PhD Thesis defense

The time to submit the PhD thesis will be determined with respect to the scientific achievements as judged by the Thesis Adviser and the TAC (Thesis Advisory Committee), the requirements of the doctoral schools, and the work contract.

Specific requirements in the writing of the thesis will follow guidelines from the doctoral schools. This will set the starting a thesis defense deposit procedure. Accordingly, the following will be generally set, which might differ slightly according to the doctoral schools:

● The scientific content (decided and monitored by the Thesis Adviser)

● The composition of the jury

● The calendar of events before the final defense day according to the respective doctoral schools

● Notification of the doctoral school

● Approval by the president of the doctoral school and the president of the university of the composition of the jury

● Scheduling of the defense date

● Deposition of the Thesis manuscript

● Defense day per se (непосредственно, как таковой)

● Report of the Thesis jury to the doctoral school

● Fulfillment of all requirements (administrative and otherwise) for getting the PhD diploma.

■ Find the underlined words and phrases in the text which mean the same as the following definitions:

1) having two types of culture; 2) someone who does research;

3) to make relationship easier; 4) investors;

5) to connect; 6) pleased to accept;

7) a completed unit of a student’s work that forms part of a course;

8) to happen as a final result; 9) to form an opinion;

10) something that you must do; 11) official (instructions);

12) to establish a standard; 13) usually in a stated place;

14) members (here); 15) an official announcement;

16) an official agreement; 17) planning;

18) a solemn statement; 19) a piece of writing;

20) a written statement.

1.13. Look at the phrases taken from the text and explain what they mean in your own words.

1. “… research sections … are the driving force of the institution …”

2. “The Technology Transfer Office … strives to promote the work of the researchers …”

3. “Solidly anchored in the European Higher Area …”

4. “… to face challenging international competition.”

5. “… the European Credit Transfer System …”

6. “… the defence of a doctoral thesis …”

7. “… a specific entrance selection procedure …”

8. “… to submit the PhD thesis …”

1.14. Give some facts from the text to prove the following:

1. The University of Strasbourg is one of the largest in Europe.

2. Research and training have been undertaken at the University for over 500 years.

3. The University has a reputation for international education.

4. It offers a wide range of graduate and postgraduate courses within faculties, schools and institutes.

5. Opportunities for research leading to the degree of PhD are available.

6. The University of Strasbourg is a leading institution in respect of its research activities.

1.15. Answer the following questions.

1. When did the University appear in Strasbourg?

2. What subjects could the students study at the University in the 17^th century?

3. How was the University of Strasbourg separated in 1968?

4. How many students study at the University?

5. Which areas of teaching does the University of Strasbourg cover?

6. Which Doctoral Schools are there at the University?

7. What culminates doctoral studies?

8. How do you consider the procedure of PhD thesis defence – complicated or common?

1.16. Translate the following sentences from Russian into English.

1. Университет Бирмингема (Birmingham) является одним из ведущих университетов Соединённого Королевства.

2. Университет был основан в 1900 году и в настоящее время обучает 25.000 студентов.

3. В состав университета входит 18 факультетов, Бизнес-школа и Центр непрерывного образования.

4. Бирмингемский университет стал основателем международного объединения университетов.

5. Это открыло перед студентами широкие возможности участия в международных программах обмена, а перед исследователями – перспективы совместных работ.

6. Бирмингемский университет входит в состав The Russel Group – ассоциации, объединяющей 20 наиболее сильных в научном отношении британских университетов.

7. Язык общения в университете – английский.

8. В университете обучается более 4.000 иностранных студентов.

9. Бирмингемский университет предлагает широкий ряд программ обучения, среди которых – 500 бакалаврских и более 300 постдипломных учебных программ.

10. Университет является одним из наиболее престижных образовательных учреждений Великобритании благодаря отличному качеству обучения и высокому уровню исследовательской работы.

1.17. Answer the following questions. Then make up a dialogue with your partner using your answers.

1. How long have you been studying English?

2. What is English for you:

a pleasure a necessity a hobby

an opportunity a problem an investment?

3. Does learning English need specialist training?

4. What do you think about practical application of English?

5. Which material have you read and translated from English (American) journals and magazines?

6. Have you found any interesting books, journals, articles while looking through the current publications?

7. Are they concerned with your research?

8. What information is important for your work?

9. Do you consider reading scientific literature in English to be useful for your research?