The Master’s Degree: a Closer Look

1) The intended purpose of the master’s degree is to provide you with an increased level of understanding, depth of knowledge, and applicable skills to be used within your chosen field. Master’s study introduces you to research and provides the opportunity to learn research techniques, collect and analyze data, and write a thesis based on this research. Typically, programs require approximately two years of full-time graduate study.

2) During the first year, schedules are comprised of a heavier course load which (unlike undergraduate general education) consists of material that is field-specific rather than broad-based in nature. Students will begin working with an advisor during the first year in order to narrow their desired concentration within the field. Research on a master’s thesis or master’s paper topic may begin in the latter portion of the first year.

3) The second year experience consists of additional coursework that will serve to complete the degree requirements set for the program. The level of emphasis on research also increases as you progress toward the completion of the thesis or paper required for degree conferral. The thesis requirement is intended to serve as a demonstration of the level of field-specific knowledge and research skill you have gained within the academic focus. You may participate in internship or practical learning experiences to a more significant degree during the second year, enhancing direct exposure to your selected area of concentration. A critical point of career decision making often occurs as the end of the master’s program nears.

(Finishing Your Master’s Degree and Planning Your Next Steps)

Task 5. Read the text “The Master’s Degree: A Closer Look” and choose the best answer.

1. The aim of the master’s degree is

1. to gain a better understanding in your chosen field.

2. to give necessary skills for studying.

3. to work with an advisor.

2. Master’s study affords ground for

1. learning how to conduct a research.

2. learning how to make data valuable, and write a thesis based on data.

3. learning how to conduct a research and write a thesis based on it.

3. During the first year of master’s study,

1. the course mainly comprises of advanced field-specific material.

2. the course mainly consists of field-specific and broad-based material.

3. the course mainly consists of broad-based material.

4. An advisor will help you to

1. narrow your master’s study.

2. narrow your desired concentration within the field.

3. order your desired concentration within the field.

5. During the second year of master’s study, you mostly concentrate on

1. completing your research paper.

2. participating in internship.

3. decision making on your next career steps.

Task 6. Give the English equivalents to the words and phrases below.

Программа, обогащение опыта, профильный, производственная (преддипломная) практика, присуждение (степени), учебный, всеобъемлющий, методика исследований, приобщать к, научный руководитель.

Task 7. Make the word collocations and translate them.

to provide	internship
to write	the degree requirements
to narrow	a thesis
to participate in	an opportunity
to complete	a research
emphasis on	knowledge
field-specific	the concentration

Task 8. Choose the correct word or phrase to complete each sentence.

1. In 1999, the Ministers of Education from 29 countries in Europe met in the Italian city of Bologna to propose / pose the creation of a European Higher Education Area (EHEA) through a resolution called the Bologna Declaration.

2. The aim of the Bologna Declaration was to create a cohesive EHEA by 2010 in order to facilitate academic mobility / academic exchange, increase the comparability of studies / statement of comparability across all the educational systems of the participating countries as well as promote Europe as a world education destination.

3. There are a lot of graduate degrees / undergraduate degrees being offered in many universities worldwide and one of them is a master’s degree.

4. A master's degree usually lasts between 1 to 2 years and students' work load / over load is evaluated based on the European Credit Transfer Scheme (ECTS) system.

5. Master’s study open up the opportunities to learn research / search techniques, compile information, and write a thesis / tesis.

6. Remember to check the schedule / calendar regularly to keep track of any changes in your course.

Task 9. Answer the questions about the text “The Master’s Degree: A Closer Look”.

1. What is the intended purpose of the master’s degree?

2. Master's programs usually require two years of full-time study, don’t they?

3. Are schedules heavier for first-year students or second-year ones?

4. What is the role of an advisor?

5. What is the course load for the second-year master’s study?

Task 10. List some of the activities that you do as a first-year master’s degree student. Share your ideas with a partner.

Task 11. Replace the phrases with a single verb.

Ex.: to reach a conclusion - to conclude

to execute a search ___________	6.to offer an explanation__________
to carry out a test ____________	7.to draw a comparison___________
to make a presentation_________	8.to make plans ___________
to exhibit a performance________	9.to achieve an improvement_______
to conduct a research __________	10.tomake an analysis__________

Task 12. Read the text and fill in the gaps. Translate it.

An MSc is a Master of Science degree, awarded for subjects such … Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Computer Science. You will mainly …awarded an MSc for doing a standalone master’s – if you do one built into your undergraduate course, you may instead find it known …an M.Chem, M.Phys or similar.

Master's degrees are awarded … different classifications to undergraduate degrees, although the range of marks is often similar. With an undergraduate degree, you’ll receive … first class honours (1st), second class honours, upper division (2:1), second class honours, lower division (2:2), third class honours (3rd), or ordinary degree (Pass). However, the MSc degree classification system is very different. … every case, the two main possibilities are Pass … Distinction. Some universities also add in a middle class, known… Merit.

… most universities, you will find … a Pass requires a weighted average mark over all your modules of 50% or more. For a Merit, expect the mark required to be a weighted average … 60% or above, often requiring a mark of above 60% … any project or dissertation module. A Distinction … a weighted average of 70% or ….

Task 13. Quickly give your opinion¹ about:

• the University you study at;

• the city where the University is;

• the Master’s degree you are taking;

• course load during the first year;

• writing a research;

• working with an advisor during the first / second year of study;

• undertaking an internship.

Task 14. Put the verbs into the correct tense.

1. What postgraduate degree… you … now? (to do)

2. How … you … on your postgraduate degree choice? (to decide)

3. What …your first impressions of the University and the city? (to be)

4. …you actually … your degree course? (to enjoy)

5. What advice … you … to students considering applying for the same course? (to give)

Task 15. Find the appropriate answers to the questions in Task 12. Make a short dialogue with a partner and act it out.

1. My first impressions were that it seemed like a fun and friendly place, both the city and the University.

2. Yes, I do. I mostly enjoy the modules where we use computer packages.

3. My advice would be to have fun and make as many friends as you can. And seriously, going to the informal seminars can be very useful. It’s also a good idea to plan your time well and interact with the second-year students.

4. I am doing my Masters of Science in Physics.

5. I always wanted to take a master’s degree. I majored in Physics during my undergraduate degree.

Task 16. Be ready for a small discussion on the topic “What taking your master’s degree means to you”:

1. What field of science does your master’s degree deal with?

2. Which factors were the most important to you in choosing your master’s degree?

3. Decide on your three top priorities:

• career opportunities

• expansion of knowledge

• interesting work in future

• an advantage to be superior among individuals who only have bachelor’s degree

• good relationships with teachers

• mode of study

• a step for obtaining a doctorate degree

• other

4. Complete the sentences and give details: ‘For me, taking my master’s degree is…

• … my main interest or purpose”.

• … just something everyone has to do”.

• … the way how I can achieve status in the society”.

• … something that will boost up my career”.

• … the way how I can be offered with managerial positions”.

Task 17. Discuss in small groups the topic “What taking your master’s degree means to you”:

1. Compare your answers to the questions in Task 14 with other students.

2. How do you understand the role of master’s degree in the present higher education system?

3. What advantages does your master’s degree provide?