5 Answer the questions:

5.1 Is engineering a science?

5.2 How can you translate the word “engineering”? What are the Russian equivalents for this term?

5.3 What do civil engineers deal with?

5.4 What are the main subdivisions in the field of civil engineering?

5.5 What do mechanical engineers deal with?

5.6 What knowledge is necessary for a mechanical engineer?

5.7 What are the four main branches of electrical engineering?

5.8 What are the major developments in the field of communication systems?

5.9 What are the major developments in the field of computer engineering?

5.10 What is aerospace engineering concerned with?

5.11 What do naval architects design/

5.12 What is marine engineering devoted to?

5.13 What is the task of chemical engineers?

5.14 What is nuclear engineering concerned with?

5.15 What does safety engineering have as its object?

Topic 8 Modern Engineering Trends Text

Among various recent trends in the engineering profession computerization is the most widespread. Computers are widely used for solving complex problems as well as for handling, storing and generating the enormous volume of data modern engineers must work with.

Engineers in industry work not only with machines but also with people, to determine, for example, how machines can be operated most efficiently by workers. This is called ergonomics. The aim of ergonomics is to make the working place more comfortable and the work itself easier. A small change in the location of the controls of a machine or of its position with relation to other machines or equipment, or a change in the muscular movements of the operator, often results in greatly increased production. Ergonomics looks for criteria for the efficient design of large, complicated control panels that monitor nuclear reactor operation.

Exercises:

1 Give the Russian equivalents to the following English word-combinations:

1.1 the most widespread recent trend in the engineering profession

1.2 to solve complex problems

1.3 to work with the enormous volume of data

1.4 handling, storing and generating

1.5 a modern engineer

1.6 to be operated efficiently

1.7 the aim of ergonomics

1.8 a comfortable working place

1.9 machines and equipment

1.10 the muscular movements of the operator

1.11 to result in greatly increased production

1.12 to look for criteria for the efficient design of large complicated control panels

1.13 to monitor nuclear reactor operation.

2 Translate the sentences into English:

2.1 Компьютеры широко используются во многих отраслях науки и техники для решения

сложных задач.

2.2 Инженеры в промышленности работают не только с машинами, но также и с людьми, чтобы

определить, как можно управлять машинами наиболее эффективно при помощи рабочих.

2.3 Цель эргономики – сделать рабочие места более комфортными и саму работу более лёгкой.

3 Answer the questions:

3.1 What are the recent trends in the engineering profession?

3.2 What are computers used for in engineering profession?

3.3 What is ergonomics?

3.4 What is the aim of ergonomics?

3.5 What criteria does ergonomics look for?

Topic 9

Communication

Text

Communication is the process of exchanging information. People exchange information using communication means. Communication has always some purpose. Mass communication, for example, sends messages for masses of people.

The history of communication means is a long and interesting one.

Communication through electric media. At the beginning of the19th century the electric revolution made great progress. By 1832 the telegraph had been invented. Wires crossed the continents and cables were put under the Atlantic Ocean. Some 40 years later (in 1876) the telephone was patented. Messages began to be transmitted over electrical currents carried by wires.

“Early radio”. At the beginning of the 20^th century it became possible to transmit messages without wires. Messages were sent by wireless telegraph that is now called “early radio”. But modern radio became possible only when a vacuum tube had been invented (1906). Soon after the invention of tubes, radio receivers began to be widely used in the world.

Television. Television was used experimentally as far as 1930. But its popular use began only some ten years later. And in about twenty years colour television became dominant over black-and-white.

Audio and video recordings are most popular means of communication today. Also popular are filming and photography.

High-technology revolution in electronics influenced the sphere of communication and greatly changed it. The new technology used for space exploration influenced modern communication both in offices and home. It became possible for business people to communicate with their colleagues in faraway places.

Computers and word processors serve this purpose and are being widely used in many offices all over the world.

The new technology has also influenced communication in everyday life. For example, it became possible for people to receive television programs through cables. Modern cable is a complex wire system that makes it possible to transmit a number of television signals at the same time.

People today also widely use videotape recorders to record television programs. One of the most interesting inventions of today is also the usage of satellites for video and audio communication. People can receive programs through using satellites.

Exercises: