Part 2. Academic life at BMSTU

To become a student, you need to be good at mathematics and physics, to be technically minded and to be interested in engineering challenges. To become an engineer, you need to take courses in drawing, strength of materials, computer aided design and other engineering subjects in your area of interest. Besides the academic studies, the students are involved in research and get experience during internship at plants. Research is conducted in well-equipped laboratories, workshops, wind tunnels and other state-of-the-art facilities. 

Students are required to attend regular lectures and lessons in academic subjects according to the schedule. Lectures are given by the experienced staff. Students are taught engineering subjects and their academic achievements are assessed by regular progress tests. Undergraduates complete assignments and have supervised homework sessions. All the students are offered access to many extracurricular activities, libraries and free e-mail and internet. Activities include swimming, music, art and engineering experience at Bauman Student Space Centre. Undergraduates and graduates take at least two compulsory hours of sport per week. Many students are provided with on-campus accommodation in short distance from the University.

The course of study lasts 4 years for a Bachelor`s degree, 5 years for a Specialist’s degree and about 6 for a Master`s degree. First and second-year students study such subjects as mathematics, physics, chemistry, descriptive geometry, strength of materials and others. In senior years, they study some specialized subjects depending on the course they take. At the end of each semester students do exams. The final year is devoted to the preparation of a degree project (diploma in Russian). It is carried out under the supervision of an individual tutor and is presented to the State Examination Board. On completing the course of studies graduates can choose a postgraduate course.

 

Speaking. In groups speak about your student life using the following questions.

1) How many lessons do you have every day? What lessons do you attend on Monday and Friday?

2)  Do you live far from the university? How long does it take you to get to the University?

3) How much time do you have for self-preparation? What can you do to improve your ‘time efficiency’?

4)  What subjects do you have to be good at to become a successful BMSTU student?

5) What courses are you taking as a first year student?

6) What specialized courses will be offered by your faculty in the third and fourth years?

7) What courses/subjects contribute the most to the career of an engineer?

8) What degree are you studying for?

9) What field of engineering are you in and what influenced your choice?

10) Do you think that being a BMSTU student is challenging? Why?

 

Before reading. Write eight-ten questions you would like to ask about Cambridge University.

Reading. Below you will find some basic facts about the University of Cambridge. Read the text and check if your questions are answered.

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