Associate of Science
First Level
The program of the first two years of study, excluding the Preparatory Course Program, consists of required humanities, socio-economic, natural sciences, and some general professional subjects. A first-level diploma testifies that the graduate has raised his/her general level of education and culture to a degree greater than a person with a secondary education, and that he/she is trained for self-achievement in society. After two years of study, a student may leave the university with a first level diploma, change the direction of his/her training, or continue his/her studies on the second level along the previously chosen path.
Bachelor of Science
Second Level
The professional educational program of the second level (the next two years of study) consists of general professional courses and training, elective humanities, socio-economic, natural sciences, and electives from special courses. A bachelor’s degree permits a graduate to find a work as a specialist of the middle rank. Ifhe/she qualifies, he/ she can continue his/her studies on the next level and become a holder of the engineer’s diploma or of a master’s degree.
Engineer/Specialist Diploma
Unlike Bachelor’s Degrees, Specialist Degrees are more focused on practical work in industry according to the selected discipline. These programmes are offered to individuals who have education equivalent to Russian general secondary or vocational secondary education. The course lasts for a minimum of 5 years. Based on the examination results and thesis defence, a Specialist Degree certificate specifying the qualification (e.g., “Astronomer,” “Teacher,” “Information Security Specialist,” etc.) may be issued. Graduates of a Specialist Degree may work in industry or further their studies on a Master’s or other postgraduate course.
Master of Science
Third Level
The professional educational programs for the engineer’s diploma ensure the training of fully qualified engineers. The programs include special disciplines and courses in modern technology and technological equipment oriented toward engineering creativity and invention, through carrying out the interdisciplinary projects and practice in industry. Upon successful completion of the full course (5 years of study in total), the graduate is awarded an engineer’s diploma in the respective major.
Programs differ by level and trajectory and obviously encompass different training and specialist qualifications. For example, the trajectory “4+1” corresponds to an engineer’s/specialist’s diploma conferred after one year of study beyond the four-year bachelor’s program, and the trajectory “2+3” results in an engineer’s/specialist’s diploma for a graduate who skipped the bachelor’s program and went directly to the five-year engineer’s program.
The professional educational program for the master’s degree includes special disciplines and courses about new achievements in science and subjects oriented towards scientific creativity, pedagogical activity, and practical research work. Upon successful completion of the full course, a graduate is awarded a master’s degree in the respective major.
Note: The holders of an engineer’s/specialist’s diploma have the opportunity to continue their studies for one more year and be awarded a M.S./M.A. degree in their major.
Doctoral Studies (Ph.D.)
The training of highly qualified specialists for teaching and research work is carried out within the Aspirantura (Ph.D.) programs. These programs last three to four years and end in the public defense of a thesis. The university offers many postgraduate programs for a variety of majors. Many of them are available in Russian and in English.
