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Here is an extract from a speech made by a career advisor to a group of students choosing their future courses of study at university. Complete the speech by choosing one of the words from the box.
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| Develop, chemical, civil, highway, production, physics, electrical, mechanical, electronic |
Engineering students should have an understanding of maths, … and chemistry. Working with pharmaceuticals, food, mineral processing and chemical manufacturing, a … engineer is trained to understand, design, control, and investigate materials flows. If you enjoy problem solving and find projects such as the National Library and Minsk Arena interesting, … engineering may be for you. If your interest is in road building then you may follow a specialized course in … engineering. By studying … and … engineering you learn about the design of complete systems, such as computers, controllers, power and transport systems. … engineers plan, design and develop a wide range of things: washing machines, cars and spacecraft. … engineers work very closely with mechanical engineers, to make new products at the right price, on time and in the correct quantity.
READING
Exercise 1.
Read the text carefully. Then discuss the questions below.
1. What products of engineers can you name?
2. What solutions are engineers constantly looking for?
3. What higher engineering institutions do you know in Belarus?
4. What fields of engineering is specialist training provided in?
5. Is engineering and technology education available on full-time or part-time basis?
6. What does the undergraduate curriculum of each engineering institution include?
7. What academic activities allow students to get theoretical and practical knowledge?
8. What is the key feature of all engineering and technology courses?
9. What investigative project do all students undertake in the final year?
10. Why is the habit of lifelong learning essential for students?
11. How long does it take to complete an engineering course at university?
12. What opportunities do students have after graduation?
13. What are postgraduate students engaged in?
14. Why do Belarusian universities continually revise their curricula?
Higher Engineering Education in Belarus
Engineering is an essential part of everyday life. The products of engineers are all around us – computers, cars, aircraft, roads, bridges, medical equipment and much more. Engineers are constantly looking for solutions that are faster, safer, stronger, more efficient, more environmentally friendly and more economical.
The education system of any country is responsible for producing new generations of engineers capable of applying scientific knowledge and practical experience to produce things that benefit people. Higher engineering education in Belarus is provided by a number of universities, including the Belarusian National Technical University, the Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics, the Belarusian State Technological University, the Belarusian State University of Transport, Brest State Technical University and others. The universities offer specialist training in a wide range of fields – electronic and electrical engineering, mechanical, civil and nuclear engineering, chemical and environmental engineering and so on.
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Engineering and technology education is offered on full-time and part-time basis. The undergraduate curriculum of each institution integrates fundamentals of natural sciences, engineering science and mathematics with engineering practice aspects. Lectures, seminars, practical and laboratory classes allow students to get scientific knowledge and practical skills in different subject areas. The teaching staff provide students with academic guidance and help to form a professional outlook.
An academic year begins in autumn and is divided into two terms. Students are assessed at the end of each term through a pass-fail system and examinations. Individual project work or a coursework in a particular subject area is also a key feature of all engineering and technology courses. In the final year considerable emphasis is placed on a major investigative project, a graduate thesis, undertaken by all students. As all engineering and technology courses are industry oriented, students are regularly sent out on an industrial placement for training.
It is essential that students are taught a habit of lifelong learning to function productively as professional engineers over the full course of their careers. Belarusian universities offer a wide range of scholarships, summer placements, and employment opportunities. Standard university accommodation in the halls of residence is also available for many undergraduates.
Students normally graduate after 4 or 5 years with the Diploma of Higher Education. However, today’s employers want more than a diploma holder – they want graduates who have developed a range of skills and qualities appropriate for modern industry. After graduation students may go directly into employment or join one year Master’s programme. This is an important step for a career in research.
All universities in Belarus are research-based institutions and offer a wide range of postgraduate degree programmes. Postgraduate students undertake significant research working closely with a supervisor from the academic staff. By the end of the course they produce a thesis that makes an original contribution to knowledge.
As the needs of industry change Belarusian universities continually revise their curricula to reflect both the latest developments in engineering education and in technology.
SKILLS
Exercise 1.
Match the first part of the sentence (1-6) with the second part (a-f).
| 1. Higher engineering institutions offer a number of academic activities, including | a. a vital component of every student’s professional development |
| 2. Well-qualified and cooperative teaching staff | b. a graduate thesis, undertaken by all students |
| 3. Industrial training and experience are | c. the ability to apply theoretical knowledge to real industrial problems |
| 4. In the final year considerable emphasis is placed on | d. lectures, seminars, practical and laboratory classes in different subject areas |
| 5. Today’s employers value the graduates who have | e. to continuously improve their knowledge and competence |
| 6. A habit of life long learning is essential for practicing engineers | f. provide students with academic support |
Exercise 2.
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Play a game with the class. One person thinks of a job from the list (architect, truck driver, miner, electrician, software engineer, biologist, civil engineer). Other students have to find out what the job is. They can only ask questions where the answer is yes or no.
Example:
1. Do you travel a lot?
2. Do you use a computer?
3. Do you need qualifications to do your job?
4. Do you need to wear special clothing?
5. Do you have to think a lot?
6. Do you work night shifts?
7. Do you work outside?
8. Do you work long hours?
9. Do you meet a lot of different people?
10. Do you have much responsibility?
Are you a …?
Exercise 3.
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