Unit 2

ENGLISH DEGREES

 

Task 1. Read and learn the words and word combinations.

to award присуджувати

institution установа

dissertation брит, дипломна робота; амер. докторська дисертація

advanced підвищеного типу

thesis дисертація (брит, будь-яка, амер. нижче докторської)

to submit подавати на розгляд

to justify заслуговувати

doctorate докторський ступінь

 

Task 2. Make up sentences with the words given in task 1.

 

Task 3. Read the text and discuss it. Write a synopsis of the text in five sentences.

ENGLISH DEGREES

The English system of degrees is rather complicated, and therefore often puzzling to foreigners. The practice varies to some extent from one institution to another.

Bachelor's degree

A Bachelor's degree is usually awarded at the end of a three-year course, which most people start at the age of 18/19 after leaving school. In most institutions the awarding of the degree depends entirely on the final examinations although some institutions now demand a dissertation too. The name of a particular degree is Bachelor (from Latin bacca laureatus "увінчаний лавром") followed by the name of the faculty. Thus the first degree in the faculty of arts is called a Bachelor of Arts, in the faculty of science is called a Bachelor of Science and so on. These degrees are often referred to by their initials, both in speech and writing:

e.g. Arts- BA,          Science -B Sc

Master's degree

Originally this was a degree awarded on acceptance of a thesis based on a short period of research, usually soon after graduation. It was taken as an introduction to real research, that is work on a doctoral thesis.

In some universities this is still so. During recent years, however, there has been an increasing tendency to make the Master's degree (MA or MSc) an advanced examination degree, awarded after a year's postgraduate course of study. This new Master's degree is called Master of Philosophy, or M Phil in conversation. The use of the word "philosophy" does not mean that the degree is restricted to philosophy. The name is the same for all faculties, and one may an M Phil in engineering or mathematics, or economics. "Philosophy" here means the same as "наук" in the names кандидат and доктор наук.

In Ukraine the names Bachelor and Master are not considered to be academic degrees.

Doctorate

This is called in full Doctor of Philosophy, but is usually referred to as Ph D. The word order is that of original Latin (philosophical doctor). As in the case of the M Phil described above, "philosophy" has no special reference to philosophy; the name is invariable for all faculties.

A PhD is awarded on acceptance of a thesis which must be an original contribution to knowledge. Research for this degree usually takes about three years, although the length of time needed varies considerably according to the subject. This degree is generally considered to be an equivalent to the Ukrainian кандидатський ступінь.

There is another type of doctorate, which is called in full a senior doctorate, to avoid confusion with the PhD. The name of a particular senior doctorate depends on the field of specialization:

e. g. Doctor of Letter - for art subjects or DLilt - from the Latin doctor litterarum

Doctor of Science - for science subjects or DSc. These degrees are much higher than the PhD, and are comparable in importance to the Ukrainian doctor's degree. However, they differ from the latter in that they do not involve the writing of a thesis. A person wishing to apply for such a degree submits his published works to a board, or committee, who then decide whether these works justify the award of the degree. There is no equivalent in England to the Ukrainian doctorate.

 

Task 4. Translate the following words and word combinations:

Повністю залежати, після закінчення школи, короткотривале дослідження, протягом останніх років, зростаюча тенденція, обмежений до філософії, вважатися науковим ступенем, порядок слів, назва є незмінною для всіх факультетів, вважатися еквівалентом, відрізнятися від останнього, не передбачати написання дисертації, подавати публікації, заслуговувати на присудження ступеня.

 

Task 5. Choose the right variant

1.                A Bachelor's degree is usually awarded at the end of …

a) one-year course.

b) doctorate.

c) a three-year course.

2. The name of a Bachelor’s degree is followed by …

a) the Master's degree.

b) an advanced examination degree.

c) the name of the faculty.

3. Master's degree was awarded on acceptance of …

a) final examinations although some institutions now demand a dissertation too.

b) a thesis based on a short period of research.

c) published works submitted to a Board.

4. The new Master's degree is called ….

a) Master of Science.

b) Master of Letter.

c) Master of Philosophy.

5. Research for PhD degree usually takes …

a) about three years.

b) a short period, usually soon after graduation.

c) a year's postgraduate course of study.

6.The degree of a Senior Doctor is comparable in importance to …

a) Doctor of Science.

b) the Ukrainian doctor's degree.

c) Doctor of Letter.

7. A person wishing to apply for a Senior Doctor’s degree submits …

a) a thesis which must be an original contribution to knowledge.

b) a dissertation.

c) his published works to a board.

 

Task 6. Answer the questions.

1. Why is the English system of degrees puzzling to foreigners?

2. When is a Bachelor's degree awarded?

3. What does the awarding of the degree depend on?

4. How is the first degree in the faculty of Arts called?

5. When was a Master's degree awarded?

6. What is the practice nowadays?

7. Are names Bachelor and Master considered to be academic degrees in Ukraine?

8. When is a Ph D awarded?

9. What is the other type of doctorate?

10.What is the difference between the English senior doctorate and the Ukrainian doctor's degree?

 

Task 7. Translate the following sentences.

1.                У багатьох навчальних закладах ступінь бакалавра присвоюють після останнього іспиту. 2. Слово «бакалавр» – латинського походження. 3. Ступінь магістра присвоюється після проведення та захисту невеликого наукового дослідження. 4. В Україні ступені бакалавра та магістра не вважаються науковими ступенями. 5. Англійський ступінь доктора філософії не має жодного відношення до філософії як науки. 6. Європейський науковий ступінь доктора наук відповідає українському ступеню кандидата наук. 7. Для отримання вищого докторського ступеня не потрібно захищати докторську дисертацію. 8. Вищий докторський ступінь присуджується, якщо наукові публікації претендента варті присудження цього ступеня. 9. Наукові праці претендента на вищий докторський ступінь оцінюються спеціальною комісією.

 

Task 8 Define briefly the subject of the investigation you carry out. Say whether you will describe the study or you will restrict yourself to some part of it. Tell the group when the investigation was conducted or started if it is still under way.

 

Lexical revision.

Commonly misused words. Translate the sentences. Choose the correct usage with the help of a dictionary if necessary.

1.  Many a would-be-bride has been left at the altar /alter. Would it inconvenient for you to altar /alter your plans for this weekend?

2. The campaign director divided the state among /between his three most competent assistants. In many of today's homes, the care of the children is divided among /between the two parents.

3. You would not believe the amount /number of' the time I have spent on the project. I wish I could refuse the amount /number of hours I has spent on this project.

4. Ira was angry at /angry with the thought of working overtime, Ira was angry at /angry with his boss for insisting that Ira work overtime.

5.1 am anxious /eager about the diagnosis. I am anxious /eager to see your new car.