English for post-graduate students. Entrance exam. Учебное пособие

It is clear that development of communication skills and participation in a research seminar are linked to an important professional activity: going to a conference and speaking about one’s work. Students are explicitly prepared for this experience in a special session on ‘conference culture’, in which they are given pointers about how to propose and present a paper, and are taught the conventions of an oral text. They are encouraged to use the conference as a way of raising their individual profiles, and as a springboard for future publications.

The delicate issue of networking is also addressed. The session is also an appropriate opportunity to plant in their minds the idea of running a conference themselves, thus further enhancing their organizational skills. Conference activity forms an important part of the career of any academic; for postgraduates it is an important way of participating in academic debate, and ‘showcasing’ their own work.

By the end of the second year of the program it can be seen together: the postgraduates are taught to make practical progress in the number of key areas of academic endeavor, with a view to having a significant body of experience by the time they complete their degrees. Introducing this information in the second year also helps to focus students’ minds on the key question of whether or not these postgraduates pursue academic careers, they will almost certainly be required to undergo an interview in order to obtain gainful employment.

It is therefore crucial to present them with opportunities to hone their skills in this area. By this stage of the programme they will have had experience of delivering their material in a public forum, and will have made an attempt to develop their presentation skills; they should also have had other opportunities to defend their ideas, making a substantial, original contribution to knowledge in a specific area [17].

Orenburg State University

Orenburg State University is the largest institute of higher education in the Orenburg region. It is a leading training, research and cultural center carrying out advanced educational services at all levels.

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To provide the best education, Orenburg State University (OSU) recruits highly skilled professionals. More than 127 staff members hold Doctor of Science degrees and more than 699 Candidate of Science degrees.

The OSU student body on main campus is composed of more than 16,000 students! Thus, the university provides professional training with a strong focus on scientific research and up-to-date technology usage information. Students have at their disposal an Internet Center equipped with high speed transmission links, modern laboratories, and a scientific library that serves more than 27,000 visitors.

Furthermore, the university’s structure includes: 4 scientific and development institutes and various scientific laboratories, and centers that conduct research in over 33 disciplines relevant to science and engineering development. OSU, for the convenience and advancement of its students, maintains a botanical garden, a vivarium, and meteorological station. Lastly, there are five successfully operating Doctoral Dissertation Councils at OSU.

One of the university’s main priorities is to always offer intensive and prolific opportunities for OSU students. For example, OSU students can learn to create innovative work in the classroom and then take their learning into practice at local enterprises. Orenburg’s leading companies and organizations then provide work placements for OSU students, thus, leading to the successful careers of many of our students.

Friendships between OSU and international partners in Germany, Denmark, USA, France, Malta, Czech Republic, Japan, Kazakhstan and other CIS members allow our graduates to adapt to the changes of a globalizing world.

Orenburg State University creates a special educational environment for students because of the sustainability of our strong traditions, our continually striving academic potential, and the development and modernization of facilities for social, cultural and sport activities.

Lastly, OSU’s social infrastructure combined with the Students Center

Palace of Culture «Russia», Sports Center «Penguin» (swimming pool included), Sports and Health-Improving Gym, Students’ Polyclinic, and the Accommodation

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and Food Services facilities all aim to ensure that both students and staff have a comfortable living and working environment on campus.

► Here are some texts with exercises that can help to get ready for oral

communication.

Postgraduate studies in England

Postgraduate studies at an English University can be undertaken in the form of a taught course or by research.

Taught courses lead to one of three qualifications: Certificate, Diploma or Master. Many can be taken on either a full-time or part-time basis. Part of the taught programme is made up of coursework with other students (lectures, seminars, tutorials and laboratory work). The remainder involves independent study for a supervised dissertation or project to be submitted by a particular date. Both elements are examined. In some cases, satisfactory performance in the first part will determine whether students can proceed to the second. A number of departments require students to undertake a taught course before assessing their ability to pursue research.

The principal research degrees are Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Research degrees involve independent study, assisted by a supervisor, and the production of a thesis. The essential difference between the Master and Doctoral levels lies in the quality of a successful PhD thesis, which must be the result of original research, an addition to knowledge and worthy of publication either in full or in an abridged form. The award of either degree also requires a pass in an oral examination. Postgraduate students are granted the

Master’s degree after a minimum of one or two years of advanced studies. The degree of Doctor of Philosophy regarded as the highest one is awarded after a minimum of two or three years’ research. Tuition fees for postgraduates usually cover registration, tuition, examination and membership of the Students’ Union.

They do not include accommodation, other living expenses or re-examination fees. For international students who can study in England a good grasp of the English language is essential for coping with the intellectual demands of postgraduate study, in whatever field. Equally, competence in the language helps

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postgraduates adjust more easily to life in the country and cope with the demands of living in a new environment [18].

Words and Word Combinations to be memorized a full-time basis – очная форма

tuition fees – оплата обучения

a part-time basisзаочная форма

to accommodate - приспосабливаться a taught course – курс обучения

accommodationразмещение, расположение to undertake a course – начать проходить курс living expenses – затраты на проживание

to pursue research - заниматься (приступить) научной деятельностью to cope with smth – справляться с чем-либо

Master of Philosophy in (MPhil) – степень магистра to involve - включать

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)- кандидат (доктор) наук to adjust to smthприспосабливаться к чему-либо to study for a PhD - обучаться на степень

to assess the abilitiesоценивать способности to awardнаграждать

to grantполучать грант, награждать, предоставить the award of a degree – степень в качестве награды to require - требовать

intellectual demandsинтеллектуальные требования requirement - требования

to submit a dissertationпредставить диссертацию new environmentновая атмосфера

►Answer “What - questions” on the text

1)What are the forms of postgraduate study in England? 2) What is the taught programme made up of? 3) What are the principal research degrees? 4) What do research degrees involve? 5) What is the difference between the Master and

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Doctoral levels? 6) What does the award of either degree require? 7) What do tuition fees cover? 8) What is the English language essential for? 9) What helps international postgraduates adjust more easily to life in the country? 10) What does competence in the language help them to cope with?

►Read the text again and compare postgraduate study in England and in Russia. Would you like to take a postgraduate course in England? Why? Give your reasons.

►Retell the text using some of the expressions given below

1)The title of the text is …

2)As one can see / as can be seen / from the title it is about… /it is concerned with / it is devoted to / it deals with/ it is said./ it is stressed/ it is noted that…

3)I found the text rather interesting (difficult) because I learned (a great deal) about ..

4)According to the text ...

5)According to what I knew before ...

6)As far as I could gather (understand) from the text ...

7)From the text it becomes clear that (I could see that) …

Training scientists in Russia

Making a decision on a career is not easy. Every university graduate faces it. There are many opportunities that are worth trying. One of them is undertaking science. The choice of a future career is not a problem for people who get interested in science at school and being students take part in scientific work in different students' societies. They often dedicate themselves to science. So many of them take postgraduate courses to continue their studies and research work. Such courses were established in our country in 1925 and laid the foundation for training scientists.

People can take a postgraduate course right after graduating from University, but they can also do it after some years of practical work. Some people do a

Master’s course first and then continue working at their research paper to get the degree of candidate of science. In order to take a postgraduate course all of them

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have to take examinations in a special subject, philosophy and foreign languages. There is also an extra-mural course of postgraduate training for those who want to do a scientific investigation and do not want to leave work.

All postgraduates who take a full-time postgraduate course get state allowances. Universities and institutes provide postgraduates free of charge with necessary scientific instruments and experimental equipment which enable them to carry out research. They work under experienced scientific advisers who encourage them in their research. But that is not the only way to train future scientists. Another way is to create conditions for specialists to carry on research in different companies or laboratories and present a thesis for a scientific degree after they finish their work.

The first academic degree in Russia is called «Candidate of Science». It is gained after 3 to 5 years in a postgraduate school. There is a second academic degree: «Doctor of Science». This Degree may be earned by those, who have made a substantial contribution to the science. The top of the pyramid are

«Academicians», who are of two classes: «Associate Members» (Corresponding Members) and «Full Members». The latter have the same recognition in Russia as the Nobel Prize winners in the West [19].

Words and Word Combinations to be memorized

science - наука

a scientist - ученый

to take entrance examinations – сдавать вступительные экзамены a scientific training - научное обучение

to pass an examination – сдать экзамен

a scientific adviser (supervisor)- научный руководитель to establish - устанавливать

a scientific degree - научная степень establishment - установка

research - исследование

to lay the foundation – заложить основу

a research student (postgraduate student) - аспирант

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to investigate - исследовать

to do research, to carry on research - заниматься исследовательской деятельностью

investigation - исследование

to take a postgraduate course - поступить в аспирантуру thesis syn. Dissertation - диссертация

to provide - обеспечивать

to present (to read) a thesis - представить диссертацию

extra-mural course of postgraduate training - курс заочного обучения в аспирантуре

free of charge - бесплатно

to gainдостичь, добиваться

to make a contribution - внести вклад

►Answer the following questions on the text

1)What problem does every university graduate face? 2) When and where do some people begin to take part in scientific work? 3) What is the main way of training scientists in Russia? 4) When were the postgraduate courses in Russia established?

5)What entrance examinations does one have to take to become a postgraduate student? 6) Can people get a postgraduate training without leaving their work? 7) Do all postgraduates get state allowances? 8) Do universities provide young people with everything necessary to prepare for a scientific career? 9) Who do postgraduates work under? 10) What is another way of training scientists in our country? 11) What are the main academic degrees?

►Insert words and expressions from the text: take examinations, training scientists, provide, get state allowances, experimental equipment, carry on, the degree of candidate of science, an extra-mural course of postgraduate training, a postgraduate course

1)... is the main way in which research workers and higher-school teachers get … .

2)Young people who want to take a postgraduate course ... in a special subject, philosophy and a foreign language.

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3)The establishment of postgraduate courses in 1925 laid the foundation for ... .

4)All post-graduates who take a full-time postgraduate course ... .

5)Institutes and Universities … postgraduates with necessary scientific

instruments and ... which enable them to ... research.

6) There is also … for people who want to do a scientific investigation and do not want to leave their work.

►Translate into English

1)Я учусь в аспирантуре. 2) Профессор Смирнов исследует проблемы психологии. 3) Моя сестра поступила в аспирантуру два года назад. 4) Он сделал важное открытие. 5) Я провожу исследования в лаборатории два раза в неделю. 6) Она совмещает обучение в аспирантуре с работой. 7) Он читает лекции по философии в нашем университете. 8) Мой друг успешно сдал вступительные экзамены в аспирантуру. 9) Вы занимаетесь английским? 10)

Как долго вы работаете над диссертаций?

►Ask as many questions as possible based on the following sentences

1)They devote much effort to experiments. 2) My friend has already passed his examination in philosophy. 3) I usually consult my supervisor twice a week. 4) He works under Professor Sokolov. 5) They are interested in the production of new coatings. 6) My sister took up a postgraduate course last year. 7) He graduated from our University four years ago. 8) I have been doing my research for three years.

►Answer the following questions about yourself and your postgraduate

studies

1) Where are you from? 2) Where did you receive your education? 3) When did you graduate from the University? What is your specialty? 4) Did you do some further studies after the graduation? 5) What activities are you engaged in at present? 6) What field of science do you carry on your research in?

Dean of Guildford University Speaks about Supervision at his University

When you are offered a place on any of our research degrees, you carefully

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match you with an appropriate supervisor who will be experienced in the field of your research interests. Your supervisor(s) will help you in formulating your research proposal and give you assistance towards successful and timely completion of your studies. Many Schools will offer dual supervision or a supervisory panel. In addition, students working in most of the Schools in the Sciences and Life Sciences will be part of a research group. We believe that this provides the opportunity for you to gain access to wider expertise and support.

Your Supervisor is usually the most important academic person-resource in your postgraduate program. He is appointed from the School's academic staff. He is also your first point of contact for a range of questions, including professional development and administrative procedures.

The main activity is, of course, independent study and the production of a thesis based on it. As a research student, you will work closely with a supervisor who will guide and advise you throughout your period of study. The supervisor will also guide you in writing your thesis, but you retain the prime responsibility for your own work. Our University has approved policies on supervisory practice which set out how the responsibilities are shared between student and supervisor.

In addition to your own independent study, you will take part in the general research life of your department, and may be involved in research seminars, colloquia and other activities with your colleagues and with academic staff. At the end of your period of study, you will present your thesis for examination and be given an oral examination on it.

We regard the support of the supervisor as crucial in assisting you to complete your programme of study successfully and within the permitted length of time. However, it is also important to remember that, whatever the discipline, a research degree is an opportunity to carry out an independent and original piece of work. Supervisors can offer advice and guidance, but they will not tell you exactly what to read or how to design and carry out work on your thesis.

Your supervisor should be acquainted with procedures and regulations of writing and defending your thesis. It is expected that supervisor and student meet at regular intervals so that the supervisor may advise and inform the development

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of the research project. He establishes a stimulating research environment, gives advice on the choice of project and planning, ensures that appropriate facilities are available, provides training in research, consults the postgraduate, continuously monitors progress and provides structured feedback. Usually a supervisor remains aware of the student's situation and needs [20].

Supervision

Below you will find different opinions of postgraduate students on supervision. Is research supervisor a boss, or a colleague, or a friend? What is your idea of an ideal supervisor? What do you prefer: to have a supervisor who is the name in his field, has plenty of ideas, which he is eager to share with you, or a supervisor who knows not much about your subject, but let you make the research independently?

A. I found that my supervisor's advice on reading particularly related to geographical theory and methodologies was extremely good. While researching he gave me plenty of encouragement which really boosted my confidence. Once I started to write I found that he read what I gave him fairly promptly and his comments were very pertinent, enabling me to work through my ideas more logically. He has always made time in a busy schedule to discuss any problems. More than this, he went out of his way to be helpful when I was unwell. I have greatly appreciated the time and effort he has put into helping me and also for his encouragement and support throughout the four years I have been in the School. Although I could have felt somewhat isolated because my topic has few connections with other postgraduate research being undertaken, this has been minimised by the good working relationship which has been established with my supervisor (final year PhD student).

B. My experience has been that this School is a good place to do research on economic geography, because of the high level of staff expertise and their reputation and influence, which extend far beyond the U.K. Both of my supervisors have been helpful, available to answer questions, and interested in my work. I have found a joint supervision arrangement to be especially beneficial to my work, given its holistic and innovative approach, and in my opinion the School’s openness to joint supervision is a real strength (PhD third year student) [21].

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