V. 2, N 4, 1996

The experience and results of the MEPI-FIAN Physics High School (PHS) over the 25 years of its existence lead us to a positive conclusion, and confirm that the organization of the PHS in 1971 was useful and timely. More than 700 young, talented specialists in engineering and physics have been prepared, the majority of which are successfully working and realizing the scientific knowledge and skills that they obtained at the PHS.

A SPURT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE RUSSIAN SCHOOL

V. G. Kirillov-Ugryumov

Moscow Engineering Physics Institute (Technical University)

The discontinuity in upper-level technical education at the end of the 1940's was not based on the pursuit of innovation. It was caused by the necessity of preparing engineers and physicists for the newly-born atomic industry. These specialists needed to be prepared for self-education based on a fundamental university education, develop skills in creative work, and easily master mixed specialties. Now, a half-century after the introduction of the new system of preparing engineers, we can estimate its effectiveness.

AN ANALYSIS OF UNIVERSITY AND TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS AS A BASIS

FOR ADMISSION TO THE MEPI-FIAN PHYSICS HIGH SCHOOL AFTER THE FIFTH SEMESTER

Yu.A. Bykovskii, V.V. Shestakov, and I.V. Soroka

Moscow Engineering Physics Institute (Technical University)

One feature of the Physics High School is that selected students from various physics departments in universities and technical universities come to study after the first five semesters of their university education. Taking this into consideration, we conduct a comparative analysis of the so-called first stage of education in terms of the disciplines studied and the number of hours spent on fundamental subjects. A plan of study for university physical specialties has been adopted, which has been affirmed by the committee on public education.

SPECIALIZED PREPARATION AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF RESEARCH CREATIVITY

Yu.A. Bykovskii, V.V. Shestakov, and I.V. Soroka

Moscow Engineering Physics Institute (Technical University)

Modern conditions demand individual preparation of "custom-made" specialists satisfying the requirements of high-quality facilities, organizations, and institutions in the newest directions for research and scientific technology. One option for optimal preparation is educating the most capable and successful students according to individualized programs.

THE "PHYSICAL OPTICS" COURSE IN THE MEPI SPECIAL PHYSICS DEPARTMENT

V.A. Gribkov

Moscow Engineering Physics Institute (Technical University)

P.N. Lebedev Physics Institute RAS

In the development of the educational program in the Special Physics Department of the MEPI, special attention was paid right from the start that all courses taught to the students of the Physics High School be as close to modern science as possible. The realization of this program is illustrated, using the "Physical Optics" course developed in the Special Physics Department as an example.

ORGANIZATION OF THE INDEPENDENT WORK OF STUDENTS IN THE MEPI SPECIAL

PHYSICS DEPARTMENT

A.F. Goryunov

Moscow Engineering Physics Institute (Technical University)

One of the main tasks of education at the early stages is introducing newly arrived students to the requirement levels established at the MEPI. For example, the year-long mathematical physics course considered in the article is taught at a rather high level. The goal of the course is to teach students how to master methods for solving physics problems, and how to critically evaluate the effectiveness of various methods in specific situations.

THE THREE COMPONENTS OF THE MEPI PHYSICS HIGH SCHOOL

I.N. Nikolaev

Moscow Engineering Physics Institute (Technical University)

The range of levels of knowledge for students admitted to the MEPI Special Physics Department is very large. Each year, the specific contingent of students depends on the geography of the universities and institutes represented in the current set of admissions. In connection with this, short introductory courses in physics and mathematics are given in the Special Physics Department. The role of seminars is also important. In addition, the educational program of the department, students are introduced to scientific research work at an early stage.

GENERAL PHYSICS ON THE THRESHOLD OF THE 21-ST CENTURY

N.N. Vzorov

Moscow Engineering Physics Institute (Technical University)

One of the requirements for long-term success in the sciences is to maintain a broad view of and be informed about what is currently being done on the extensive frontiers of science. In practice, however, this is not encouraged by the organization of the educational process in universities. On the threshold of the 21-st century, the main task of physics education from high school courses, to general university physics courses, to specialized courses in theoretical physics, is to maintain the level of development of science itself. General physics courses must take on the largest functional burden as the foundation of all modern physics knowledge.

THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH WORK OF STUDENTS IN THE MEPI

SPECIAL PHYSICS DEPARTMENT

A.P. Shotov

Moscow Engineering Physics Institute (Technical University)

An extremely important stage in the education of students in the Special Physics Department is scientific research work in laboratories at FIAN or MEPI. This work begins in the eighth semester, first as educational research work (1-2 days per week), then as pre-diploma and diploma research. The author shares his experience with students' educational research work.

THE WORK OF GRADUATES OF THE MEPI SPECIAL PHYSICS DEPARTMENT IN THE "BAIKAL"

INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION

I.A. Sokal'skii

Institute of Nuclear Research, RAS, Moscow, Russia

The development of some areas of elementary particle physics, astrophysics, and cosmology requires detector complexes with a maximum volume of working material and maximum surface area, located at a large depth for protection from penetrating background emission. In Russia, work on such detectors began at the beginning of the 1980's at Lake Baikal. Many graduates of the MEPI Special Physics Department have actively taken part in work on the Baikal project at various times.

OPTICS FOR X-RAY BEAMS

N.S. Artyukov (Spec. Phys. Dept. graduate, 1988)

P.N. Lebedev Physics Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

The main goal of the research in the X-ray group of the Lebedev Physics Institute, which includes three graduates of the Special Physics Department, is the development of optics principles based on multiple-layer reflecting coatings for use with soft X-rays. The theory and technology of reflecting coatings for use with soft X-ray beams has made it possible not only to build world-class mirrors (and often even better), but also to develop more complex multiple-mirror systems with high imaging characteristics.

THE CONTINUATION FOLLOWS, OR WE SHOULD CONTINUE!

V.S. Kazakevich, S.Zh. Klyukov, and S.P. Kotova

Samarskii Filial of the Lebedev Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences

There is no doubt that the largest density of graduates (3600 people per square km) of the MEPI Special Physics Department of various generations in one organization is at the Samarskii Filial of FIAN. In the sixteen years of its existence, the filial of FIAN in Samara has become an authoritative scientific center. The main activities of the filial include both fundamental research in the physics of lasers and the interaction of radiation with matter and the preparation of scientists and engineers.

THE FOUNDING ROLE OF THE SPECIAL PHYSICS DEPARTMENT OF THE MOSCOW

ENGINEERING PHYSICS INSTITUTE IN THE FAR EAST

Yu.N. Kul'chin (Spec. Phys. Dept. graduate, 1976)

Far East State Technical University, Vladivostok, Russia

Graduates of the Special Physics Department of the Moscow Engineering Physics Institute currently in Vladivostok have founded two scientific schools. One, concerned with monitoring physical fields using coherent optical electronics, is based at the Far East State Technical University, and the other, concerned with monitoring the ocean using LIDAR systems, is based at the Pacific Oceanographic Institute. Both of these schools are rather well known in both Russia and in other countries. More than ten PhDs have been trained in association with the research carried out in these schools.

THE SPECIAL PHYSICS DEPARTMENT: A GOOD IDEA

A.M. Gulyan (Dr. of Phys. and Math. Sci., Spec. Phys. Dept. graduate, 1979)

Physics Research Institute, Armenian Academy of Sciences, Aptarak, Armenia

US Naval Research Laboratory, Washington DC, USA

Why has the Special Physics Department been able to win authority, even among those who react to the very idea with jealousy?

COMPARING THE SOVIET AND AMERICAN SYSTEMS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE

NATURAL SCIENCES

A.N. Artyukhovich

Special Physics Department University of California, Berkely

Based on his personal experience, the author makes a comparison of the higher educational systems of the USA and the former Soviet Union.

PHYSICS WITH THE "PREFIX" MED...

Kh.Kh. Erganokov and A.V. Kulikovskii

"Cryotech"

General Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences

The article is dedicated to the activity of graduates of the MEPI Special Physics Department related to the creation of new products for medicine, ecology, agriculture, industry, etc.. One example is the work of the "Cryotech" Firm, in which key roles are played by the authors, who graduated from the Special Physics Department in 1982 and 1988.

ADAPTABLE PHYSICS LABORATORY WORK AS A BASIS FOR OVERALL EVALUATION AND

CORRECTION OF KNOWLEDGE

V.V. Svetozarov and Yu.V. Svetozarov

Moscow Engineering Physics Institute (Technical University)

"Vladis" Scientific--Technical Center, Moscow

Physics laboratory work in the Vladis standards is a powerful tool for testing, evaluation, and correction of students' knowledge using many criteria. The methodical completeness of the laboratory exercises for the small amount of time accessible to the general "experiment bank" expands possibilities for physics education, and makes it possible to provide a system of intensive experimental study of physics and other disciplines using a "learning by doing" approach. One of the important applications of the laboratory work is effective and quality preparation for both fundamental disciplines as a whole and for individual fields, especially in cases when DISCOVERY AND ELIMINATION OF PROBLEMS is required.

FROM THE PRESENTATIONS AT THE JUBILEE EVENING DEDICATED TO THE 25-TH

ANNIVERSARY OF THE SPECIAL PHYSICS DEPARTMENT (MARCH 1996)

AFTER THE BALL ...

(a word or two about the Special Physics Department jubilee evening)

A.V. Kulikovskii (Spec. Phys. Dept. graduate 1988)

General Physics Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

TEN YEARS LATER ...

FROM "THINKING ALOUD" BY THE 1988 GRADUATES OF THE SPECIAL PHYSICS

DEPARTMENT

CONFESSIONS OF A SPECIAL PHYSICS DEPARTMENT GRADUATE

A.S. Mishchenko (Spec. Phys. Dept. graduate, 1987)

Federal Scientific Center "Kurchatov Institute"

VOW OF THE SPECIAL PHYSICS DEPARTMENT GRADUATE

INFORMATIONAL LETTER ABOUT THE RULES FOR ADMISSION TO THE SPECIAL PHYSICS

DEPARTMENT

THE ORGANIZATION OF PHYSICS INSTRUCTION FOR CORRESPONDENCE COURSES

AT TRANSPORTATION UNIVERSITIES

E.K. Silina

Russian State Open Technical Railway University (RSTORU)

A.S. Drobot, V.A. Nikitenko, and S.M. Kokin

Moscow State Railway University (MIIT)

Some issues in the organization of instruction for physics correspondence courses for university-level students and high school students preparing to enter university are considered, using two major Russian transportation universities as examples.

EXPERIENCE FROM CONDUCTING REHEARSAL PHYSICS EXAMS AT THE MOSCOW AUTOMOBILE AND ROAD INSTITUTE

M. Ya. Yushina and I. L. Skvortsova

Moscow Automobile and Road Institute (Technical University)

The authors relate their many years' experience conducting rehearsal physics exams at the Moscow Automobile and Road Institute. The methods for composing the problems for the exams are oriented toward showing the level of knowledge and logical thinking ability. The principles for problem selection are described, and examples of original experimental tasks of various degrees of difficulty are presented.