III. Find in the text the key words characterizing:

1. the faculty’s structure,

2. the subjects the students study,

3. the facilities for studies,

4. the research work of the faculty,

5. the practical skills.

IV. Speak on the subjects, mentioned above.

V. Answer the questions:

1. When was the faculty of Machine Building, Transport and Power Engineering set up?

2. What is the aim of the faculty?

3. What departments does the faculty include?

4. What degrees does the faculty award?

5. What subjects do the students study?

6. What are the facilities necessary for the students’ studies?

7. In what way do the students take part in the research work?

8. Where can the graduates continue their studies?

9. Where can the graduates of the faculty work?

VI. Make a report about your faculty using the plan of exercise III.

VII. Read the information about your leading department and make a short report on your speciality: The Leading Departments

The department of Machine-Building Technology is one of the oldest. It was founded in 1947. The department trains the students for the specialties of machine-building technologies, machines and apparatus of chemical production, and the technology of electrochemical production. The most important subjects studied by the students are physics, mathematics and computer science. The students study the methods of computer-aided design (CAD) of technological processes and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM). They learn to work out the technology for flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) and for enterprises with universal technological equipment. They are taught to run machining complexes and computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools. In 2003 the centre of computer-aided design “Delcam-Penza” was set up at the department. It enables the students and teachers to cooperate with the Machine-Building faculty of Birmingham University in Great Britain and raises the qualification of specialists up to the international level.

The department of Metalworking Machine Tools and Complexes is one of the oldest. It was founded in 1947. The department trains the students for the speciality of metalworking machine tools and complexes with the specialization in designing and computer modeling of technological equipment, as well as everyday life machines and devices. The process of training is carried out at the Computing Centre provided with software from the USA, France, Great Britain and Russia. The students are taught to process text documents, to make computer calculations, to model electronic control systems for the designed machines, to work with three-dimensional (3D) graphics. The graduates of the department are able to make computer designs of the most complicated machines and mechanisms used in cosmonautics. At the disposal of the students there is a miniature plant shop equipped with computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools, robotic systems and other up-to-date machinery. Here the students acquire some practical skills in their future profession.

The department of Welding Engineering, Foundry and Materials Science trains the students for the specialities of equipment and technology of welding engineering, and machines and technology of foundry. The department is supplied with well-equipped laboratories and a Computing Centre. The students study mathematical and natural sciences, computer science, as well as special subjects: materials science, welding processes theory, welding technology, plastics welding, designing of weld-fabricated constructions and their quality control. The students are taught to work out new technological processes of casting, to make castings of ferrous and non-ferrous metals and of special alloys, to control the quality of foundry materials and castings, to design new casters, to run automatic production lines and complexes, to create highly economical and ecologically pure melting units.

Welding and foundry operations are widely practiced in all branches of industry and national economy. They are used in aircraft and spaceships constructions, in atomic energetics, in communications channels, in medicine and biotechnology. The profession of a welding or foundry engineer is one of the most prospective and universal. Future specialists will find their application in machine building, instrument making and other branches of engineering.

The department of Transport Machines trains the students for the specialities of automotive and tractor industries, traffic arrangement and safety, and internal-combustion engines. The students trained for the speciality of overland transport systems may obtain the Bachelor’s and the Master’s degrees. The department provides the students with six training laboratories and a Computing Centre equipped with personal computers and peripherals. The students’ scientific society was set up at the department. The students carry out their research and graduation projects on the basis of computer-aided design.

The department of Transport-and Technological Machines and Equipment trains the students to handle lifting and transportation machines, road-building machines and all kinds of construction equipment. The department carries on innovative and applied researches. It set up an innovative-and technological centre called “Vortex processes and technologies”. The students take an active part in its work, using the results of their research both in the educational process and in preparing the graduation projects. The graduates of the department successfully work at different building organizations and at industrial enterprises of the country.

The department of Electrical Engineering and Electrical Equipment for Transport trains the students for the speciality of electrical devices for automobiles and tractors. The department set up a number of modern laboratories equipped with up-to-date research and testing instruments. The students successfully work at the laboratory of diagnostics of electronic systems for controlling different vehicles’ units. They learn to drive, service, repair and maintain all sorts of automobiles and tractors. The department graduates qualified specialists in the field of transportation.

The department of Automated Electric Power Systems and Networks was set up in 1999. It trains the students for the specialties of electric power engineering and electric power supply. The students successfully work at the scientific laboratory and the students’ design bureau using computer technologies and electronic means of simulation. The graduates of the department find their jobs in the field of power industry all over the country.

The department of Professional Pedagogy and Psychology was founded in 2002. It trains the students for the speciality of professional teaching in the field of automobiles and automobile equipment. Future specialists must be able to organize and carry out the process of teaching theoretical courses of pedagogical, psychological and technical disciplines. Since 2004 the department has been cooperating with Moscow State University in the sphere of school-leavers’ professional orientation and their future career’s advances. The students work at the scientific laboratory equipped with up-to-date computers. The department graduates qualified specialists working all over the country.

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