Text A Read the texts and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

(1)

The word science originates from the Latin word «scientia», meaning knowledge. Science is simply a way of looking at the world. It consists of asking questions, proposing answers and testing them against the available evidence. A popular astronomer Carl Sagan wrote:«Science invites us to let the facts in, even when they don’t conform to our preconceptions. It counsels us to carry alternative hypotheses in our heads and see which best match the facts». Science is a human construct and human ability.

science — knowledge which can be made into a system укр. наука available — укр. наявний evidence — something, such as a fact, sign or object that gives proof or reasons to believe or agree with something укр. свідотство, факти to conform - to obey or be in accordance with established rules укр. підкорятися preconception — an opinion formed in advance, without actual knowledge укр. упереджене уявлення to counsel — to advise as suitable course of action укр. радити

 

Types of Science Products

FACTS	— are specific verifiable pieces of information obtained through observation and measurement
CONCEPTS	— are abstract ideas that are generalized from facts or specific relevant experience
PRINCIPLES	— are more complex ideas based on several related concepts
THEORIES	— consist of broadly related principles that provide an explanation for a phenomenon

 

The purpose of a theory is to provide the best explanation based on evidence. Theories are used to explain, relate, and predict.

1. What is the origin of the word «science»?

2. What is specific about science according to Carl Sagan?

3. What basic types of science products do you know?

 

(2)

 

Students of science major in various fields of science. They take part in R&D at their institutions. The faculty and staff at the universities and institutes will help the students as they fulfill their academic and professional goals. Research advisors — well- known scientists will help their students with research. Graduate students spend most of their time in independent study and original rsearch. Fоr example, graduate studies in the USA can be divided into two phases:

to major (in) — to study as the chief subject(s) when doing a university degree укр. спеціалізуватися field of science — a branch of knowledge or area of activity. Synonyms: sphere, area, branch, domain, realm укр. галузь, сфера R&D — research and development рус. научно-исследовательская робота faculty and staff - all of teachers and other profetional workers of a university or college укр. професорсько-викладацький склад goal — one s aim or purpose — укр. мета Compare: objective — an aim that must be worked towards over a long period укр. стратегічна мета research advisor – укр. науковий кервник well-known — укр. вiдомий Synonyms: famous, prominent, eminent, renowned, celebrated research — serious and detailed study of a subject, укр. дослiдженя Synonyms: study, investigation scientist — a person who works in science укр. науковець, вчений Compare: scholar — a person with great knowledge of, and skill in studying the subject

 

 

Chapter 1 9

Phase I leads to Master's degree and consists of lecture-type coursework. This degree is usually required in fields such as engineering, library science etc. The MBA, or Master of Business Administration usually takes two years. These degrees are considered stepping stones toward a PhD. Normally few, if any laboratory courses are offered. A thesis, calling for significant research and/or design effort may be required. Phase II leads to doctoral degree — PhD (doctorate). Students who are enrolled in a doctoral program are known as PhD candidates. They will spend some time in class, but the most important work is spent in first-hand research. It may take three years or more to earn a PhD Degree. This degree normally requires four to six years of study beyond the Bachelor's degree, culminating in lengthy, in-depth, original research of a specific topic, which may be both theoretical and applied, or purely theoretical. Usually, doctoral studies focus very heavily on developing advanced scientific skills. A PhD dissertation is considered a unique, original contribution to human knowledge. This paper must contain views, research or	degree — a title given by a university to a student who has completed a course of study укр. ступінь Bachelor's Degree (baccalaureate) — ступінь бакалавра (бакалаврат) Master's Degree — ступінь магістра PhD — ступінь доктора філософії to require — to demand by right with the expectation that it will be obeyed укр. вимагати;requirement — укр. вимога required — укр. обов'язковий Synonyms: — mandatory, obligatory required reading — обов'язкова литература. to earn — to get, to gain, to obtain — укр. отримати in-depth — a thorough and giving careful attention to detail укр. глибокий, детальний to focus (on) — to direct one's attention to something укр. зосереджувати увагу skill(s) — special ability to do something well, esp. as gained by learning and practice укр. навички
technique — method of doing something that needs skill укр. методика, метод procedure — a set of actions necessary for doing something укр.. методика approach, way — a method of doing something or dealing with the problem укр. підхід, метод. method — a planned way of doing something укр. метод methodology — the set of methods used for study of a particular subject укр. методологія
issue — a subject to be talked about, argued about, укр. питання, проблема relevant — directly connected with the subject Synonyms: pertaining to (pertinent), dealing with, regarding, concerning, relating to, touching upon, having bearing on, bearing relation to укр. релевантний, той, що має відношення, стосується to meet the requirements — укр. відповідати вимогам board — an official body or group that has responsibility for a particular organization or activity укр. рада in many cases — often укр. у багатьох випадках, часто-густо devoted — showing great fondness, caring a great deal. Compare: dedicated — very interested in or working very hard for an idea, purpose; committed укр. відданий to be involved — to take part, to be engaged in, to participate укр. бути залученим, брати участь aspect — a particular side of many-sided idea, plan etc. укр. аспект, бік Synonym: facet укр. грань

designs that have not been previously published.

The best and the most suitable methods, techniques, approaches and procedures should be used.

Several research publications on issues relevant to the investigation should be prepared. Most universities awarding the PhD Degree also require doctoral candidates to have a reading knowledge of two foreign languages, to pass a qualifying examination that officially admits candidates to the PhD program, and to pass an oral examination on the same topic as the dissertation.

If the dissertation meets all the requirements it will be accepted and approved by a special board of academics after oral defense.

Most scientists spend many years studying and working in laboratories. Scientists can work individually or in a team. In many cases, scientists are devoted to their work and may find little time to do other things. Usually scientists are involved in studying various aspects of their fields,

10 Chapter

and work on one or two major projects at one time.

A good example of a dedicated scientist and researcher is U.S. neurosurgeon Benjamin Carson. Speaking to young people around the country, Carson always concludes with the same message:

«Think big!» He explains the meaning of each letter:

 

Т — is for talent. Recognize your God-given talent. H — is for hope. Anticipate good things and watch for them. I — stands for insight. Learn from people who have been where you want to go. N — is for nice. Be nice to people — all people. К — represents knowledge. Knowledge is the Key to your dreams, hopes and aspirations. В — is for books. We develop our minds by reading. I — equals in-depth learning, where acquired knowledge becomes part of you. G — stands for God. Never drop God out of your life. «If you can learn to think big, nothing on earth will keep you from being successful in whatever you choose to do», says Carson. And eminent American astronomer Vera Rubin has given the following piece of advice to young scientists: «Don't give up. Remember that science is ever so vast; learn one thing very well. Doing so... gives you great confidence, allows you to share knowledge with colleagues. It helps if you know

to anticipate — to expect, to guess or imagine in advance укр. очiкувати, передбачати, передчувати insight — the power of using one's mind to see or understand the true nature of a situation укр. проникливiсть aspiration — a strong desire to do something or have something, esp. something great or important. Synonym: longing укр. прагнення, поривання *to give up = to give in укр. здаватися vast — very large and wide, great in amount укр. широкий, величезний to allow — to permit, to enable укр. дозволяти to share — to have use, pay or take part in (something) with others or among the group укр. роздiляти, дiлитися curiosity — the desire to know or learn укр. допитливість curious — eager to know or learn. Synonym: inquisitive укр. допитливий

what you really want to do. Work hard. Learn to give good talks. Be imaginative. If you are interested in science you must have a fundamental curiosity».

 

1. What is the subject under discussion?

 

2. What are primary responsibilities of graduate students?

 

3. What is specific about each phase of graduate studies?

 

4. Why is it important to «think big»?

 

5. Why is Vera Rubin's message important specifically for young scientists?

 

NOTE
*as for... When it conies to...	що стосується
As far as... is/are concerned...
As for When it comes to	me — Що стосується мене (щодо мене)
As far as science is concerned,... — що стосується науки,... to be about It is about the new method. Це стосується нового метода. to have to do (with) — стосуватися, мати відношення The issue has little to do with science— Це питания не стосується (не має відношення до) науки.

 

Chapter 1 11

Exercise 1. Give English equivalents for:

 

спеціалізуватися у галузі науки; науковий керівник; стратегічні цілі, досягати мети; відомий науковець (вчений); самостійне дослідження; детальне вивчення; теоретичні та прикладні аспекти; навички наукової роботи; Вчена Рада, унікальний внесок; питання, що стосуються дослідження; оригинальна методика; брати участь у науково-дослідній роботі; одночасно працювати над кількома проектами; бути відданим науці; не здаватися; ділитися знаннями з колегами, бути надзвичайно допитливим.