Follow-up activities

1. Roleplay.

Student A: You are a postgraduate of the Belarusian State University and want to get some information about the supervisory system of a British university. Interview student B about it.

Student B: You are doing your postgraduate studies at a British university. Share your information with student A.

2. Speak about the supervisory system of the BSU.

3. In pairs or small groups, discuss your viewpoints on an ideal supervisor.

4. Write an essay about your supervisor.

UNIT 6

FIELD OF SCIENCE AND RESEARCH

Pre-reading tasks

1. You are to read the text “Mathematics” (“Physics”). In your opinion,

– what are the current issues in your field of science?

– what are the latest achievements or fundamental discoveries made in your field of science?

2. Can you name some distinguished researchers (scientists) working in your field of science? What are they famous for?

3. Write words for their definitions. Make use of the initial letters to identify the words.

a. e … result, outcome; impression produced on the mind of a spectator, hearer, reader, etc;

b. a … forward movement, progress;

c. o … in a position to be easily noticed, attracting notice;

d. i … to have an effect on;

e. p … … to advance, to put before people for consideration;

f. r … (having existed, been made, happened) not long before, begun not long ago;

g. i … to examine, to inquire into, to make a careful study of;

h. p … to say, to tell in advance;

i. c … … to perform, to conduct; to do as required or specified, to fulfill.

4. Match nouns and verbs to form collocations. Use each word (a verb or a noun) once only. Make use of the texts below to fulfill the task.

to make	concepts
to accumulate	a view
to recognize	disciplines
to be concerned with	phenomena
to divide into	human activity
to hold	the value
to accompany	use of discoveries
to introduce	applications
to embrace	knowledge

Reading

Read the text “Mathematics” and choose appropriate words to fill in the blanks.

TEXT A

MATHEMATICS

Mathematics is often 1) … as the study of topics such as quantity, structure, 2) … and change. Another 3) …, held by many mathematicians, is that mathematics is the body of 4)…. justified by deductive reasoning, starting from axioms and definitions.

Practical mathematics, in nearly every society, is used for such purposes as accounting, 5) … and predicting astronomical events. Mathematical discovery or 6) … often involves discovering and cataloging patterns, without 7) … for application. Other 8) … … …, such as the natural sciences, engineering, economics, or medicine, make use of many new mathematical discoveries.

Mathematics is a Greek word, and, by origin, it means something that must be learnt or understood, perhaps “acquired knowledge” or “knowledge acquirable by learning” or “general knowledge”. The word mathematics is a contraction of all these phrases. What is mathematics in the modern sense of the term? There is no simple, general and unique answer to this question.

Mathematics as a science, viewed as a 9) …, is a collection of branches. The largest branch is that which 10) … the ordinary whole numbers, fractions, and irrational numbers, or what, collectively, is 11) … the real number system. Arithmetic, algebra, the study of 12) …, the calculus, differential equations are all developments of the real number 13) …. This part of mathematics is termed the mathematics of number. A second branch is geometry 14) … of several geometries. Mathematics contains many more fields. Each branch has the same logical structure: it begins with certain 15) …., such as the whole numbers or integers in the mathematics of number, and such as point, line and triangle in geometry.

The basic concepts of the main branches of mathematics are abstractions from experience, “implied by their obvious physical counterparts. But it is noteworthy, that many more concepts are introduced which are, in essence, creations of the human mind with or without any help of experience. Irrational numbers, negative numbers and so forth are not wholly abstracted from the physical practice, for the man’s mind must create the notion of entirely new types of numbers to which operations such as addition, multiplication, and the like can be applied.

Applied mathematics is a branch of mathematics that concerns itself with the application of mathematical knowledge to other domains. Such applications include numerical analysis, mathematical physics, mathematics of engineering, linear programming, mathematical biology, information theory, probability and statistics, cryptography and combinatorics, financial mathematics, etc.

1. a) explained b) defined c) named d) characterized

2. a) area b) room c) space d) location

3. a) vision b) prospect c) sight d) view

4. a) learning b) knowledge c) erudition d) data

5. a) measuring b) weighing c) counting d) evaluating

6. a) examination b) research c) hypothesis d) theory

7. a) regard b) reference c) estimation d) concern

8. a) fields of knowledge b) branches c) sciences d) theories

9. a) entire b) whole c) undivided d) complete

10 a) develops b) investigates c) inspects d) modifies

11. a) called b) denoted c) exclaimed d) labelled

12. a) uses b) functions c) activities d) operations

13 a) procedure b) scheme c) system d) arrangement

14. a) including b) containing c) consisting d) embracing

15. a) hypotheses b) ideas c) thoughts d) concepts

Read the whole text attentively to fulfill the tasks given in Comprehension check.

Comprehension check

1. Choose the best ending a, b, or c.

Mathematics is often defined as the study of topics such as

a) quantity, structure, space and change.

b) whole numbers, fractions, and irrational numbers.

c) points, lines and triangles.

Mathematical discoveries involve

a) researching patterns taking into account their applications.

b) creating new abstractions.

c) discovering and cataloging patterns without regard for application.

By its origin mathematics is a Greek word and it means

a) something that must be learnt or understood, perhaps “acquired knowledge”.

b) a whole number.

c) nature.

Arithmetic, algebra, the calculus, differential equations

a) are included in the mathematics of integers.

b) contain many more divisions.

c) are all developments of the real number system.

Irrational and negative numbers

a) are wholly abstracted from the physical practice.

b) are not entirely abstracted from practice.

c) are creations of the human mind without any help of experience.

2. Find the answers to the questions in the text.

1. How can one define mathematics?

2. What is practical mathematics used for?

3. What can mathematical research involve?

4. What does the word mathematics mean?

5. What are the main branches of mathematics?

6. What do you understand by the real number system?

7. What part of mathematics is termed the mathematics of number?

8. What are the basic concepts of mathematics?

9. What does applied mathematics concern itself with?

3. Read the sentences given below and decide whether you agree or disagree. Think about your reasons.

1. Practical mathematics is used for accounting and measuring.

2. Not all fields of knowledge make use of mathematical discoveries.

3. The word mathematics takes its origin from Latin.

4. There is no generally accepted definition of mathematics.

5. Mathematics as a science is divided into several branches such as algebra, geometry, differential equations.

6. The largest branch of mathematics deals with real numbers.

7. The basic concepts in mathematics are abstractions from experience.

8. Applied mathematics is connected with applications of mathematical theories and ideas to other fields of science.

9. In most cases mathematics is applied to the Humanities.

4. The sentences below sum up the contents of the text “Mathematics”, but they are mixed up. Put them in the right order.

1. The main concepts of mathematics are abstractions from experience.

2. The word mathematics takes its origin from the Greek word which means “knowledge acquired by learning” or “general knowledge”.

3. Mathematics is the body of knowledge confirmed by deductive reasoning.

4. But many more concepts are, in essence, creations of the human mind with or without any help of experience.

5. Different fields of knowledge make use of mathematical discoveries.

6. Each branch of mathematics begins with certain concepts.

7. Applied mathematics deals with different applications of mathematical knowledge to other domains such as physics, biology, economics, etc.

8. Mathematics consists of some branches, the largest of which being the so-called mathematics of number.

9. Practical mathematics is applied for such purposes as measuring, accounting and predicting some events.

Reading

Read the text “Physics” and fill in the blanks with the proper words.

TEXT B

PHYSICS

What exactly is physics? What 1) … have physicists been able to make, and what new discoveries are physicists making today?

Four hundred years ago the 2) … physicist would not have been understood. The 3) … of science was then the study of natural philosophy – a single discipline concerned with the scientific 4) … of all natural phenomena, and the subsequent formulation of “laws of nature” capable of embracing these 5) …. But since those Renaissance days, the growth of scientific 6) … has been so great that natural philosophy has 7) … into numerous different disciplines –physics, chemistry, Earth sciences, zoology, botany and many others. Nevertheless, it is perhaps true to say that of all the natural 8) …, physics remains closest to the original idea of those early natural philosophers; it is that branch of science still most directly 9) … with studying natural events.

To attempt to 10) … physics in a couple of sentences, however, is all but impossible. The dictionary describes it as “the 11) … of matter, energy and motion”. And certainly physics is, in 12) …, about understanding the material world, and the interaction of one part of it with another. Yet clearly, physics is also what physicists do, and as such it 13) … all the kinds of abstract qualities that accompany any field of human activity. Physics is a curious 14) … of creative effort and lucky discovery, of painstaking experimentation and mathematical 15) …, of accumulated knowledge and unifying ideas, of philosophical implications and practical applications. Many new insights in physics have been prompted by a firm belief that the true explanation of some phenomena cannot possibly be as complicated as it would at first sight appear. Most physicists would agree that one of the goals of physics is to attempt “to explain the world” with the simplest possible array of ideas and equations. Besides economic applications, physics has had a general cultural impact on the development of modern thought.

Graduates from all courses are well-trained physicists qualified for entry into a wide range of careers, including academic physics, industry, teaching and scientific computing. In addition, employers in nonscientific field recognize the value of training in physics; every year a substantial portion of our graduates are employed in finance, management and commercial computing.

“Physics”, it has been said, “is whatever physicists are doing”.

1. a) discoveries b) research c) developments d) theories

2. a) concept b) expression c) term d) name

3. a) research b) study c) investigation d) development

4. a) knowledge b) inquiry c) investigation d) discovery

5. a) phenomena b) concepts c) happenings d) occurrences

6. a) facts b) knowledge c) ideas d) understanding

7. a) separated b) parted c) merged d) divided

8. a) fields b) branches c) sciences d) studies

9. a) pertaining b) involved c) interested d) concerned

10. a) define b) determine c) designate d) explain

11. a) theory b) study c) research d) explanation

12. a) particular b) some extent c) large part d) a greater or lesser degree

13. a) reflects b) reproduces c) considers d) contemplates

14. a) mixture b) alloy c) blend d) compound

15. a) intuition b) conclusions c) induction d) deduction

Read the text “Physics” again to fulfill the tasks given in Comprehension check.

Comprehension check

1. Complete the sentences with the best ending a, b, or c.

The study of science was then

a) the study of physics.

b) the study of natural philosophy.

c) the study of mathematics.

Natural philosophy was a single discipline concerned with

a) the scientific investigation of all natural phenomena.

b) the formulation of laws of nature.

c) the explanation of fundamental laws of nature.

Since Renaissance the growth of scientific knowledge has been so great that natural philosophy

a) has divided into two main branches: experimental and theoretical.

b) has divided into numerous disciplines.

c) has given rise to physics and mathematics.

To attempt to define physics in a couple of sentences

a) is quite easy.

b) is rather difficult.

c) is all but impossible.

Physics

a) studies interactions of different natural phenomena.

b) is about understanding of the material world.

c) deals primarily with phenomena that can be described in terms of matter and energy.

One of the aims of physics is

a) to explain the world using the simplest ideas and theories.

b) to describe all natural phenomena.

c) to provide accurate knowledge about actual behaviour of natural phenomena.

2. Give the answers to the questions.

1. What was the only scientific discipline that existed 400 years ago?

2. What was it concerned with?

3. Why did new sciences arise in the period of Renaissance?

4. Why does physics remain closest to the original ideal of those early natural philosophers?

5. Why is it impossible to define physics in a couple of sentences?

6. How is physics generally defined?

7. What is physics, in your opinion?

8. Do you agree with any definition of physics given in the text? Why?

9. What is one of the most important aims of physics?

10. How can physics influence the development of modern thought?

11. Where can graduates from Physics faculties of different universities be employed?

3. Mark the sentences below T (true) or F (false). Give arguments to support your opinion.

1. Even in the 17^th century scientists understood the word physicist.

2. Scientific investigations at that time were concerned with the study of natural philosophy.

3. As a result of the division of natural philosophy a number of different disciplines appeared.

4. Physics is no longer concerned with the ideas of early natural philosophers.

5. Anyone can give an exact definition of physics.

6. Physics is what physicists do.

7. Today physicists believe that the true explanation of natural phenomena cannot be as complicated as it might appear at first sight.

8. The main aim of physics is to try to explain the world using the simplest ideas and theories.

9. Graduates from Physics faculties can be employed everywhere.

4. Organize the jumbled sentences given below to sum up the contents of the text “Physics”.

1. Physics greatly influences the development of modern thought.

2. Several centuries ago the term physics didn’t exist as the only scientific discipline of that time was natural philosophy that investigated all natural phenomena.

3. Physics has a wide spectrum of aims, one of which is to explain the world using the simplest ideas and equations.

4. What is physics and what discoveries are physicists making nowadays?

5. Future physicists are well-trained specialists who can be employed in different fields including academic physics, industry, teaching, etc.

6. One can give different definitions of physics, e.g. it is a curious mixture of creative effort and lucky discovery, of experimentation and mathematical deduction, etc.

7. Due to the growth of scientific knowledge a number of different sciences arose.

Vocabulary work

1. Find in two columns words with the opposite meaning.

recent	to break
to acquire	to degenerate
to create	to fail
origin	termination
to develop	usual
to achieve	out-of-date
outstanding	to lose

(B). Choose from the box above appropriate words and use them in suitable forms.

1. … methods never promote a solution of a problem.

2. She kept the diet to … some weight.

3. Her behaviour … a bad impression.

4. Everyone needs time to play, but some let it …. into laziness.

5. Who knows what tree … from a small seed?

6. They … what they set out to do.

7. The Nobel Prize is awarded for an … contribution to science.

8. I want to trace the … of the word “science”.

9. He brought his experiments to a ….

10. I … words to express my thanks.

2. (A). Match words with similar meanings.

to contribute	to foresee
to carry out	field
to predict	recent
to influence	to research
branch	to conduct
to study	to further
latest	to advance
to put forward	to affect

(B). Fill in the blanks using the proper words from the box above in suitable forms. (Sometimes more than one word can be used).

1. He has … greatly to the development of national science.

2. She … an examination yesterday.

3. I … she’ll be a success at the party.

4. The news … him greatly.

5. He was eminent in his ….

6. They have spent a lot of time … into the effects of certain chemicals on the human brain.

7. Ours was a … acquaintance.

8. A suitable idea has already been … by the chairman.

3. Choose appropriate verbs or adjectives from the box and combine them with the following nouns: research, theory, scientist, advances. Think of 3-4 sentences where these expressions can be used.

latest	to develop	to suggest	to carry on	outstanding
world-known	to carry out	to advance	prominent	to do
to put forward	recent	to conduct	to modify	to follow

4. (A). Name nouns that can be formed using the verbs given below. Use the texts above to fulfill the task. (Be careful as not all nouns can be found in the texts). Add some more nouns if possible.

To research, to develop, to predict, to investigate, to influence, to discover.

(B). Complete the sentences using some of the nouns derived from the verbs mentioned above.

1. They were engaged in ….

2. It was a … unimaginative a decade earlier.

3. The … proved correct.

4. He is an … in his field.

5. On closer … we discovered the cause of the fire.

6. Several years ago he made a world-shaking ….

5. Fill in the blanks using the words from the box.

accumulates	advances	field of research	influenced	study
branches	outstanding	carries out	contributed

1. Her current … is laser physics.

2. She … research in the field of nanotechnologies.

3. Being an … scientist Faraday … a lot to the development of experimental physics.

4. On the basis of recent achievements they predicted further … in their field of science.

5. Physics is divided into half a dozen or more different ….

6. Science is systemized knowledge derived through experimentation, observation and ….

7. The branch of science she is concerned with … knowledge about the use of lasers in medicine.

8. His discovery … further progress in chemistry.

6. Replace the word in italics in each sentence with the word from the box. Use each word once only.

hypothesis	current	prominent	to conduct	effect
predicting	knowledge	investigates	suggested

1. What is known as modern science studies the phenomena of physical nature.

2. Theory establishes relationships between cause and result.

3. Observation and description are not sufficient for understanding and ultimately forecasting actions.

4. To carry out an analysis one often needs to be engaged in abstraction.

5. Physics gives us accurate information of the actual behaviour of natural phenomena.

6. He proposed some idea to explain the data obtained.

7. What are the present issues in your field of research?

8. They invited several distinguished scientists to their conference.

7. Fill in the crossword puzzle.

1↓
7→

Down

1. Smth done successfully, with effort and skill.

2. To have an influence or impression on; to act on.

3. Act of contributing, smth contributed.

4. (Of persons) distinguished, eminent.

5. Developing or being developed; a new stage which is the result of developing.

6. Now passing; of the present time; in common or general use.

Across

7. To make or become greater in number or quantity; to come or gather together.

8. Translate into English.

1. Сейчас он занят исследованием структуры наноматериалов.

2. Чтобы провести эти эксперименты, потребуется много времени.

3. На нашей конференции присутствовало несколько выдающихся ученых, которые внесли значительный вклад в развитие физики.

4. Гипотеза, выдвинутая несколько десятилетий назад, только недавно нашла свое подтверждение.

5. Самые последние достижения в области медицины обсуждались на ежегодном конгрессе медиков.

6. Наш план был успешно выполнен.

7. Ее область исследования – криптография. Она заинтересовалась ею еще будучи студенткой второго курса.

8. Эти открытия значительно повлияли на дальнейшее развитие теоретической физики.

Follow-up activities

1. Prepare a report about your field of science.

2. In pairs, ask for and give information on your field of science and research.

3. Interview each other on the progress made in your fields of science and its influence on life today.

UNIT 7

RESEARCH PROBLEM

Pre-reading tasks

1. The text you are going to read is headlined “What is a research problem?” Think of as many questions as possible the answers to which you hope to find in the text. Write down these questions.

2. In pairs, ask and answer these questions.

3. Do you consider your current research problem topical? Support your viewpoint by convincing evidence.

4. Match the words in the column A (most of them are in the text below) with their definitions in the column B.

A	B
problem	fact put forward as cause of or justification for smth;
outline	to speak or write smth about; refer to;
to mention	to demand, put forward, take for granted, as a necessary fact, as a basis for reasoning;
significant	question to be solved or decided, esp. smth difficult;
value	books dealing with a special subject;
to postulate	worth of smth when compared with smth else;
hypothesis	statement of the chief facts, points, etc;
reason	having a special or suggestive meaning; important;
literature	idea, suggestion put forward as a starting point for reasoning or explanation.

5. The words given in the box can be combined to form collocations. Use each word once only. Make use of the text below to fulfill the task.

to cover	a distinction
to keep in	research
to reconcile	a need
to feel	a goal
to make	a theory
to reach	controversies
to give rise to	a field
to identify	mind
to originate from	opinions
to substantiate	ill at ease

Reading

Read the first four paragraphs of the text “What is a research problem?” and choose appropriate words to fill in the blanks.

WHAT IS A RESEARCH PROBLEM?

Research 1) … a cycle. It 2) … with a problem and ends with a 3) … to the problem. The problem 4) … is therefore the axis which the whole research revolves around, because it 5) … in short the aim of the research.

1 WHAT IS A RESEARCH PROBLEM?

A research 6) … is the situation that 7) … the researcher to feel apprehensive, confused and ill at ease. It is the demarcation of a problem area within a certain context 8) … the WHO or WHAT, the WHERE, the WHEN and the WHY of the problem situation.

There are many problem situations that may 9) … research. Three sources usually 10) … to problem identification. Own experience or the experience of others may be a 11) … of problem supply. A second source could be scientific 12) … You may read about certain findings and notice that a certain 13) … was not covered. This could lead to a research problem. Theories could be a third source. 14) … in theories could be researched.

Research can thus be 15) … at clarifying or substantiating an existing theory, at clarifying contradictory findings, at correcting a faulty methodology, at correcting the inadequate or unsuitable use of statistical techniques, at reconciling conflicting opinions, or at solving existing practical problems.

2 IDENTIFICATION OF THE PROBLEM

The prospective researcher should think on what caused the need to do the research (problem identification). The question that he/she should ask is: Are there questions about this problem to which answers have not been found up to the present?

Research originates from a need that arises. A clear distinction between the PROBLEM and the PURPOSE should be made. The problem is the aspect the researcher worries about, think about, wants to find a solution for. The purpose is to solve the problem, i.e. find answers to the question(s). If there is no clear problem formulation, the purpose and methods are meaningless.

Keep the following in mind:

– Outline the general context of the problem area.

– Highlight key theories, concepts and ideas current in this area.

– What appears to be some of the underlying assumptions of this area?

– Why are these issues identified important?

– What needs to be solved?

– Read round the area (subject) to get to know the background and to identify unanswered questions or controversies, and/or to identify the most significant issues for further exploration.

The research problem should be stated in such a way that it would lead to analytical thinking on the part of the researcher with the aim of possible concluding solutions to the stated problem. Research problems can be stated in the form of either questions or statements. The research problem should always be formulated grammatically correct and as completely as possible. You should bear in mind the wording (expressions) you use. Avoid meaningless words. There should be no doubt in the mind of the reader what your intentions are. Demarcating the research field into manageable parts by dividing the main problem into subproblems is of the utmost importance.

3 SUBPROBLEM(S)

Subproblems are problems related to the main problem identified. Subproblems flow from the main problem and make up the main problem. It is the means to reach the set goal in a manageable way and contribute to solving the problem.

4 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The statement of the problem involves the demarcation and formulation of the problem, i.e. the WHO/WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY. It usually includes the statement of the hypothesis.

1. a) models b) develops c) forms d) appears

2. a) starts b) initiates c) commences d) originates

3. a) answer b) solution c) explanation d) solute

4. a) statement b) announcement c) declaration d) assertion

5. a) justifies b) explains c) accounts d) proves

6. a) difficulty b) puzzle c)problem d) theme

7. a) gives rise b) brings about c) makes d) causes

8. a) involving b) confusing c) complicating d) connected

9. a) result from b) give rise to c) arise d) start

10. a) provide b) donate c) help d) contribute

11. a) origin b) stimulus c) source d) impetus

12. a) literature b) information c) facts d) references

13. a) phenomenon b) field c) realm d) sphere

14. a) losses b) failure c) shortcomings d) flaws

15. a) aimed b) pointed c) directed d) focused

Read the whole text carefully and fulfill the tasks given in Comprehension check.

Comprehension check

1. Choose a, b, or c to complete the sentences.

The problem statement

a) briefly explains the purpose of the research.

b) involves the formulation of the who and the what questions.

c) includes possible problem solutions.

A research problem

a) worries a scientist to some extent.

b) causes a lot of trouble.

c) makes a researcher feel ill at ease and confused.

Possible sources of problem supply could be

a) scientific literature, drawbacks in theories and personal experience.

b) contradictory findings and conflicting theories.

c) ideas and theories put forward by scientific advisers.

Usually investigations

a) have similar purposes. They are aimed at clarifying theories.

b) have the same aim: to solve existing practical problems.

c) have different purposes depending on the problem itself.

If one wants to identify a research problem he

a) has to read scientific literature to learn about its historical background.

b) first of all has to outline the general context of the problem area and highlight key theories in it.

c) has to determine what needs to be solved.

A research problem should be stated

a) in such a way that it would result in reasoning on the part of the researcher.

b) in such a way that it would lead to the solution of the stated problem.

c) as completely as possible including all subproblems.

Subproblems

a) are formulated irrespective of the main problem.

b) are included in the main problem statement.

c) result from the main problem.

2. Answer the following questions.

1. What is a research problem?

2. What can give rise to research?

3. What are the main 3 sources of problem supply?

4. What can any research be aimed at?

5. How can one identify a problem?

6. What is the difference between two concepts: the problem and the purpose?

7. What should one bear in mind while trying to identify a problem or to state a problem?

8. In what forms can problems be formulated?

9. What is a subproblem?

3. Prove or disprove the following sentences. Give arguments to support your point of view.

1. Any research represents a cycle as it begins with a problem and finishes with its solution.

2. The problem itself accounts for the aim of the research.

3. A research problem makes a scientist feel annoyed and unhappy.

4. The number of problem situations that may lead to research is limited.

5. One of the sources of problem identification could be scientific literature.

6. When one conducts research he aims to find contradictory facts.

7. The research problem itself and its purpose are not the same.

8. Research problems are usually stated in the form of questions.

9. Any research problem can be divided into subproblems.

10. The statement of the problem is the statement of the hypothesis.

4. Arrange the sentences given below in the logical order taking into account the contents of the text.

1. Research problems are usually stated in the form of questions and statements.

2. While conducting his investigation a researcher feels confused and ill at ease.

3. Purposes of research work may differ.

4. If one wants to identify his problem, he should first of all outline the general context of the problem area and highlight key theories and concepts current in this area.

5. Any research originates from a necessity that appears.

6. There are three sources of problem supply.

7. Any problem includes subproblems that help to reach a goal.

8. Any research begins with a problem and ends with its solution.

9. One should distinguish between the problem and the purpose.

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