Course code ValoP212

Credit points 3

Professional German I

Total Hours in Course81

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes32

Independent study hours49

Date of course confirmation16.01.2013

Responsible UnitLanguage Centre

Course developers

author lect.

Aija Pētersone

Mg. paed.

author lect.

Oksana Mališeva

Mg. philol.

Replaced courses

Valo1036 [GVAL1036] Professional German

Valo1049 [GVAL1049] Professional German I

ValoP075 [GVALP075] Professional German I

Course abstract

The course is aimed at the acquisition of knowledge and skills in a professional foreign language with the purpose of extending the students` professional qualification and improving the students` communication skills with foreign students and specialists (including work placement abroad, participation in guest lectures, work in joint venture companies, etc.). The study course envisages the mastering of language skills in various forms and levels of communication – reading, speaking, listening, and writing focusing on the terminology of machine design and manufacturing.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Students know terms from the field of:
- all-purpose tractor, its main systems and functions; ploughs, cultivators, harrows; sowing and planting machines; harvesting machines; farm equipment (Test No 1);
- machine design, computer aided design system; machine manufacturing, lean manufacturing, rapid prototyping; materials: ferrous and nonferrous metals, polymers, glass, wood, composite materials; mechanical properties of materials (Test No 2).
Students are able to apply professional terminology and skills: in writing an essay, summaries, business letters; orally in discussions, dialogues, role plays, giving a presentation.
The assessment according to the 10 point scale.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Introduction. The Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies. The Faculty of Engineering.
2. Invention of the automobile. History and innovations of automobile building. Classification of automobiles.
3. Main branches of agriculture. Farmstead. Research and training farm Vecauce.
4. Agricultural machinery and implements. Classification of tractors. Main parts of an all-purpose tractor.
5. Cultivation machinery and implements. Sowing and planting machinery.
6. Harvesting machinery. Combine harvester.
7. Milking machinery. Milking robots. Farm equipment.
8. Test 1. Types, classification, history, structure, innovations of machines.
9. Basic principles and types of machine design.
10. Machine manufacturing. The most up-to-date and popular types of machine manufacturing. Up-to-date manufacturing possibilities and advantages.
11. Materials used in machine manufacturing and their mechanical properties. Selection of appropriate materials.
12. Testing of manufacturing materials.
13. Impact of load on various materials. Stress, tension and the analysis of their curves.
14. Test 2. Basic principles of making presentations.
15. Presentation of independent work.
16. Presentation of independent work.

Requirements for awarding credit points

Assessment: Test (pass / fail).
It is made up of cumulative assessment.
Successfully written 2 tests, timely completed homework, completed individual work (reading of professional texts, presentation on a selected topic, and the glossary of terms). Tests and homework are with a positive evaluation. The number of the missed classes shall not exceed 20%.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

1. Individual work:
a) reading of the independently chosen professional texts (the amount: 20 000 characters);
b) prepared PowerPoint presentation and oral presentation (8-10 minutes) in front of the class;
c) a written summary;
d) submitted glossary of terms (30 translations of terms, 20 definitions).
2. Pair or group work presentation (5 -7 minutes) on a topic related to the study course.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The cumulative assessment (pass / fail) is composed of the grades in tests, home assignments, assessment during classes and a presentation of the individual work. The grade in tests is successful if at least 60% of the answers are correct.

Compulsory reading

1. Kuhlmann A. Auto und Verkehr bis 2000. Verlag Springer. 2011. 254 S. ISBN-10:3-642-82355-6.
2. Haken K.-L. Grundlagen der Kraftfahrzeugtechnik. 2. Aufl. Verlag: Hanser Fachbuchverlag. 2011. 316 S. ISBN-10:3-446-42604-3.
3. Proff H. Dynamisches Automobilmanagement. 2. Aufl. Verlag Gabler. 2008. 320 S. ISBN-10:3-8349-0643-3.
4. Schön Chr. ADAC Zeittafel Automobilgeschichte. 125 Jahre Auto. Verlag: Heel Verlag GmbH. 2011. 27 S. ISBN-10:3-86852-376-6.

Further reading

1. Riedl H. Das Lexikon der Kraftfahrzeugtechnik. Verlag: Motorbuch Verlag. 2010. 540 S. ISBN-10:3-613-02996-0.
2. Schauer M. Landwirtschaftliche Fahrzeuge beim Güllen und Mistfahren. Verlag Podszun GmbH. 2008. 109 S. ISBN-10:3-86133-475-5.
3. Stiens G. Gegen den Verfall lebensweltlicher Landschaften. Beiträge zur Sozialästhetik. Verlag: Projekt Verlag. 2009. 424 S. ISBN-10:3-89733-193-4.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Profi: Magazin für professionelle Agrartechnik. -1997- Münster-Hiltrup Landwirtschaftsverlag GmbH -1997- ISSN 0937-1583
2. Deutsche Agrartechnik: Landtechnische Zeitschrift für Wissenschaft und Praxis. Kammer der Technik, Fachverband Land- und Forsttechnik, and KDT. Berlin. ISSN: 0011-9784
3. TopaAgrar: Das Magazin für moderne Landwirtschaft. Muenster : Landwirtschaftsverlag, -1996- ISSN 0342-2399. Pieejams arī http://www.topagrar.com/

Notes

The course is included in the compulsory part of the professional Bachelor’s degree programme Machine Design and Manufacturing