The Linguistic Culture-10 (Education and Science in the USA) (1157936), страница 3
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Normallyneither a language examination nor a thesis is required for MAT, but course inpractical teaching is usually incorporated.The master’s degree program is not, however, considered to be a research degree,but rather preparation for the PhD. Doctoral programs usually consist of at least 3years of study beyond the baccalaureate.There are 2 quite distinct types of doctoral programs: the professional degree andthe research degree. The first type represents advanced training for the practice ofa given profession, such as the Doctor of Medicine, the Doctor of Dental Science,and similar degrees.
These degrees do not imply original research.The research doctorate (PhD) is the highest earned degree in the Americangraduate school. Candidates usually follow a program of studies concentrated inone of the major fields of knowledge. They are normally required to demonstratereading proficiency in at least two foreign languages.
After a student hassatisfactorily completed his course work and met his foreign languagerequirements, he must take a comprehensive examination to demonstrate a generalknowledge of his field. It may be oral or written or both, and is evaluated by aspecial committee. The final period of predoctoral study is given to the preparationof the dissertation (this may require several years to finish). The prospectivedoctor of philosophy should defend the conclusions of his dissertation.Consequently, it is frequently the custom to make public announcements of thedate and place of the final examination and to permit the attendance of anyscholars who may wish to participate.18years old to21years to1Pstyear-freshman2PndorEducation3d year-junior(bachelor’s4Pth year-seniordegree)Master’s programyearsGraduate3 to6 yearsProfessional schoolProfessional(law, medicine)3 to5 yearUniversityyear- Undergraduatesophomore2CollegeDoctoral program(after M.A.
program)EducationorSome colleges and universities also award honorary degrees as a form ofdeserved recognition for distinguished public service or for outstanding creativework.The concept of continuing (or lifelong) education is of great importance toAmericans. Every year, over ten percent of all adult Americans further theireducation through participation in part-time instruction.
Some estimate that asmany as 45 million adult Americans are currently taking courses in universities,colleges, professional associations, government organizations or even churches andsynagogues.1. Answer the questions.I. What were the aims of early institutions of higher learning?2. Did American colleges duplicate their British counterparts in all respects?3.
List the changes that took place in the American system of higher education inthe 19th century?4. What does the word “school” mean as applied to an American university?5. When were women first admitted to American universities?6. Is public education in the USA centralized? Is there a unified system ofeducation in the USA?7.
At what age do children begin to attend school in the USA? What is anelementary school in the USA?8. What is a high school in the USA?9. What is the theoretical basis of the great amount of time allotted to extracurricular activities?10. What kind of personality do they try to develop in American school-students?11. Is there a national system of higher education?12.
How can an American school-leaver enter a higher educational institution?13. What are the entrance standards and admission policies at Americanuniversities and Colleges?14. What are the levels of the American higher learning?15. What are “majoring” and “minoring” in American higher education?16. What are the American degrees?2. Translate the Russian words and phrases into English:Основной принцип; образование; общее образование; децентрализацияобразования; детский сад; начальная школа; средняя школа; класс, оценка,система образования, программа обучения, учебный год, домашнее задание,каникулы, учащийся, основные предметы, бесплатное обучение, частнаяшкола, плата за обучение, внеклассная деятельность, окончить школу,училище, требования при поступлении в университет, общественные науки,точные науки, предметы гуманитарного цикла, ректор университета, декан,заведующий кафедрой, отсев учащихся, разделение учащихся поспособностям, студент первого года обучения, второго, третьего; студентотличник, окончить университет, учиться в магистратуре, аспирантуре.American ScienceRead and translate the following key words and word combinations:Scientific establishments , to lag behind , challenges of World War I ,Scientific undertakings, to follow the suit, under the auspices [ ‘o:spisэs], to regainmomentum , to pave the way ,to be second to none.In the American colonies approach to science was practical.
The trade wasassociated with sailing so scientific interest focused on astronomy,mathematics, topography, meteorology and stimulated usefulness fornavigation and agriculture. Almost all scientific activities in New Englandwere concentrated in Boston, which from the beginning became theintellectual capital of New England. Another cultural center was inPhiladelphia, which had more political, cultural and intellectual ties withEurope.After the revolution and independence new favorable conditions fororganization science were gradually created. In the late 18th and the early19th centuries new ideas and technology demanded new approaches andteamwork. In 1848 the American Association for the Advancement of Sciencewas founded.In 1863 the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) was organized.
The creation ofthe Academy originated from the immediate practical problems of the time of theCivil War. It also reflected the fact that at that time the US was beginning toemerge as a technological country. The Academy created departments related toscientific and technological problems (the Geological Survey, the National Bureauof Standards, the US Weather Bureau, the Patent Office, etc.). The need forscientific instruction led to the organization of scientific schools and centers oflearning and research (at Yale and Harvard Universities).In 1861 theMassachusettsInstituteofTechnologywasfounded.The challenges of World War I had a far-reaching effect on the development ofscience in the USA.
During the war and after it American universities producedthe great number of well-trained scientists and engineers. With the introductionof graduate schools into American education scientific research began to play amajor role in many universities. American industry began to have a scientificfoundation; several of the larger industries established research laboratories ofinternational level. The Federal Government also developed a number of scientificagencies.Like education, the US scientific establishments have always been seriousresponses to society’s practical needs. Since America was rich in natural resourcesbut relatively poor in personnel for education and research, the FederalGovernment did a lot to master resources for the guidance of the nation’sscientific community.
A few scientists from other countries were invited. Amongthem the inventor of the telephone Alexander Graham Bell from Scotland, adeveloper of alternating-current electrical systems Charles Steinmetz fromGermany, the creator of television camera Vladimir Zworykin,. the serb NikolaTesla who invented brushless electrical motor based on rotating magnetic fields.During World War II a lot of leading European scientists, many of them of Jewishdescent, fled to America from the regimes of their countries. One of the first to doso was Albert Einstein.
After him a good percentage of Germany’s theoreticalphysics community left for the US as well This circumstance gave Americanscience in general and the American academy in particular a mighty boost.In the mid-1950s the US government gave huge investments to the sciencesector, which attraced scientists from all over the world to work there. Theresearch facilities in the US were second to none, and scientists were drawn tothe US for this reason alone. That led to the situation that since 1950, Americanshave won approximately half of the Nobel Prizes in the sciences. (so far over 781).It is also worth mentioning that among the American Nobel Prize winners thereare not a few Russian former compatriots (over 60), who moved to the USAduring different periods of time and under different circumstances. Undoubtedly,they have left a considerable “Russian” trace both in American and the worldscience.