Institute of Biology and Nature Management

ASTU

Astrakhan Technical Institute of Fisheries was founded in 1930. The history of its growth, development and expansion of educational and scientific activity is marked by the Institute’s transforming into Astrakhan State Technical University (ASTU) in 1994.

Astrakhan State Technical University is situated in one of the most picturesque places of our town, not far from the Great Russian River Volga.

A lovely academic town of the University is situated on a beautiful parkland. It occupies 8 teaching buildings with up-to-date lecture halls, well-equipped laboratories, a computing center and libraries rich in books. Various conferences and meetings are held in the Assembly Hall situated in the main building. Here you can also find Director’s, Deans’ and other offices.

The University possesses several halls for residence (dormitories), on the territory of it you can see cafes, shops, a medical aid center and a clubhouse.

Director (or Rector, as it is called in Russia) is at the head of the University, while the work of the Institutes and the faculties is headed by Directors and Deans. The teaching staff of special and academic departments consists of very experienced lecturers and assistants, capable of giving their knowledge and experience to students.

Permanent aspiration of university’s scientists to expand their research provides for the development of the University and increases its role that of an educational establishment and of a scientific center as well. This also results in the growth of teachers’ professional skills and the quality of undergraduate training. The University constantly improves forms and methods of training and offers its teaching staff new opportunities for innovation both in teaching and research. The success of the University’s education policy is confirmed by the fact that among its graduates there are governors, managers of large businesses, world-famous scientists.

At present, the structure of the University includes several Institutes: the Institute of Distance Learning, the Institute of Marine Technologies, Power Engineering and Transport, The Institute of Biology and Nature Management, the Institute of Information Technologies and Communication, The Institute of Economics, The Institute of Oil and Gas. There are several Faculties at the University as well: the Mechanical Faculty, the Faculty of Law; the Faculty of Fisheries, the Faculty of Applicant Preliminary Training, the Faculty of Optional Vocational Training; the Faculty of International Student Preliminary Training, the Faculty of Secondary Vocational Education. Besides, there are several colleges that provide secondary engineering training under the auspices of the University.

The opportunity to host different sports events is provided by excellent sports facilities of the University. They include a sports center with two swimming pools; halls for basketball, volleyball, tennis, acrobatics; a stadium, a gym, a football ground.

III. Remember the following words and word combinations:

To be founded – быть основанным

To be situated – располагаться

A picturesque place – живописное место

To occupy – занимать

To hold (held, held) – проводить

Faculty – факультет

Department – кафедра

To be at the head – возглавлять

Experienced – опытный

Aspiration – стремление, сильное желание

Auspices – покровительство

IV. Remember the following names:

The Institute of Distance Learning	Институт Дистанционного Образования
The Institute of Marine Technologies, Power Engineering and Transport	Институт Морских Технологий, Силовой Энергетики и Транспорта
The Institute of Biology and Nature Management	Институт Биологии и Природопользования
The Institute of Information Technologies and Communication	Институт Информационных Технологий и Коммуникаций
The Institute of Economics	Институт Экономики
The Institute of Oil and Gas	Институт Нефти и Газа
The Mechanical Faculty	Механический Факультет
The Faculty of Law	Юридический Факультет
The Faculty of Fisheries	Рыбохозяйственный Факультет
The Faculty of Applicant Preliminary Training	Факультет Довузовской подготовки
The Faculty of Optional Vocational Training	Факультет Дополнительного профессионального образования
The Faculty of International Student Preliminary Training	Подготовительный Факультет для иностранных граждан
The Faculty of Secondary Vocational Education	Факультет Средне-Профессионального Образования

V. Answer the following questions:

1. When was ASTU founded?

2. Where is it situated?

3. What can you see on the territory of the university?

4. What are the main Institutes and the faculties of the university?

5. Does the university have excellent sport facilities?

VI. Read and translate the following text:

EDUCATION

There are two main forms of education in the University: full-time and part-time. The full-time students of the University have a four- or five year course of studies, while the part-time students study for six years.

Each academic year is divided into two terms. During the term students have to attend lectures, seminars and practical trainings according to the time-table. They also make reports, do laboratory and graphical works according to the basic program. The first-year students study such traditional disciplines as mathematics, chemistry, physics, history, foreign languages. In the third year students begin to study in depth the subjects connected with their future speciality.

Besides obligatory subjects students have some optional courses. At the end of the term students have tests and take midterm examinations. Their credits and examination marks are entered in their record books. Those who fail in an exam, are allowed to make a second attempt.

The third-and-fourth-year students submit course papers on some special subjects. Graduates have to take final exams and defend their diploma projects worked out with the help of their supervisors.

The University offers a multi-level system of education and training and provides various types of programs for those who study either full-time or part-time, as well as individual and distance learning programs. If you had already earned an academic degree in one of the sciences, you have an opportunity to do the same in some other field at ASTU. Having completed the chosen course and having met all the qualification requirements the graduates are awarded a special state certificate called "Diploma".

If you are interested in research you can undertake your work in ASTU having applied to post-graduate study: Master's degree or Doctorate courses. When the course has been completed, the Dissertation is then submitted to a specialized Dissertation Council of ASTU. There are 30 Dissertation Councils in ASTU which are authorized to award Ph.D's. degree (or "Candidate's degree") and Senior Doctor's degree.

IX. Remember the words and word combinations and use them in your own sentences:

Full-time students – студенты дневного обучения

Part-time students – студенты заочного обучения

Term – семестр

To divide into – делить, разделять

The first-year student – студент-первокурсник

Future speciality – будущая специальность

Obligatory subject – обязательный предмет

Optional course – факультативное занятие

To take examinations – сдавать экзамены

Mark – оценка

A record book – зачетная книжка

To enter the university – поступить в университет

To graduate from the university – закончить университет

To fail in an exam – провалиться на экзамене

To defend a diploma project – защищать дипломный проект

To work out – разрабатывать

A supervisor – научный руководитель

To provide – обеспечивать

To award – награждать

A research work – научно-исследовательская работа

A postgraduate – аспирант

THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

The University of Minnesota was founded as a preparatory school in 1851, seven years before the territory of Minnesota became a state. Financial problems forced the school to close during the Civil War, but with the help of Minneapolis entrepreneur John Sargent Pillsbury, it reopened in 1867. Known as the father of the University, Pillsbury, who was a University regent, state senator, and governor, used his influence to establish the school as the official recipient of public support from the Morrill Land-Grant Act, designating it as Minnesota's land-grant university.

William Watts Folwell was inaugurated as the first president of the University on December 22, 1869. In 1873, two students received the first Bachelor of Arts degrees. In 1888, the first Doctor of Philosophy degree was awarded.

The University of Minnesota is one of the state’s greatest assets and one of the most comprehensive universities in the United States. Through its strategic positioning plan, the University is making strides to become one of the top three public research universities in the world within a decade. At all its locations—Twin Cities, Duluth, Morris, Crookston, and Rochester – the University is moving in a new direction to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

The University offers myriad educational opportunities for its 60,000 students in more than 370 fields of study. The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC) has the most comprehensive academic programs of any institution in the state and the widest range of graduate and professional programs. The University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD) consistently ranks among the top midwestern regional universities in U.S. News and World Report’s America’s Best Colleges issue. In the 2006 edition, the University of Minnesota, Morris (UMM) ranked as one of the top five public liberal arts colleges in the nation. UMM campus leaders have advanced sustainable, environmentally friendly initiatives that touch nearly all aspects of campus life and have received national attention. The University of Minnesota, Rochester (UMR) offers Baccalaureate, Masters, and Doctoral programs and serves the special needs of people in southeastern Minnesota. The University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) offers a technology rich environment and is internationally known as the original laptop University.

The University also has six agricultural experiment stations, two biological stations, one forestry station, and regional extension services throughout the state. A wide variety of public service programs – from dental, medical, and veterinary medicine clinics to K-12 outreach – help more than one million people annually.

The University is the state’s only major research university and brings in more than $500 million in sponsored research awards annually.

The University provides essential educational programs across the state, and its discoveries become new ideas, products, and services that improve Minnesota’s quality of life. In the Institute of Technology alone, graduates have created 2600 active companies in Minnesota, which generate annual revenue of $46 billion and employ about 175,000 people.

As a magnet for talent, the University has helped to make Minnesota a destination state in the Upper Midwest. From the talent it attracts, the University creates professionals in critical areas such as advanced health care. Two thirds of the state’s physicians, dentists, pharmacists, and veterinarians have been educated at the University, as have many of its entrepreneurs and civic and artistic leaders.

Vocabulary:

Entrepreneur [ֽantraprə'nə:] – предприниматель

Land-grant University – университет, созданный на средства, полученные от продажи земли, предоставленной государством

Myriad ['mırıəd] – бесчисленный, несметный

Baccalaureate [ֽbækə'lo:rıt] – степень бакалавра

Laptop - переносной

Outreach ['autrı:t∫] – социально-ориентированная программа

APPENDIX

I. Watch the video “Astrakhan State Technical University as I see it”. Do your best to understand as much as possible. Study the list of the given words to help you:

Campus – университетский городок

self-contained – самостоятельный

quarters – (зд.) здания

faculty – профессорско-преподавательский состав

leisure – досуг

matriculation – зачисление в высшее учебное заведение

day-to-day – повседневный

dormitory – общежитие

the Rector = the Director = the President

a dormitory = a hostel = a hall for residence

gym = gymnastics

II. Watch the video one more time. Make use of the text given below. Now, answer the following questions:

1. What are three main impressive things about Astrakhan State Technical University?

2. What is a campus?

3. What does the campus of ASTU include?

4. What was the University named first?

5. What does “the preparatory faculty” mean?

6. What is located in the main building?

7. Is there any difference between the words “a dormitory” and “a hostel”?

8. What faculties does the fourth academic building contain?

TEXT

ASTRAKHAN STATE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY

AS I SEE IT

Hello, and welcome to Astrakhan State Technical University. My name is John Lenghardt, and I am an instructor of English here at the University. I will be your guide for this short tour of the campus of the University.

Let me begin by mentioning a few of my impressions when I first arrived here in the city and at the campus of the University. First I was impressed by the fact that the campus does exist.

What is a campus? A campus is a selfcontained region which includes all the academic, administrative and living quarters necessary for the students and faculty of the University. I was under the understanding that very few of universities in Europe have campuses, thus I was pleasantly surprised that here, at Astrakhan State Technical University, there is a campus.

Secondly, the campus is quite beautiful and impressive. Here you can see quite a few green areas, parks, flowerbeds, and fountain for students and faculty to relax and also have some time for quiet study. The third impressive thing about the campus of the University are the facilities. There are numerous facilities for all academic as well as leisure time for students and the faculty.

Let me begin by relating some history of the University. As I have been told, the University was founded in the year 1930 as a Fishing Institute and it quickly became one of the most respected institutions in the Soviet Union. Since that time the University has grown and now includes many departments and specialities, from the most recent the Law major and other majors including Economics, Accounting, Shipbuilding.

I'd also like to touch upon one of the most interesting aspects of the University and that is the Preparatory department. As I have come to understand, there are only few universities in Russia which specialize in preparing foreign students for study and matriculation here, in Russia, and the Preparatory faculty is one of the most renowned.

Now I'd like to take a brief tour of the University and begin by looking at the main academic building which is located here to my right. The main academic building is truly the heart of the University. Here are located all of the administrative offices necessary for the dayto-day governing of the University. We can find the office of the Rector or the President of the University as well as the Dean's departments. We also, of course, can find numerous classrooms, which are filled with the most modern and innovative technology, necessary for both theoretical and practical classwork. On the fourth floor we also can find numerous computer laboratories of which students as well as faculty members may take advantage of. On the second floor we find the Red Hall, which is a large and beautifully decorated meeting room, and can be used for all types of meetings and assemblies of the University.

But as I've mentioned, as this is a campus we are concerned not only with the academic aspects but leisure and other interests and thus, the main academic building includes numerous facilities for students and faculty, as well as general public, including a post-office, cafeteria and numerous stalls which sell supplies and books for any of the University community.

When mentioning the facilities of Astrakhan State Technical University we can't but help mentioning the modern gym, which stands right behind me. As I have been told, and as I have noticed it is one of the modern facilities within the city. Here, which is open for both students, faculty members and the public at large, people can relax as well as involve themselves in other proceeds from their academic course work. We can find here basketball and volleyball courts, for example, weight lifting, table tennis facilities, indoor swimmingpool. And from this point we'll continue on, and look at some other buildings and areas of the University.

As we mentioned previously Astrakhan State Technical University campus includes numerous buildings. We have 6 academic buildings, we also have the gym, which we saw, athletic fields and numerous outdoor shops and cafes. The other important areas of the University are dormitories. ASTU consists of 9 dormitories. The word “dormitory” comes to English from the French language, meaning “to sleep”. In British English they often use the word “hostel”. We, in America, prefer the word “dormitory”, and again there are nine of them. Behind me you can see the ninth dormitory, which is the most recent having been completed only within the last year. It contains all modern facilities necessary for students and faculty members. A number of the dormitories are reserved for faculty. We also have a dormitory for married couples and families, and for the large foreign community, which exists here at the ASTU.

And now we finish our tour of the campus of the University with a view of the fourth academic building, my home away from home. Here, as in most of the academic buildings of the University, we can find a modern library filled with manuals and textbooks for all the major offered at the University. But more important we also see the department of foreign languages, where German, French and English are taught. The specialists of the foreign language department prepare their students for a career both professionally in the sense of theoretical courses, translation, to be able to write a dissertation in a foreign language, or perhaps, to research and publish in a foreign language, as well as practical experience and courses in conversational language.

Thus, we would invite anyone interested in proceeding the English language for what any reason to come to Astrakhan State Technical University and meet with us at any time. That will be the close of our university tour. Goodbye.

/by John Lenghardt/

ASTU

Astrakhan State Technical University is situated in one of the most picturesque places of our town, not far from the Great Russian River Volga.

The University possesses several halls for residence (dormitories), on the territory of it you can see cafes, shops, a medical aid center and a clubhouse.

III. Remember the following words and word combinations:

To be founded – быть основанным

To be situated – располагаться

A picturesque place – живописное место

To occupy – занимать

To hold (held, held) – проводить

Faculty – факультет

Department – кафедра

To be at the head – возглавлять

Experienced – опытный

Aspiration – стремление, сильное желание

Auspices – покровительство

IV. Remember the following names:

The Institute of Distance Learning	Институт Дистанционного Образования
The Institute of Marine Technologies, Power Engineering and Transport	Институт Морских Технологий, Силовой Энергетики и Транспорта
The Institute of Biology and Nature Management	Институт Биологии и Природопользования
The Institute of Information Technologies and Communication	Институт Информационных Технологий и Коммуникаций
The Institute of Economics	Институт Экономики
The Institute of Oil and Gas	Институт Нефти и Газа
The Mechanical Faculty	Механический Факультет
The Faculty of Law	Юридический Факультет
The Faculty of Fisheries	Рыбохозяйственный Факультет
The Faculty of Applicant Preliminary Training	Факультет Довузовской подготовки
The Faculty of Optional Vocational Training	Факультет Дополнительного профессионального образования
The Faculty of International Student Preliminary Training	Подготовительный Факультет для иностранных граждан
The Faculty of Secondary Vocational Education	Факультет Средне-Профессионального Образования

V. Answer the following questions:

1. When was ASTU founded?

2. Where is it situated?

3. What can you see on the territory of the university?

4. What are the main Institutes and the faculties of the university?

5. Does the university have excellent sport facilities?

VI. Read and translate the following text:

Institute of Biology and Nature Management

Culture Services and Tourism. The course is designed to provide specialization in Ecological Tourism. The following options are available: Restaurant Services, Hotel Services. A graduate is qualified as a specialist in services and tourism.

Biology. A graduate is qualified as a biologist-ecologist. The course is also available on a modular basis with BSc in Biology program.

Ecology. A specialization in Ecology Law is offered. A graduate is qualified as an ecologist. A joint course with Ecology and Nature Management is available resulting in the award of BSc Ecology degree.

Microbiology. A specialization in Industrial Microbiology is offered. A graduate is qualified as a microbiologist. The course is available with Biology course at the level of the first degree BSc Biology program.

Multiple Utilization and Protection of Water Recourses. The course is designed to provide specialization in ecological expertise. A graduate is qualified as an engineer. The course can be joined on a modular basis with Nature Management course resulting in the award of BSc Engineering and Technology.

Physical Education and Sport Studies. The course offers specialization in the principles and methods of coaching. A graduate is qualified as a specialist in physical education and sport studies.

VII. Describe your Institute and its faculties, using the following names:

1). Institute of Economics:

a) Finance and Credit;

b) Accounting, Business Analysis and Audit;

c) Economics and Management of an Enterprise;

d) Marketing;

e) Management;

f) Advertising;

g) Commerce (Trading);

h) Documentology and Documentation Support of Management;

2). The Institute of Information Technologies and Communication:

a) Computer Science Applications (in Economy);

b) Computer Science Applications (in Services);

c) Integrated Information Security of Automated Systems;

d) Communication Networks and Systems of Commutation;

e) Mobile Means of Communication;

f) Computer Science and Management in Engineering Systems;

g) Computing Machines, Complexes, Systems and Networks;

3) The Faculty of Law:

a) Sociology;

b) Jurisprudence;

c) Psychology;

d) History.

VIII. Read and translate the text: