Faculties

1. Railway Transportation Management Faculty (Rolling Stock and Freight Operation Department; Railway Stations and Junctions Department; Railway Operation Management Department; Vital Safety Department, etc.).

2. Railway Construction Faculty (Track and Track Facilities Department; Railway and Highway Surveying and Design Engineering Department; Engineering Geodesy Department; etc.).

3. Building and road Machines Faculty (Mechanization of Track, Loading and Unloading and Construction Works Department; Transport Mechanical Engineering Technology and Machine Maintenance Department; Electrical Engineering and Electric Technologies in Railway Industry Department, etc.).

4. Civil Engineering Faculty (Railway Structures and Buildings in Railway Industry Department; Technology, Engineering Management and Construction Economics Department; Hydraulics and Water Supply Department; Building Materials Department, etc.).

5. Bridges and Transport Tunnels Faculty (Bridges Department; Tunnels and Underground Railways Department; Geology, Footings and Foundations Department; Structural Mechanics Department; Theoretical Mechanics Department, ect.).

6. Engineering Economics Faculty (Transport Economics Department; Accounting and Auduting Railway Industry Department; Management in Transport Industry Department; etc.).

7. International Business and Law Faculty (Economic Theory Department; International Business Department, Civil Law Department; Public Law Department; Criminal Law Department; Finance and Credit Department; etc.).

8. Human Resources Management Faculty (Social Psychology Department; Psycology and Education Science Department).

9. Correspondence Faculty.

Subjects: History of Russia, Philosophy, Foreign Languages, Engineering Graphics, Descriptive Geometry, Theoretical Mechanics, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Basics of Transport Services, etc.

Now you are a first-year student or a fresher at STU, which was founded in 1931. Our University is conveniently located close to the public transport interchanges and about 5 minutes’ walk from Zaeltstovskaya Metro Station. The University with more than 11,000 students is proud of its mission to provide pathways to university degrees and career qualifications and prepare graduates for employment both in Russian and international environment as well as in the reformed railway system. It is one of the leaders among Russian railway educational establishments.

The University’s facilities are of the highest quality and the academic staff is specially selected for the teaching skills and knowledge of the subjects. Many school leavers choose STU because its diplomas are of high academic standard and the university provides the graduates with opportunities that will enhance their future employment or promotion prospects. Our graduates can be found working everywhere from the Ministry of Railways and Local Administration Authorities to various railway companies. Students enrolled at our University take inspiration from the large number of students who successfully preceded them and now occupy high rank positions not only in railway network but in politics as well. They are able to make personal contacts that are of benefit to them in their professional and political career.

The University achieves highest graduate employability rates because of its reputation and strong links with railways. The professors develop courses that are highly regarded in the railway system because of the balance between theory and practical application. It prepares graduates to make a positive contribution to the professional railway community. The Railway Engineering Degree is structured so that students develop critical, analytical and evaluative skills and gain a sound background in all areas of their work.

The University provides engineering, railway construction, economics, information technology, construction management, International Business and Trade programmes. They include extensive English, German, French, Chinese and Japan language training. The foreign language courses prepare students for a variety of real life situations. Students hear, speak, read and write by means of videos, interactive computers, audiotapes, role-plays and classroom activities. All teachers are experienced, highly qualified and helpful. The course includes topics of general interest, topics associated with GB, Russia and those, which relate to railways. If a student finds the programme too intensive he/she can take, he can move more slowly by so called “slow track”. It is recommended for the students having language level below the required skills and who can’t undergo an intensive course and self-directed learning. Information about assessment of a student achievement is given to students in the course outline and explained in the first meeting for the subject.

The University provides some extra help and full assistance to students who are having difficulties with their studies. Teachers offer extra remedial tutorials in core subjects, help with academic work such as writing assignments and examination technique, as well as personal counseling and assist students in developing good study skills so that that student’s time in the university will be productive and rewarding. Tuition incorporates several modes of teaching, including lectures, tutorials as well as practical sessions in computer and language laboratories. Students are required to undertake self-study outside formal classes at least equal in time to the number of hours of formal classes per week.

Currently the university is one of the largest educational and scientific centers in Siberia with long-standing cultural and military traditions. It is also unique for its expressive architecture and historical background. The University Museums preserve and share historical spirit with new coming generations. The library and a Book museum attached to it occupy the area of some 3000 square metres and provide Web-access and services for students, lecturers and many railway specialists. The classrooms and computer workshops are modern and spacious. It is a very comfortable and sophisticated learning environment, conveniently located at the STU campus. Students have access to computers both in class and after class and to Internet. All students receive a STU student card and can use the university library, and other STU student facilities, including the sports centres.

STU is fully brought to life by the lively students’ extracurricular activities, for instance in music and spot, which add that colourful and vital variety and is the spice of campus life. Student life within the University is characterized by a plethora of different theatre groups (the drama studio “Sphera”, the dance theatre “Imperia”, short play theatre “Factorial”, etc.), the Club for Cheerful and Inquisitive, the University choir and the Drawing and painting studio where students apply their artistic talents. Many cities, towns and small settlements along the West-Siberian Railway greeted STU Show-train. Student Leisure Centre regularly organises a wide range of leisure activities, concerts, shows, celebrations and discos. Sports Centre develops various kinds of sports: track-and-field, ski racing, skating, swimming, basketball, volleyball, lawn tennis, chess, aerobics, even judo and sambo wrestling, weight lifting, biathlon and mountain climbing. STU has all the facilities for sports: open-air stadium, 2 skiing centres, special premises for sport games, Physical Education classes. A new gym with a swimming pool is being built.

Established in 1939, the military sports relay is one of the oldest STU traditions and still remains a significant event. Among its participants were Victor Mamatov, the Olympic biathlon champion, Anatoliy Lepeshkin, world skating ex-champion and many others. Another STU tradition is taking part in the track-and-field relay in memory of A. Pokryshkin, three times USSR hero.

Sporting, cultural and social events and entertainments both on and off campus take place all year round and students can also enjoy after class activities as a way of making new friends or to pursue new interests. If I were ever asked for a recommendation on a place to study, STU would always be my first suggestion.

QUESTIONS

1. When did you finish school?

2. What university do you study at? (the name of the university).

3. When did you enter the university?

4. How many entrance exams did you take? When did you take them? Did you get good and excellent marks in all exams?

5. Why did you choose SSTU instead of any other university?

6. What year are you in? How long have you been studying here?

7. When does the academic year start at the university? When is it over?

8. How many terms are there in the academic year?

9. How many faculties are there at the university? What are they? Name them.

10. What faculty are you in?

11. What subjects are studied at our university in the first year?

12. How many lectures a day do you usually have?

13. When does your first lecture begin? When is it over?

14. What must students do at the lectures? What shouldn’t they do at the lectures?

15. Do you skip (miss deliberately) lectures?

16. Do you take exams at the end of the term? How many exams will you take in winter?

17. Are students’ meetings often held?

18. What questions are discussed at these meetings?

19. Before exam it’s a good idea to revise for it in order to pass it (do well in exam). Do you get marks/credits/points for your exams?

20. Are you doing well at the university?

21. Do you get a grant? How much do you get?

22. Are you doing well in Fundamentals of Information Science and Computer Engineering?

23. When will your first term be over? How many exams will you take?

24. What subjects are you to take exams in? What subjects needn’t you take exams in?

25. What exams are you afraid most of all?

26. Have you written any term-paper yet? When will you write it?

27. Do you want to graduate from the university with honours?

28. When will you graduate from the university?

ORAL COMPOSITION WORK

Suggested Situations for Dialogues

1. The University you study at; year of foundation and its architecture, hostels.

2. The student body and the number of faculties the University has at present. The subjects taught at the faculties; terms of practical work.

3. The equipment of the University and all the facilities it offers for studies, research and recreation; cost of tuition; opportunities for getting work after graduating from the University.

4. Mention some interesting tradition of the University you study at.

5. You can’t help feeling excited as you are going to take an examination in … .

6. You are going to cut a lecture and slip away to the cinema. Unfortunately you run into the Dean himself.

Reports

1. Find out some material about Oxford and Cambridge Universities. Make a short report (5 minutes).

2. Describe the hostel you live in, the room you share with other room-mates; if you are a day student describe the room you live in.

Speak on the following topics:

“A student’s working day’, “How I took my entrance examinations”, “Requirements for the entrance examinations”.

Words and expressions to be used

Final examinations выпускные экзамены

Selective exam конкурсный экзамен

To sit for the exam (to read up a subject) готовиться к экзамену

Educational institution учебное заведение

Entrance requirements department приемная комиссия

Entrance requirements требования на вступительных экзаменах

Standards of admission правила приема

To submit an application for admission подать заявление о приеме

To launch an examination scheme вывесить расписание экзаменов

To conduct examinations проводить экзамены

Examination paper экзаменационный билет

Essay subject тема сочинения

Composition, essay (composition a fixed topic, free composition) сочинение

To solve a problem in maths, physics решить задачу по математике, физике

To show a good (poor) knowledge of something обнаружить хорошие (плохие) знания

To gain entrance поступить

Teaching staff педагогический состав

To attend classes посещать занятия

Extra-curricular activities внеаудиторная работа

TEST

I. Correct the mis-collocations in these sentences.

1. I can’t come out. I’m studying. I’m passing an examination tomorrow.

2. Congratulations! I hear you succeeded your examination!

3. You can study a lot of different careers at this university.

4. I got some good notes in my continuous assessment this term.

5. She’s a professor in a primary school.

6. He gave an interesting 45-minute conference on Goethe.

7. She got a degree in personnel management from a private college.

KEY

1. I’m taking/doing/sitting an exam tomorrow.

2. I hear you passed/did well in your examination.

3. You can study a lot of different subjects/take a lot of different courses at this university.

4. I got some good marks/grades in my continuous assessment this term.

5. She’s a teacher in a primary school.

6. He gave an interesting 45-minute lecture on Goethe.

7. She got a diploma in personnel management.

II. Choose the right word.

(A)

1. A nursery school is a school for [a) babies, b) infants]. 2. My favourite [a) professor, b) teacher] at school is Mr Watkins. 3. Our teacher always sets us a lot of [a) housework, b) homework]. 4. What will you be doing in the summer [a) vacation, b) vacancy]? 5. Class 2 are waiting for me in the [a) classroom, b) lesson]. 6. We have a very good school [a) canteen, b) restaurant]. 7. When did you [a) take, b) give] your exam? 8. There are 15 students in our English [a) class, b) grade]. 9. I’m [ a) attending, b) following] English classes. 10. Sit [a) on, b) at] your desk and get on with your work. 11. I made too many [a) faults, b) mistakes] in my essay. 12. You [a) missed, b) lost] too many lessons last term. 13. Explain [a) to me, b) me] why you are late. 14. [a) Try, b) test] tour knowledge! 15. What did you get out of ten in the test? – [a) Nought, b) Nil]! 16. How many [a) languages, b) tongues] do you speak? 17. [a) Story, b)history] is my favourite subject. 18. Maths [a) aren’t, b) isn’t easy for everybody. 19. I’m not good [a) in, b) at] sports. 20. I’m doing a course in [a) English, b) english].

KEY

1b 2b 3b 4a 5a 6a 7a 8a 9a 10b 11b 12a 13a 14b 15a 16a 17b 18b 19b 20a

(B)*

A [a) timetable, b) schedule] lists the times of classes, etc. 2. When schools close, the children are on [a) leave, b) holiday]. 3. Children who live in a school are called [a) pensioners, b) boarders]. 4. A school for the very young is a [a) kindergarten, b) nursery]. 5. Have you seen the new [a) programme, b) syllabus] for the exams? 6. A student might win one of these [a) a premium, b) a prize]. 7. You would do an [a) experience, b) experiment] in a laboratory. 8. After [a) gymnasium, b) grammar school] you can attend university. 9. Universities can only [a) admit, b) receive] a few students. 10. I need to pass my Cambridge First [a) Certificate, b) Diploma]. 11. She’s got a [a) position, b) place] to do French at Oxford. 12. Our course provides you with [a) practicable, b) practical] experience. 13. You do this before you take an exam. [a) revision, b) repetition]. 14. What [a) mark, b) degree] did you get for your spelling test? 15. Sh! I want to listen to the [a) conference, b) lecture]. 16. [Particular, b) private] lessons are very expensive. 17. My essay was illustrated with a [a) diagram, b) scheme]. 18. No one likes to [a) fail, b) lose] an exam. 19. History is my favourite [a) topic, b) subject] at school. 20. It’s hard to [a) get, b) enter] into university.

KEY

1a 2b 3b 4a 5b 6b 7b 8b 9a 10a 11b 12b 13a 14a 15b 16b 17a 18a 19b 20a

III. Translate the Russian sentences into English, making them the logical continuation of the English ones.

1) How did she manage to win a scholarship? – No wonder. Она очень старалась и много работала. 2) Are you first year? – Да, я студент. Я студент с 1 сентября.3) What will the teacher be doing this time to-morrow? – Она будет проверять наши контрольные работы по грамматике. 4) How long have you been attending lectures at the University? – Пожалуй, уже более двух лет. 5) Who was it that you were talking to in the Dean’s Office this morning? – Да с самим деканом. Он собирается провести беседу о предстоящих экзаменах. 6) I think he has failed. – Провалился? Нет, он сдал экзамен и сдал его хорошо. - When did he pass it? – Он сдал его (а) вчера, (б) сегодня утром. 7) She will take a post-graduate course, won’t she? – I believe so. Она будет заниматься в аспирантуре, если она сдаст все экзамены на “отлично”. У нее склонность к научной работе. 8) How long have you been listening to the tape-recordings when I came to the English laboratory? – Not very long. Около двадцати минут. До этого я записывал текст урока. 9) Did you look through your examination paper after you had written it? – Not only that. Я переписал работу после того, как просмотрел ее. 10) When does the first term end? – Как обычно, в январе. К 10 января мы уже закончим занятия.

KEY

1) She was very diligent and worked hard. 2) Yes, I am. I’ve been a student since September 1. 3) She will be checking our grammar test papers. 4) I’ve been attending lectures for more than two years. 5) It was the Dean. He is going to have a talk about the forthcoming examinations. 6) But he hasn’t. He has passed it - and with credit too! He passed it yesterday/ has passed it in the morning. 7) She will take a post-graduate course if she passes all her exams with merit. She has a gift for research work. 8) I have been listening to it for about 20 minutes. And before it I had been recording the text of the lesson. 9) I rewrote my paper after I had looked through it. 10) It ends as usual in January. We’ll have completed our course by January 10.

IV. Ask questions on the italicized parts of the sentences. Translate this text into Russian. Be ready to render its contents in English.

At Oxford the instruction is mainly given by the college tutors and lectures, and by university professors and readers. All students are members of a college and of the university. They may attend any lecture they like.

The tutorial system in Oxford and Cambridge differs from that of all the other English Universities. Every student has a tutor. (disjunctive) As soon as a student comes to Oxford he goes to see his tutor. The tutor plans his work, suggests the books he should read and sets work for him to do, for example an essay to write. Each week he goes to his tutor’s rooms, with two or three other students. The tutor discusses with them the work they have done; he criticizes in detail their essays and sets them the next week’s work. Such lessons are called “tutorials”.

LISTENING (Tape script)

Questions

1. Where is Oxford situated?

2. Who were among the most world-famous Oxford university graduates?

Picturesque Oxford is set in the heartland of the British countryside on the banks of two lovely rivers the Isis and the Cherwell, which join here at Oxford to form Thames. The city has rich history, and magnificent architecture welcomes many visitors. Oxford’s Universities, some of the oldest in Europe, have produced many famous scholars for example a world-famous explorer Sir Walter Raleigh.

The character of this city has been shaped by centuries of history. Its name first appearing in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle in the year 912. Since the 12-th century Oxford has grown as an intellectual centre and is now recognized worldwide for its achievements.

The delicate cupola containing the stature of King George the II-d’s Queen Caroline dominates Queen’s College. This college with its elegant facade was founded in 1340 by Robert Eagelfield ???of Camberland. Queen has always had strong connections with the north of England and many old customs have remained. The Boss Head Ceremony originated from the fact that many its students - north countrymen were often unable to return home for Christmas. At New Year the Boss presents each guest with the needle and thread and the words; “Take this and be thrifty”.

This magnificent piece of classical architecture entirely rebuilt between 1671 and 1765 is the only college in Oxford of which none of the original buildings remain. Edmund Halley the astronomer was one of Queen’s distinguished students. He is remembered as having observed the comet named after him in 1682 and accurately predicted that it would reappear in 1759.