The University of Ghana has, beginning from the 2010/2011 academic year, introduced the University of Ghana Required Courses, (UGRC). These are compulsory courses every student is required to do and PASS to be able to graduate.
The main aim of these courses is to equip graduates of the University of Ghana to be confident, rounded scholars, capable of holding their own with graduates from any part of the world.
LEVEL 100
Students will be expected to take two of any each semester. (meaning, take any two for one semester and do the remaining two for the next semester)
UGRC 110: Academic Writing I
This course will be taken by all students in level 100.
The main objective of Academic Writing 1 is to equip students with language skills that will enable you to read and write effectively. Students will be taken through fundamental issues in grammar and composition. Reading and writing skills relevant to university work will also be introduced and the most important thing: writing from sources as well as developing your referencing skills and avoiding plagiarism will be taught in detail.
UGRC 120: Numeracy Skills
This UGRC can be done by students in the Humanities except those offering Economics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics and Business Administration.
If you thought after WASSCE, no more mathematics, then we are sorry to burst your bubble. This course is designed for students to acquire basic numeracy skills needed for solving real life problems. It involves reviewing your basic algebraic skills and is basically core math, back to haunt you (unless you loved math then, good for you; this will be easy for you)
UGRC 141-146: Science and Technology in our Lives
Any of the sub-subjects here can be taken by any student in the Humanities
These courses deal with the application of science to everyday life. So under science and tech will be other sub courses within that you’d have to choose the one you’re most comfortable with.
- UGRC 141: Science and Technology in our Lives/Everyday Physics
The course presents some of the basic principles of physics that are useful for understanding and explaining everyday physical phenomena. Students who take this will learn about the laws of motion and how principles of mechanics are applied in everyday objects such as seat belts and airbags and more.
- UGRC 142: Animals as Friends of Humans
This is like the Agricultural studies you learnt in High school. It is a general introduction to animal species and groups commonly found in our environments. Students will be taught about understanding the life styles of animals,, their interactions with humans, roles and contributions to the environment, and how to manage and conserve them.
- UGRC 143: Science and Technology in our Lives/Earth Resources
Let’s pretend this is SHS geography. The earth is endowed with rich resources, many of which are indispensable to mankind. Many of these resources are covered by the earth and need to be uncovered for easy access and for our benefit. This course is aimed at providing students with the basic understanding of what resources are in general; with specific emphasis on earth resources.
- UGRC 144: Science and Technology in our Lives/Geohazards
The course introduces students to various geological hazards, with an emphasis on an understanding of the natural processes that operate on our planet Earth, both at the surface and deep within the interior. So basically you’re going to learn about floods, earthquakes etc.
- UGRC 145: Science and Technology in our lives/Food and Nutrition in Everyday life
This course is designed to offer students the opportunity to understand, know and apply the principles of the science of food and nutrition to promote health. The course covers nutrients in food, food types, food habits and effects, food security, water as a nutrient, food safety, breastfeeding etc.
- UGRC 146: Science and Technology in our lives/Chemistry and Life
Remember your SHS chemistry?? Yeah this one is simpler. This course is aimed at giving students a basic understanding of the application of chemistry to in our lives. The course will expose students to the importance of the atmosphere and the chemistry involved in how various pollutants arise as well as how the atmosphere can be protected. So you’d be studying global warming and greenhouse effect.
UGRC 150: Critical Thinking and Practical Reasoning
This will be done by all level 100 students
Those enrolled in this course will be provided the vocabulary and techniques to employ critical thought and practice within the academic arena and beyond.
UGRC 160: Introduction to Literature
This is for Students in the Humanities offering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics and Business Administration
This course will engage students in careful reading and analysis of a challenging selection of literary works from a range of genres including the novel, the short story, poetry and drama. The focus will be on intensive reading and discussion of the literature to inculcate in students the skill of interpretation.
UGRC 170: General Mathematics
This is for Students in the Humanities offering Economics NOT for students with Economics and Mathematics/Statistics subject combination
General Mathematics I (Non-Mathematics students in Economics) deals with the following topics: Indices and Logarithms; Equations and inequalities; Functions and graphs; Arrangements and selections; Binomial theorem; Limits, differentiation and integration
UGRC 131-136: Understanding Human Societies
This is for Students in the Basic and Applied Sciences
These courses are designed for students pursuing science-related programs at the undergraduate level. The aim of the courses is to introduce students to the broad array of issues that shape human societies. Students are expected to select only one out of the six modules provided: the economy and business; culture and development; governance in the information society; human behavior and the social environment; religion and societies; and language in society.
- UGRC 131: Understanding Human Societies/Culture and Development
This course looks at the approaches to understanding human society, both past and present, form the foundation for understanding cultural formations and the diverse resource usages.
- UGRC 132: Understanding Human Societies/Religion and Societies
This module aims at introducing students to the on-going debate on the role of religion in human societies. It focuses on religious perspectives on social issues and discusses the way religion impacts social and political structures such as leadership and the family.
- UGRC 133: Understanding Human Societies/Economy and Business
This module is designed to offer students the opportunity of understanding the environment within which business operates in Ghana. The module places emphasis on the extent to which geographical, political, socio-cultural, economic and international forces have shaped the growth and practice of business and management in Ghana over time
- UGRC 134: Understanding Human Societies/Language in Society
This module is aimed at giving students a basic understanding of what language is and how it works in every human society. The course will help students to appreciate how language is used as a tool for doing things in the world.
- UGRC 135: Understanding Human Societies/Human Behaviour and the Social Environment
This module is designed to introduce students to human behaviour and the social environment. It teaches students issues that concern them and the people around them.
- UGRC 136: Understanding Human Societies/Governance in the Information society
This exposes students to the concepts of good governance and the information society, and the relationship between information and the key elements of good governance such as the rule of law.
LEVEL 200
Students will be required to take one each semester.
UGRC 210: Academic Writing II
This will be done by all students
Academic Writing II is a follow-up to Academic Writing I and builds upon the skills acquired in the first year.
UGRC 220-239: Introduction to African Studies
This is also done by all students.
This course introduces students to the field of African Studies including Africa’s histories, peoples and cultures. It begins with a general introduction to the discipline, its history and values; continues with an introduction to Gender Studies in Africa; and thereafter students select from an extensive and diverse menu of ‘electives’.
Introduction to Gender
This is the general introduction that every student will take. The main objective of this two week introduction, is to help students appreciate the gendered nature of African societies, how this impacts development, and state as well as civil society responses to gender inequalities. This component explains key concepts in African gender studies and explains why and how we address gender issues in African studies.
After the two weeks, students will go ahead to do the courses they chose under African Studies.
Details of each African studies course haven’t been given because some are changed: either cancelled and are no longer part of the timetable or new ones can be introduced.
NB: Students must take UGRCs and pass (minimum D) them to be able to graduate.
