Lomonosov Moscow State University

One of the oldest Russian institutions of higher education, Moscow State University was established in 1755. In 1940 it was named after Academician Mikhail Lomonosov (1711 - 1765), an outstanding Russian scientist, who greatly contributed to the establishment of the university in Moscow.

Nowadays, the University retains its role of a major center of learning and research as well as an important cultural center. Its academics and students follow the long-standing traditions of the highest academic standards and democratic ideals.

It offers training in almost all branches of modern science and humanities. Its undergraduates may choose one of 128 qualifications in its 39 faculties, while post-graduate students may specialize in 18 branches of science and humanities and in 168 different areas. More than 40 000 students (graduate and postgraduate) and about 10 000 undergraduates study at the university, and over 5 000 specialists do the refresher course here. More than 6 000 professors and lecturers, and about 5 000 scientists and scholars are currently involved in 350 research projects in various fields. Every year Moscow University enrolls about 4 000 international students and postgraduates from all over the world.

The head of a university is Rector. Each faculty has a number of specialized departments and is headed by dean. As training highly qualified specialists has always been the main goal, the faculties and departments constantly revise their curricula and introduce new programs. A number of faculties offer 4-year Bachelor’s and 2-year Master’s Degree programs, together with traditional 5-year Specialist Degree programs. Currently the stress is on student's ability to work independently and meet employer's requirements, thus practical experience in the field being of foremost importance.

The academic year in this higher school is divided into two terms (semesters). Students take exams at the end of each semester. If the results of the examinations are good, students get grants. Twice a year students have vacations- two weeks in winter and two months in summer.

Moscow University campus is an extremely complex system, with its 1 000 000 m² floor area in 1 000 old and new buildings and structures with its 8 dormitories housing over 12 000 students and 300 km of utility lines.

There are many various laboratories. There is a very good library and a computer center in the main building. MSU library system is one of the largest in Russia, with its 9 000 000 books, 2 000 000 of them in foreign languages, and the average number of readers 55 000, using 5 500 000 books a year. Every faculty has its own specialized library, laboratories, work-shops and computer centers.

The first- and second-year students study general engineering subjects. In the third year students begin to study specialized subjects.

A very good tradition of Moscow State University is that theory is accompanied by practical training. Students begin to work at the University’s well-equipped laboratories and in senior years at various plants, design offices and research institutes of our country.

It is interesting but difficult to study at the University, especially for the first-year students, as they do not know yet how to organize their work and time.