Unit 15.

Exercise 1. Read the text and compile a guide-paper for would be post-graduate students. Be ready to present it for approval of a contest jury.

HOW TO STAND UP FOR AN ACADEMIC DEGREE. INSTRUCTION TO POST-GRADUATE STUDENTS

It is no good writing a long thesis: it is not the novel “War and Peace” and you are not Leo Tolstoy. It is no use writing it briefly either: it either testifies to your great talent or lack of brains. Your opponents will forgive you neither.

Do not put on airs: it is not worth thinking that you alone are clever and all others are fools. Avoid using the arrogant first person singular: instead of saying “I assume”, “I suppose” use “It is assumed...” or “We suppose...”

Try the scientific value of your paper on your relatives and colleagues. If your paper is sophisticated enough, they will start pawning and fall asleep in no time, while listening to it or reading it. The sections that cause fits of laughter or anxiety need rewriting.

Although you will enjoy listening to the compliments of experienced people, do not be deceived by their singing praises to you.

Avoid inviting young scholars as your would-be opponents: they are always glad to jump at the opportunity of showing off and discrediting others. It is always more practical to invite merited and older scientists because the older they become the kinder and lazier they get.

If you ain at achieving success, read your paper in front of a mirror even if you dislike doing it.

When on rostrum, try to behave properly. Even if you cannot help feeling excited, stop swinging the pointer over the heads of the listeners, keep from waving hands, abstain from shouting and blowing your nose loudly.

Control your voice: if you try to speak as monotonously as you can the learned members of the Academic Board will start thinking of their own affairs or dozing off. Proceed demonstrating slides, tables, graphs and you will succeed in hitting the target.

Gumming up, express your appreciation and gratitude to all the people present, keeping strictly to the table of ranks.

When the formal procedure is over, providing you were a success, do not forgot to invite everybody for refreshments and a cup of coffee or tea.

Unit 16.

Exercise 1. Read the text and prove why the ideal scientific su­pervisor must have these traits.

The ideal scientific supervisor

Several scientific efforts have been made in the United States to establish the personality structure of the ideal scientific supervisor. Ladislas Farrago in his book “War of Wits” lists ten groups of character traits which a good scientific supervisor is supposed to possess:

1. His morale must be high and he must be genuinely interested in the job ahead.

2. He must be energetic, zealous, and enterprising.

3. He must be resourceful, and a quick thinker. He must know how to deal with things, people, and ideas. He must be proficient in some occupational skill.

4. He must be emotionally stable: capable of endurance under stress.

5. He must have the ability to get along with other people, and to work as a member of a team.

6. He must know how to inspire collaboration, to organize, administer, and lead others. He must be willing to accept responsibility.

7. He must have a passion for lecturing and research, and know how to do it.

8. He must be able to get hold of the required equipment ahead of others.

9. He must be agile, strong and daring.

10. He must be able to memorize details, evaluate his observations, and relate them to the greater complex things.