Problems of technical magistracy and their solutions

Abstract

The problems of the Russian technical master degree are considered on the example of the “pain points” of the Russian bridge-building education. The analysis is carried out in the school-university group, and the university examines the chain of undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate studies, preparation and defense of a thesis and writing books, textbooks for bachelors, undergraduates and graduate students. It is noted that the selection of «humanists» and «techies» at the school level by allowing the first not to pass the exam in physics leads to a decrease in potential candidates for admission to technical specialties of universities and the creation in society of a large group of young people who are not ready for further activities in technical areas . Also, a large number of humanitarian subjects are taught in technical specialties of higher education institutions and therefore “techies” are also ready to work in these areas, but not even a general technical subject is studied in humanitarian and economic specialties. A brief description and comparison of 12 master’s programs (including foreign) in bridge building is given. The problems of modern 4 year postgraduate studies are described, as well as the organization of defending a thesis with a small number of dissertation councils and limiting the number of suitable opponents. We also briefly reviewed the «pain points» concerning teachers of engineering universities, their workload, salary, and the ability to engage in scientific research. In conclusion, considered a number of ways to solve these problems.