The usage of the terms air and gas among the other denominations signifying «aeriform fluids» in the Russian original and translated chemical literature of the XVIII – early XIX centu- ries is analized.
The article deals with proper names and their derivates in the Russian chemical terminology where they are used to denote chemical elements, substances and compounds, physical and chemical constants, quantities and units, chemical processes and instruments.
The problems of organization of independent work of non-philology students studying the course "Russian language and culture of speech" (content - form - control) are considered. The content of independent work is determined by the task of increasing the creative potential of students; the form is designed to increase the academic activity of students and is guided by their professional interests; control involves evaluation and analysis of the results of the teacher's and student's activity.
