, что местные особенности принимаются во внимание при технической экспертизе и геодезической съемке.

5. Он сказал, что расчет рабочей нагрузки на фундамент был рассчитан не правильно, и это привело к разрушению сооружения.

6. Представители этой фирмы не захотели, чтобы он участвовал в проектирование аквапарка.

7. К сожалению, я не могу вам помочь. Сейчас обсуждается предварительная смета проекта. Обсуждение будет закончено к 2 часам. Как только будут, известны результаты, я дам вам знать.

8. Знания, полученные в университете, применяются ими при разработке нового типа строительства.

9. Я уже две недели работаю над докладом о местных особенностях землемерной съемки и экспертной оценки, но работа еще не закончена. Кажется, я закончу ее к среде.