Our University Методические указания для студентов I курса (английский язык)

Read and translate the text about the history of Petersburg State Transport University.

1 FROM THE HISTORY OF OUR UNIVERSITY

Petersburg State Transport University is one of the oldest educational institutions in Russia. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious engineering schools of our country. It was founded in 1809 and was called the Institute of Engineers of Means of Communication. The founder of the Institute and its first Rector was Augustin Betancourt (1758–1824), one of the greatest mechanical scientists of his time. Betancourt supervised planning and construction in SaintPetersburg, Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod and other Russian cities. He was the designer of the Kamenno-Ostrovsky Bridge in Saint-Petersburg and the famous Manege building in Moscow and other structures.

In the 19th century the Institute was the first higher educational institution for transport and construction in Russia. Its professors and graduates have contributed a lot to the development of Russian technical sciences.

Nowadays, the University is one of the leading technical schools of our country. It trains specialists in railway engineering as well as in the fields of electrical engineering and construction work. Future engineers, builders, designers, researchers and managers of railway transport and civil engineering receive a broad education in humanities, and basic and professional subjects.

Many outstanding scientists have worked within the walls of our University. Among its graduates of our University were D.I. Zhuravsky, who designed the first large railway bridge in Russia; P.P. Melnikov and N.O.Kraft, who built the first lengthy Russian railway from Petersburg to Moscow; academicians G.O.Graftio and B.E.Vedeneyev – builders of hydro-electric power stations; and academicians V.N.Obraztsov, G.P.Peredery and E.Paton. The famous Russian scientist D.I. Mendeleev worked at our University: he headed the chemical laboratory and gave lectures to students.

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Today, the educational process is provided by the highly skilled teaching staff. Many of the University’s departments are headed by distinguished scientists, outstanding figures in the field of science and technology and experienced transport workers. The scientific achievements of the University are recognised both in Russia and abroad. Our scientific library is one of the oldest university libraries in Russia. It was founded about 200 years ago and since then it has gathered a unique collection of specialised editions and manuscripts on railway transport, architecture, construction work, and exact and applied sciences.

At the University there are seven faculties: the Civil Engineering1

Faculty, the Railway Operation Faculty, the Mechanical Engineering Faculty, the Electro-Mechanical Faculty, the Electrical Engineering2

Faculty, the Bridge and Tunnel Construction Faculty, the Economics and Social Management Faculty. There are three forms of education: full-time, part-time and distant education.

In its long history our University has always focussed on the importance of close links to different higher educational schools. It has contacts with partners in Russia and abroad. Among these are the University of Durham (United Kingdom), Universities of Dresden, Stralsund and Augsburg (Germany), University of Helsinki; Mikkeli and Saimaa Universities of Applied Sciences (Finland) and others. Annually, the University sends its students to study abroad and receives students from many different countries. The University graduates3 work successfully in Russia and all over the world. The University has agreements of cooperation in the sphere of education and scientific research with more than 30 foreign partners. The University has Double Degree (DD) programmes5 with the leading European universities, and is involved in an active scientific work as a member of TEMPUS, LOGNET, and the Baltic Management Studies projects.

The University is famous for its traditions, such as the matriculation ceremony4, Victory Day, which is celebrated as Memorial Day, the graduation

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ceremony. The University keeps its fine traditions which strengthen the corporate spirit and unite professors, teachers, employees and students.

Notes:

1civil engineering – строительство

2electrical engineering – электротехника

3a graduate (n) [’grædjuit] – окончивший высшее учебное заведение to graduate (v)[’grædjueit] – окончить высшее учебное заведение

4matriculation ceremony – посвящение в студенты.

I. Match a line in A with a line in B and C to make sentences about the history of the University. Practise saying them:

II. Complete the sentences, using the words and word combinations from the text:

1.Many outstanding scientists …, among them … .

2.They designed and constructed … .

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3.The founder of our University was …, who was … .

4.There are many … at our University, and our scientific library … in Russia.

5.At the University there are seven full-time faculties. They are … .

6.Our University is famous for its traditions, such as … .

III. Tell a partner:

-what you knew about our University before?

-what new facts about our University you have learnt?

IV. Get ready to tell your friends about the University, its history and traditions.

2 STUDENT LIFE

Victor is a first-year student at the University. Read Victor’s letter about his life at the University. Do you think he is happy with his student life?

Dear Anna,

I’m so happy to tell you that I have started University this year! I am now a student at Petersburg State Transport University! Do you remember I left school last year and decided to be a railway engineer like my father? My father was a student of our University, too. He was one of the best students of the Mechanical Engineering Faculty. I was lucky to pass my examinations and now my wish has come true: I am a first-year student!

I really like my student life, though it is not always easy for me to study at the University. You know, I was not very good at mathematics at school, so I have to work hard now. Drawing and physics take a lot of time, too. And I realise how important it is for me now to attend all the lectures and classes regularly.

By the way, do you remember my friend Maxim? We went to school together and now we are in the same group! He studies hard and always does all the drawings and lab works on time. He is a true friend and he is always happy to help me with my homework in physics and maths. We do sports together. We play football in the same team.

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First year students study lots of general and some special subjects such as Chemistry, Descriptive Geometry, Mathematics, Computer Studies, Physical Training, Foreign Languages, Philosophy, Management, Economics and many others. We have to attend all the lectures and seminars, work in specialised computer classes and different laboratories, take part in student conferences, and give presentations on the problems they are interested in. Some students give them in English at the University Science Week Conferences! It is really interesting! My friend Alex, for example, is very good at English. He speaks English fluently and he regularly gives his presentations in English. Now he is a fifth-year student. We became friends not long ago, but we have a lot in common. We do sports together and work in the Students’ Scientific Society of our faculty.

As for me, I am not very good at English. I have to pay more attention to it. We have English lessons twice a week, and I try to do my best in the lessons, but I think I need some more practice in spoken English. I have to speak English as often as possible. So, this year I am doing my extra English course here, at the University too. We really enjoy our classes here!

At the end of the term we have to take our tests and exams. We usually take exams twice a year in different subjects, and we regularly write test-papers. It is very important to be prepared for the exams so we often study in the reading halls of our University. I hope we’ll pass the exams successfully and I won’t fail in mathematics.

You see, I have already learnt a lot of things about life in our University and I like it! Write to me soon.

Yours,

Victor.

I. So, you have read the letter. Victor is quite happy with his student life, isn’t he? And what about you? How do you find it here, at the University?

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5.Are you …?

6.Is your friend always happy to …?

7.Do you attend …?

VI. Complete the following conversations:

Now, practise the questions and the answers with a partner. Make up your own questions about student life.

Answer your partner’s questions.

VII. Work in pairs:

A. Ask a partner: B. Answer your partner’s questions:

а) where he/she is from;

b) if he/she has many friends at University;

c) if he/she is interested in maths/physics/philosophy, etc. d) what his/her favourite subject is;

e) how many lectures a day they have;

f) how many languages he/she speaks;

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g) if he/she works in computer classes/laboratories/reading halls, etc.; h) if he/she borrows books from the University library;

i) what he/she usually does in his/her free time; j) if he/she is happy with his/her student life.

VIII. Make more short conversations, using the facts from Victor’s letter/from your own student life. Practise your dialogues.

IX. Act out the dialogues.

OVER THE PHONE Alex: Hi, Paola, this is Alex. How are you?

Paola: I’m fine, and you, Alex? You weren’t at University yesterday. What happened?

Alex: Oh, actually, I didn’t feel well yesterday, so I stayed at home. Paola, do you know what classes we have tomorrow?

Paola: Well, there are three classes tomorrow. The first starts at 10.45, it’s a History lecture, then we have a lecture on Maths and a practical class in Maths.

Alex: So, the first class is a History lecture at 10.45? Paola: Right.

Alex: What’s the number of the lecture hall? Paola: It’s 1-313.

Alex: OK, thank you, Paola. See you tomorrow. Bye.

Paola: Bye.

AT THE STUDENT CAFE A: Excuse me, can I take this place?

B: Yes, of course.

A: Thank you. I’ve been here for about twenty minutes waiting to get some food. Now I’ve got only ten minutes for lunch left. Do you always have such long queues [kju:z] here?

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B: Oh, yeah, every day, especially during the break between the second and the third classes. Are you a first-year student?

A: Yes, I am. And you?

B: I’m in my second year. What faculty do you study at?

A: The Bridge and Tunnel Construction Faculty. My speciality is Industrial and Civil Engineering. What about you? What’s your speciality?

B: Electric Supply.

A: It’s … mmm ... the Electro-Mechanical Faculty, isn’t it? B: Yeah, you’re right. Do you like studying here?

A: Oh, I really like being a student, but sometimes it’s not easy. Some subjects are really difficult, especially Descriptive Geometry. And I’m not very good at it.

B: You haven’t had Strength of Materials yet, it’s much more difficult. I don’t think I’ll pass the exam in it.

A: Yeah, I’ve heard about that subject. But don’t worry, you still have quite a lot of time to prepare for this exam. Oh, the bell… I have to go to a Maths lecture. See you.

B: Bye.

X. Make up your own dialogues on your student life. Act your dialogues.

3 FACULTIES

THE FACULTY OF ECONOMICS AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT

The faculty of Economics and Social Management was founded in 1994. It is the newest faculty in the University.

The faculty trains1 specialists in financial management, marketing, economics of transport and construction2, personnel work in transport and construction companies.

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