Czech Technical University - Topics
Contents:
I.Czech Technical University (CTU)
II. Faculty fo Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering (FNSPE)
III.PhD Courses at FNSPE
IV. Vocabulary that every PhD student should be familiar with
I.Czech TechnicalUniversity (CTU)
The history of the CzechTechnicalUniversity goes back to the beginning of the 18th century. It was then and long afterwards referred to as the Polytechnical Institute, being the first engineering institute in Central Europe. It was established to train engineers according to the chief requirements of those days, i.e. military specialists for building fortifications. However, later it concentrated more and more on the requirements of civil engineering, i.e. on building bridges and roads.
During the 19th century the Prague engineering school was completely transformed: compulsory subjects such as Mathematics, Physics, and Mechanics were introduced into degree courses in civil engineering, and lectures were held on subjects for studies which later developed into Mechanical Engineering. In spite of rigorous entrance examinations, in 1848 the enrolment in the Polytechnical Institute was over 1,300.
The industrial development of the 19th century resulted in changes in the overall structural pattern of engineering training, and, therefore, in 1863 the Institute was divided into several branches which would now be referred to as “faculties“.
Later the Institute split into the German and the Czech part, each with its own language of instruction. In 1899, a second engineering school was established in the Czech Lands (i.e. in Bohemia and Moravia), the present University of Technology in Brno.
Around this time three new faculties were added to those already existing, namely the Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering, the Faculty of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, and the Faculty of Chemistry.
Since 1920, the school has been known as České vysoké učení technické, translated into English as “The Czech Technical University”. Prague also had a GermanTechnicalUniversity, the former German part of the Polytechnical Institute.
During World War II all Czech universities in Moravia and Bohemia were closed.
After the war, some of the faculties split or were transformed into independent institutions of higher education offering specialised degree courses. This was the case of the former Faculty of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, which split into the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering,and the Faculty of Chemistry, which bacame the Institue of Chemical Technology, and others.
In the latter half of the 19th century and the first decade of the 21st century, several new faculties were established, among them our Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering (1955), then a new addition to the existing Faculty of Civil Engineering (the oldest faculty), the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering.Later,more new faculties were added: the independent Faculty of Architecture, the Faculty of Transportation Sciences, the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, and, quite recently, the Facuty of Information Technology. So, at present the University comprises 8 faculties.
Notes
-The word “engineering” denotes a profession applying scientific princliples to the design, construction and maintenance of cars, engines, and machines (Mechanical Engineering), building bridges and roads (Civil Engineering), electrical machines and communication systems (Electrical Engineering), chemical plant and machinery (Chemical Engineering, aircraft (Aeronautical Engineering). In modern times its use has been extended to other fields, always expressing scientific and creative (theoretically-based) approach to the respective field (e.g. agricultural engineering, electronics engineering,physical engineering, mathematical engineering, genetic engineering, etc.)
The Czech equivalent then is “inženýrství” (e.g. “matematické inženýrství”); however, especially in the case of the original historical disciplines (see above) it is also appropriate to translate the adjective “engineering” as “technický”, i.e.” inženýrský” : He has an engineering education = má technické vzdělání.
-. It is often confusing how to express the Czech word “technika” in English:
technika1. technology (stroje a vybavení)
We have all technology we need for this purpose.
Wrong: We have all the technics/techniques for this purpose.
2. technology(studium/využití vědeckých poznatků v průmyslové
praxi)
The past few years have brought about great advances in
science and technology.
Wrong: ... in science and technics.
3.technique (metoda)
There are varoius techniques how to dispose of nuclear waste.
Wrong: ....various technics....
4.engineering school, university of technology, historical name- Czech Technical University(vysoká škola)
-Influenced by American English, the modern word “technology” – “technologie” in Czech - is gradually replacing the Czech word “technika” .”Technologie” in Czech still denotes the procedure, the way of processing or treatment of materials and products, e.g. welding, hardening, grinding.
The meaning of “technology“(according to Wikipedia) is very wide: it is the use, knowledge of tools, materials, techniques, crafts, systems, methods of organization, in order to solve a problem, improve a solution toa problem, achieve a goal or perform a specific function. Also, collection of such tools, machinery, modifications, arrangements, and procedures.
technický 1. technical (mající/poskytující poznatky zaměřené na praxi, zvl.
průmyslovou); odborný)
That secondary school offers technical training.
Secondary technical school (průmyslovka)
Our staff is available to give you technical support.
“Milling machine” is a technical term.(odborný termín)
2.technological/technical(týkající se využití technických
poznatků vědeckého rázu)
Modern scientific and technological/technical knowledge is
essential for the development of the country.
3. engineering(education) – see above
EXERCISES
I.Choose the best suited verb to fill in the gaps. Sometimes more that one verb is can be chosen.
foundestablishcall closeadapttransformadapt
go backintroduceinclude holdsplit result in exist
knowrefer .. asrename train educatesatisfycomprise
cope with concentrate follow bring about occur consist of
incorporate require divide addcome have
1. The history of CTU ...... to the early 18th century.
2. It was then ...... as the Polytechnical institute.
3 .It was ...... to train engineers.
4. They were ...... to build military structures.
5. Later, however, these military engineers ...... on civil structures.
6. In the 19th century the programme of the engineering school was ...... to ...... the needs of the society.
7.Compulsory Mathematics and Physics courses were ...... in degree courses in civil engineering.
8.Also, some lectures .were ...... on issues close to mechanical engineering.
9. Industrial development in the Czech Lands also ...... further structural changes : the school was ...... into specialized branches.
10.As the Czechs were claiming their rights, the school ...... into two parts: Czech and German, with two languages of instruction.
11. Later, new faculties were ...... to the existing Civil Engineering.
12. After World War I , the engineering school was ...... ; and, so, side by side .. two technical universities ……………, the Czech Technical University and the German Technical University.
13. During World War II all Czech universities were ......
14. Major structural changes ...... after the war and even later.
15. At present CTU ...... 8 independent faculties.
II.Translate into English.
1.Studuje na pražské technice.
......
2. Vystudoval průmyslovku zaměřenou na elektrotechniku.
......
3. MIT – Massachusettský technologický institut je - prestižní americká vysoká škola.
......
4. Technický a vědecký pokrok se nedá zastavit.
...... 5. Vojenské inženýrsrví bylo první inženýrskou vědou.
......
6. Starý název Fakulty stavební ČVUT v češtině byl Fakulta civilního inženýrství.
......
7. Výcvik paměti využívá řadu zcela neobvyklých metod.
......
8. Tato společnost neinvestuj dost do moderních technologií.
......
9. Má technické vzdělání.
......
10. Všechny obory mají své specifické odborné termíny.
......
III. Translate into Czech.
1.The new technique is more reliable than the one it has replaced.
......
2. Many small businesses are now involved with new technologies.
......
3. Farmers can employ the latest techniques in farm management.
......
4. We need to exploit existing technologies in turbine production more fully.
......
5. In modern society science and technology are inseparable.
......
6. On Sunday Metro service will be restricted because of engineering works.
......
7. The Olympic Stadium in London is a remarkable piece of engineering.
......
8.. This is purely a technical problem.
......
9. This lecture is informative and yet not too technical for me.
......
10. Making use of alternative fuel us technically impossible.
......
IV.Trace the history of the Czech Technical Universitystep by step.Read the text again and then use the hints to formulate sentences in writing.
early 18th century from military engineering to civil engineering:.
- the first engineering school
- its purpose and goal
- civil tasks
19th century-first halfperiod of transformations and restructuring:
- introduction of compulsory subjects-civil engineering
- compulsory courses-mechanical engineering
- industrial development and
-second half- its consequences
- a split, new faculties
20th century- new name
- two engineering schools
- Nazi occupation
after World War II- new, independent faculties/universities
21st centurypresent structure of CTU
V. Using the notes from Ex.IV, sum up the history of CTU.
II.Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering ( FNSPE )
The Faculty was founded in 1955. Since then its main responsibility has been to offer both undergraduate (i.e. Bachelor´s Degree – Bc) and postgraduate (i.e.Master´s Degree= Ing ) and doctoral degree (PhD) courses. In addition, the Faculty is also responsible for fundamental and applied research in fields related to nuclear physics, nuclear chemistry, nuclear power engineering, materials science, solid state engineering, mathematics, software engineering, and physical electronics. It maintains close relations with various research institutions both at home and abroad.Compared with most institutions of higher education it is unique in some respects, e.g. in that most students have a grammar school background andall undergraduates take full-time courses, i.e. no part-time training is offered.
While the head of the CzechTechnicalUniversity is the Rector, assisted by several Vice-Rectors, the academic administrative officer of each faculty is the Dean, who chooses his Vice-Deans . The Dean is responsible for the teaching and research (i.e. academic) strategy of the Faculty and its implementation as a whole. The Vice-Deans’ responsibilties are the teaching and research programmes, students’ matters, and international relations. The Dean is also assisted by the Scientific Council and the elected Academic Senate.
Non-academic matters are handled by the Dean’s Office. It consists of several administrative departments headed by their respective officers. The most important one for students taking the Bachelor´s or Master´s Degree Course is the Department for Student Affairs (Students´Department), for students on a PhD course the Department for Science and Research.
The current structure of FNSPE includes 10 academic Departments, namely: Mathematics, Physics, Languages, Nuclear Chemistry, Dosimetry and Application of Ionizing Radiation, Materials, Solid State Engineering, Physical Electronics, Nuclear Reactors, and Software Engineering in Economics, located either in Břehová Street (the main premises, housing also the Dean´s Office and the Central Faculty Library), or Trojanova Street or in Troja.
The enrolment figure varies, butevery academic year about600 undergraduates and well over 50 PhD (doctoral) students are usuallyadmitted. There is a wide variety of three-year Bachelor´s Degree programmes and two/three-year Master´s Degree programmes..
The Bachelor´s Degree programmes are divided into a general course taken for 4 semesters ( in the first and second years) , usually comprising a core section of main courses with a number of options. Some programmes, e.g. for Nuclear Chemistry, specialize from the very start.
Beginning with the 5th semester (in the third academic year), students specialize in their chosen branch of study and cooperatemore closely with the respective Department. The task of carrying out a review of literature (search) on a given topic and writing a Bachelor´s Degree Project, which they have to present and defend as part of the Final Examination, is included in the curriculum. Having completed this, the students graduate from the University, i.e. they are awarded the Bachelor´s Degree and become graduates.
To earn a higher degree, students can take a more advanced , i.emore specialized, Master´s Degree course. The fields they can choose areMathematical Engineering, Physical Engineering, Information Technology in Engineering Sciences, Nuclear Engineering, Radiological Physics, and Nuclear Chemical Engineering. Allthese programmes are based on research , are flexible, and adjust easily to the new developments in science and technology. To earn the degree, students have to submit a Master´s Degree Thesis and pass the final oral (viva voce) State Examination.
The programme of instruction is very orthodox and traditional: students attend lectures, seminars, and practicals (=laboratory sessions in e.g physics). The measure of the student´s performance is the marking system expressed by letters A – F. The teaching and research staff are ready to offer consultations and discuss issues and problems out of class.
The Faculty also offers PhD (i.e. Doctor of Philosophy) programmes for PhD students.
Notes
- At university the word “tutor” is usually preferred to “teacher”.
- class 1.a period of time during which a group of students is taught
(vyučovací hodina, výuka)
What time is your English class (AE)/lesson (BE)? (Kdy máš
angličtinu?)
There are no English classes/lessons this week.(Tento týden
není angličtina.
2.a group of people/things/ with similar features (třída)
e.g. classes of plants, social classes
3.a group of students learning together (třída, kroužek)
Their class has/have a new teacher.
4.a group of students who finish a course of study in a particular year(absolventský ročník)(esp.AE)
Mary was in the class of 2012.
5.a series of lessons/classes /a course(esp.BE) in a particular subject (kurz, běh přednášek)
He is taking a class/course in Academic English.
-to classify 1. to put into a group according to similar features (see above)
(třídit, roztřídit)
The specimens were classified into three groups.
2. tomake secret for security reasons (utajovat)
The results of weapon tests were classified “top secret”.
To express the Czech word “klasifikovat” – udělovat známku, známkovat - use “to mark” or to “grade” (esp. in AE)
Wrong: His test was classified with mark B.(dostal známku B/ byl klasifikován B/ dostal béčko)
Correct:He got/obtained a Mark/Grade B (AE) for the test.
I was marking/grading your home assignments.
EXERCISES
I.Give Czech equivalents to the following expressions.For some terms there are no Czech equivalents and you will have to explain themrather than translate them.Put them down.
1.to offer bachelor´s/master´s courses ......
2.undergraduate ......
3.undergraduate programme ......
4.postgraduate courses ......
5.fundamental/basic research ......
6.academic strategy......
7.academic department ......
8.the main premises housing the Dean´s Office ......
9.degree course ......
10.to have a grammar school background ......
11.full-time courses ......
12.part-time courses ......
13.nuclear power engineering ......
14.materials science ......
15.solid state engineering ......
16.academic matters ......
17.non-academic matters ......
18.Bachelor´ s Degree programme ......
19.Master´s Degree ......
20.to earn a higher degree......
21.PhD programme/course/study ......
22.software engineering in economics ......
23.advanced course ......
24.graduation ceremony ......
25.the faculty´s responsibility is ......
26.to handle non-academic matters ......
27.enrolment figure ......
28.to submit the Bachelor´s Project ......
29.to defend the Master´s Thesis ......
30.core section of main subjects ......
31.new developments in science and technology ......
32.field of study ......
33.branch of study ......
34.viva voce (examination) ......
35.to be awarded the degree of Ing......
36.PhD student ......
37.curriculum ......
38.search ......
39.the Dean´s office ......
40 the measure of student´s performance ......
41.to admit a student ......
II. Translate into English.
- Zítra není angličtina a matematika.
......
2. Výzkum lze klasifikovat do dvo kategorií, a to na základní a aplikovaný výzkum.
......
3. Chodí na němčinu.
......
4. V naší třídě je hodně dívek.
......
5. Kdy máš další hodinu angličtiny?
......
6. Na gymnáziu jsme byli ve stejné třídě/chodili do stejné třídy.
......
7. Byl jsem v ročníku 2001.(tj. absolvoval jsem vysokou školu)
......
8. Systematické třídění rostlin zavedl jeden švédský botanik. Znáš jeho jméno?
......
9. Klasifikační systém na některých vysokých školách nyní používá písmena A až F.
......
10.Z diplomové práce dostal dvojku.
......
11. Doktorandské zkoušky se známkují, ale nejsou za ně kredity.
......
12.Vojenské informace mají tři stupně utajení.
......
13. Angličtina nám začíná od začátku října.
......
14. Je docházka na matematické semináře povinná?
......
15. Tábořiště s touto klasifikací poskytují jen základní vybavení.
......
III.Use the following hints to speak about the Faculty.
1.1955 – the main responsibility – fields of study and research – uniqueness
2. academic matters: the Dean´s and Vice-Deans´ responsibilities
3. non-academic matters: administrative departments – their responsibilities
4. the structure if FNSPE – 10 academic departments
5. the degree courses offered – undergraduate -core section – specialization - project;
Master´s – flexibility – fields of study
doctoral
6. ways of instruction
IV.If you are not an FNSPE graduate, give a similar account of the faculty you graduated from and the courses you took as part of your master course).
1.its history
2. its academic structure
3. thedegree courses and fields of study offered at your university
4. the courses you took for your higher (i.e. Master´s Degree)
V.Now you know enough about the Czech Technical University and the Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering. Therefore go to sections on Brunel University (under UNIVERSITIES) and theUniversity of Birmingham ( under FACULTIES AND DEPARTMENTS) – see . Read all the facts, add them to what you alreday know, and do the exercises :
Universities:
EXERCISE I.
EXERCÍSE II.
EXERCISE III.
EXERCISE IV.
EXERCISE V
EXERCISE VI
EXERCISE VII.
EXERCISE VIII.
Faculties and Departments :
EXERCISE I.
EXERCISE II.
EXERCISE III.
EXERCISE IV.
EXERCISE V.
EXERCISE VI.
EXERCISE VII.
III.PhD Courses at FNSPE
The Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering also offers doctoral courses.
The current doctoral enrolment every academic year is over 50 master graduates , including foreign students, of whom most are engaged in full-time courses. For admission to the PhD programme, the applicant must hold a Master´s Degree (which is equivalent to the title of Ing. awarded by engineering schools or universities offering engineering studies e.g. the CzechTechnical University, the Universty of West Bohemia, and the University of Technology in Brno). Also, the entering student must have passed at a satisfactory level an entrance examination to judge whether he/she has satisfied the academic and professional requirements,i.e. whether he/she is eligible for admission.. Often this examination can be part of or immediately follow the Final State Examination consisting of an oral part (viva voce) and defence of the submitted Master´s Degree thesis . The standards by which to admit the applicant to the PhD course are the departmental responsibility; however, academic attainments and often also special abilities and interests are decisive everywhere..
These advanced degree programmes are designed to prepare students to assume responsible positions in the chosen field. The courses offer not only profound specialist knowledge but also acquaint the students with the methodology of research and develop their ability to study and think independentlyand to be creative . The results of the research done by the student should significantly contribute to the knowledge and state of the art of the field.