Application of virtual educational technologies to the improvement of research skills of undergraduate students

The article is devoted to the problem associated with the quality of research component in academic programmes of higher education. The authors present virtual technologies as one of the efficient mechanisms to enhance the quality of research performed by undergraduate students. Based on created virtual laboratories powered by the interactive environment "Stratum 2000" the authors analyse the possibility of diversifying thematic areas of research practicum and increasing the difficulty of fulfilled assignments.