I. Read the text. Be ready to discuss it.

Text A

My Speciality

A wide utilization of computer science means is an indispensable condition for the state-of-the-art of any country. The working arsenal of information is the computer systems, in particular the information control systems and technologies. Such systems and technologies are the unity of software and hardware. Thus, the curricula at the Computer Sciences Department are based on the experience of working out, manufacture, control and adjustment, and introduction of computerized systems components, in particular the computerized systems of information processing and control, computerized systems of designing, artificial intelligence systems and system software, automatic systems of text and graphic information processing, intellectual decision-making systems.

The academic program embraces the higher general education and the professional training. The students are required to take the following courses: humane, general and special mathematics, programming, computer simulation (modeling), and structural scheme-technical and architectural systems. Besides they are trained in marketing and management in computer business, computerized development of business plans, computerized accounting at small enterprises, etc.

Our graduates can work as junior scientific assistants at different enterprises, production and scientific production associations, scientific research and design organizations, state and bank establishments, information centers of different levels, the higher educational establishments, etc. At their places of business they make computer applications software, and are particularly strong in specialists markets such as artificial intelligence, computer-aided design, mathematical software, and geographical information system and data visualization. They make major advances in the field of 'virtual reality', a three-dimensional computer simulation technique with a host of industrial and other applications. Such technique is used to design buildings and a range of products, including cars, pharmaceuticals, and machine tools. The graduates of our university make their contribution to the development of the production sector 'Computers' which produces an extensive range of systems, central processors and peripheral equipment, from large computers for large-scale data-processing and scientific work to mini and microcomputers for control and automation systems and for home, educational and office use. Nowadays they are concentrated on developing new products for specialized market which includes hand-held, pocket-sized computers, increasingly used by sales forces, and notebook and pen computers. Our graduates are engaged in the computing services industry which comprises software houses, production of packaged software, consultancy, information technology 'outsourcing', processing services, and the provision of complete computers systems. They work at companies that provide information technology education and training independent maintenance, support, contingency planning and recruitment and contract staff.

The Department generates a well-educated and well-trained workforce which is considered essential for economic growth, particularly at a time of intense international competition and rapid technological advance. It takes measures to see that education and training are broadly based and students can acquire relevant knowledge and skills. The graduates realize that the progress in any work is a matter of quality, and not a mere number of new machines, apparatus and materials. Education-business cooperation at the Department is constantly being strengthened.