Types of postgraduate programs

Task 6 Useful words

postgraduate certificate - PGCert - свидетельство об окончании аспирантуры

postgraduate diploma - PGDip - диплом об окончании аспирантуры

postgraduate level – уровень аспирантуры

postgraduate studies, аспирантура

research, n научное исследование, исследовательская работа

research degree учёная степень

research prosecution проведение исследовательской работы

science, n наука

scientist, n учёный

scientific, adj научный

Task 7 Translate the sentences

1. After passing candidate exams, postgraduates get postgraduate certificates or postgraduate diplomas. Postgraduate certificate allows thesis. 2. Getting postgraduate diploma is a new stage towards the thesis. Postgraduate diploma comprises the name of postgraduate course, the place of studies and the final results of studies during postgraduate training. 3. Postgraduate level is higher than the one of the magistracy. Postgraduate level ensures the career promotion. 4. I will take a course of postgraduate studies after magistracy. I am going to take my postgraduate training in Engineering. 5. I have been conducting the research for two years under the adviser’s supervision. The results of my research are both published and presented in the electronic form. 6. Getting the research degree is the final and main purpose of postgraduate studies. Research degree opens the way to research broadening and achieving better results in science. 7. Research prosecution is very important both in theoretical and practical research. Research prosecution is an integral part of the methodological base of studies. 8. My advisor devoted all his life to science. Science is the main thing for the scientist. 9. He is a distinguished scientist in computer science field. I admire his activity. 10. The results of the scientific work are published in scientific journals or in abstracts of thesis, in books, articles and reports. There is the catalogue of scientific publications in traditional and electronic libraries.

Task 8 Read about the types of postgraduate programs.

Types of Postgraduate Programs

Actually, there are two main types of postgraduate programs: taught and research. What is the difference? How can one define the program type? In taught programs training is mainly carried out through classroom lectures and practice, seminars, computing and laboratory, coursework and exams. The work in a research program is the knowledge development. It is usually part of the educational institution research. The entry criteria and the description are of a great help.

All master’s programs contain the research elements, and there are some combined programs with taught and research elements, for example, the Doctor of Engineering (DEng). Funded integrated programs are of special interest. The designation ‘3+1’ means an academic year in the master’s studies and three-year PhD. The conversion courses are intended to change the students’ research direction according to the new career. That is why these courses are intense and deep in the new research subject. Program coordinators help everybody to choose the program.

In fact, stand-alone taught postgraduate programs are the first stage in postgraduate education before obtaining a research degree. In the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the UK) there are three levels in taught program: postgraduate certificate (PGCert), postgraduate diploma (PGDip) or masters (in science − MSc). They are less than a year and can be either a part of continuing professional development (CPD) or preparation for the full time taught program.

Sometimes diplomas (MScDiplomas) are awarded to students following the masters (full time program during a year, part time program for two years) without completing the dissertation (20, 000 words). Engineering programs can be achieved both as an extended period of undergraduate study during a year – M (Eng) or stand-alone one-year programs for thorough learning the specific area of the discipline − MSc.

In research programs the master’s level for two years is called Master of Research (MRes) or Master of Philosophy (MPhil). All these programs teach mainly the research skills. PhD is the highest research degree, three years or more. It is much longer, from 7, 000 to 10, 000 words. With PhD one becomes a leading expert in a certain specialization.

Task 9 Answer the questions.

1. Which types of programs are the most effective ones?

2. Identify the types of programs and their learning goals.

3. Express your point of view and try to prove it with facts.

4. Speak about what PhD is.

5. Are you going to become PhD yourself?