Тексти для додаткового читання from the history of the origin of science

Science had its origin in some distant era when people began to show desire to know about their environment and to record what they saw. In time, studies of these observations led to the idea than nature is knowable that it operates according to "laws".

The actual birth of science took place in prehistoric times, probably in Egypt and Babylonia, more than 2000 years before our era.

But true progress in science did no begin until about the sixth century before our era, when the Greek civilization began to flourish. The next 500 years was the age of great philosophers of antiquity - Thales, Pythagoras, Aristotle, Archimedes, and others.

Archimedes discovered some of the basic laws governing mechanism and floating bodies. The Archimedes we owe the first application of mathematics to the description of nature. He was very far in advance of his time.

In the period from the Greeks to Renaissance few contributions were made to the development of science. First in importance among the scientific achievements of the Renaissance was the idea that the sun, rather than the earth, is the centre of our system of sun, moon and planets. At the beginning of the sixteenth century the prevailing idea was that of and earth - centered universe, as described by Ptolemy.

The polish astronomer N. Copernicus assumed that the earth is merely one of the planets that moved about the sun. It is hardly now to understand the courage required to advance an idea of this nature because of the great wave of opposition, which confronted Copernicus.

Our university

Our university aims to train all-round developed students, with a high degree of social consciousness and a high degree of culture and knowledge. In brief, it trains students morally, intellectually and physically. Teaching is done according to plan and the characteristic feature of teaching is as follows.

First, theory must be combined with practice. This means the students must make experiments in the laboratory and also field experiments and demonstrations in their specialties. Secondly, great attention is paid to the quality of studying. Thirdly, students must be self-reliant and they must know how to educate themselves. There are three periods a day, so that the students have time to study on their own. Students are also trained for research work and in the higher classes many of them begin to do independent research.

Every student must write a thesis or sit for state examinations. The principal purpose is to train students to be in a position to master the latest science. Physical training is given to all students. Also, many students take part in recreational sport. To be admitted to the University, students must first of all be graduates from a middle school. They must then sit for examinations.

Once admitted, the students study 5 years. In their final year they must write a thesis based on the work done in their spatiality or they must take state examinations. Every term students take examinations, in winter and in spring or summer.

One foreign language is compulsory for all students. English, German and French are the most common, although Spanish is also offered. After graduating, some of the best students are selected to remain for 3 years more to do post- graduate work, but the rest are assigned to jobs according to the needs of the State. Students pay no tuition fees and many receive maintenance grants from the state. Most students live in hostels. A wide range of clubs exists for extracurricular activities. The students themselves, through their students’ union, organize these.

COMMENTARY

in brief - коротенько

according to - згідно, у відповідності

as follows - (полягає) у наступному

to be in a position - (тут) щоб вони могли

the rest - інші

first of all - насамперед, у першу чергу

sit for examinations - здавати іспити

once admitted - якщо вони прийняті

tuition fees - плата за навчання

maintenance grants - стипендія