Bachelor Medicine And Bachelor of Surgery Surgery Degree Programme
General Regulations
1.1 The University runs a modular course structure. Under this structure, the University’s academic programme has been organised into a semester system, and instruction takes the form of courses evaluated in terms of credits. Units of courses are examinable at the end of every semester and, if passed, a student shall earn credit(s) for the Units. The courses are coded and arranged in progressive order of difficulty, or in levels of academic progression.
1.2 Each faculty shall provide detailed information about the structure of course leading to the award of Bachelors’ degree.
1.3 It is the responsibility of each student admitted to the University of Ghana, to be familiar with the specific requirements of the degree as well as the rules, regulations and policies of the University.
1.4 Each student is responsible for ensuring that the courses in which registration is effected satisfy the programme requirements of the Bachelor’s degree sought; advice and/or counseling for all who need assistance is freely available.
1.5 It is also understood that every student, by the act of registering, agrees to abide by all rules, regulations and policies of the University of Ghana and of the Faculties or Departments in which that student is registered.
1.6 Each student is expected to be familiar with the General Information outlined in this Handbook as well as the information pertaining to the Medical School. Students shall therefore be held liable for any lapses. When in doubt, students may consult their Heads of Department in writing with a copy to the Executive Secretary asking that advice be given in writing.
1.7 Exemption from any of these General Regulations may be granted only by the express permission of the Academic Board on the recommendation of the appropriate Faculty Board.
1.8 The University reserves the right to change rules, regulations and policies, as well as programme and course requirements given in this Handbook without prior notice.
2.0 Admission to the Medical School
2.1.1 Further to the General Regulations regarding admission into the University of Ghana, admission to the Medical School for the BSc (Med. Sci.) and MB ChB Programmes shall follow an interview of eligible candidates with the following backgrounds:
i. Students who have completed Level 100 in Biological Science or Biomathematical Sciences (Chemistry option) in the Faculty of Science in the University of Ghana and have obtained a minimum CGPA of 2.50.
ii. Candidates who satisfy the general requirements for admission under the “O” and “A” Level of the G.C.E. or its equivalent in Science (Physics, Chemistry and Biology/Mathematics) with a maximum aggregate of seven (7).
2.2.1 Candidates with the Bachelor’s degree in Basic Medical, Biological or Physical Sciences, as well as those who may have completed part of the MB ChB (or its equivalent) in a recognized university, may be considered for admission on the recommendation of a special committee appointed by the Dean. The Special Committee shall vet the transcript of the candidate as well as course content of the degree, with a view to determining the suitability of the degree or previous training and make appropriate recommendations to the Dean.
3.0 Bachelor of Science (Medical Sciences) – (BSc (Med. Sci.)) PROGRAMME
3.1 Academic Year/ Structure
The Academic Session shall comprise two semesters.
3.2 Semesters 1 & 2 (in the Faculty of Science) shall be used to upgrade the level of science of the SSSCE candidates to levels currently prevailing at the GCE Advanced Level in the Sciences. During this first year of the programme a semester shall be of 16 weeks duration, which will be structured as follows:
13 weeks of Teaching
1 week of Revision
2 weeks of Examinations.
3.3 Semesters 3, 4, 5 & 6 (Basic Sciences and Para-Clinical Sciences)
A semester shall be of 18 weeks duration and be structured as follows:
15 weeks of Teaching
2 weeks of Revision
1 week of Examinations.
4.0 Courses/Subjects For Levels 200 & 300
4.1 Level 200 Courses, Semesters 3 and 4
Students shall study the following subjects: Medical Sociology, History of Western Medicine, Psychology, Anatomy, Medical Biochemistry, and Physiology.
4.2 The course in African Studies is compulsory. A candidate shall be deemed to have pass-ed a course in African Studies in order to be eligible for the award of a BSc (Med. Sci.) degree.
4.3 Level 300 Courses: Semesters 5 & 6
Semester 5 & 6 shall be devoted to courses in the Para-Clinical Sciences (Chemical Pathology, Haematology, Microbiology, Pathology, Pharmacology).
Students, after Semester 6, may opt for a year’s Intercalated BSc (Hons) Degree programme in the Basic Sciences and Para-Clinical Sciences subjects. Such students shall have attained at least a credit in the relevant subject.
The final decision on admission to a particular Intercalated BSc Degree will be made by the relevant department.
5.0 Definition of Course Unit
A course unit shall be defined as follows:
i. One-hour lecture = 1 Unit
ii. One-hour tutorial = 1 Unit
iii. One, two/three-hour practical session = 1 Unit
6.0 Definition of Course Credit
A credit shall be defined as follows:
i. One-hour lecture or tutorial/week/semester
ii. One two/three-hour practical/week/semester.
7.0 Grading System for Courses & Subjects
7.1 Student performance in a subject/course shall be graded as follows:
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Grade Numerical Interpretation Grade
Marks % Point
—————————————————————————————————————-
A 70 – 100 Excellent 4.00
A- 65 – 69 Very Good 3.75
B+ 60 – 64 Good 3.50
B 55 – 59 Above Average 3.00
B- 50 – 54 Pass 2.50
C+ 45 – 49* Pass 2.00
C 40 – 44* Pass 1.50
D 30 – 39 Fail 1.00
F 0 – 29 Fail 0
X – Fail 0
Z – Disqualification –
I – Incomplete –
Y – Continuing –
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* May be taken as pass in the grading of courses only. Otherwise they constitute failure grades in subjects.
7.2 Grade Point (GP): Each grade is assigned an equivalent grade point as indicated above. The number of (grade) points earned by a student, for each course completed, is computed as the product of the number of credits for the course and the grade point equivalent of the grade obtained in that course.
7.3 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA): The student’s cumulative grade point average is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points obtained, up to any specified time, by the total number of credits of all courses for which the student has registered up to that time.
7.4 Final Grade Point Average (FGPA): The FGPA is the CGPA for all courses under consideration calculated up to the end of a student’s academic programme.
7.5 Clinical subjects are not awarded grade points.
8.0 Definition of Grades
8.1 Pass Grades: Grades A to B- constitute Pass grades in a subject. Grades A to C constitute Pass grades in a course.
8.2 Failure Grades: Grades C+, C, D, F, X, Z constitute Failure grades in a subject. Grades D, F, X, Z constitute Failure grades in a course.
8.3 Continuing: A grade Y, denoting Continuing shall be awarded at the end of a semester to any student who is taking a course, which continues into the next semester.
8.4 Non-Completion of Course:
i. A grade I, denoting Incomplete, shall be awarded to a student who is unable to complete a course for reasons adjudged by the Board of Examiners as satisfactory. Such a student shall be expected to complete the course the very next time the course is available.
ii. A grade X shall be awarded to a student who is unable to complete a course for reasons adjudged by the Board of Examiners as unsatisfactory.
8.5 Disqualification:
i. A grade Z denotes Disqualification from an examination as a result of an examination malpractice or offence, and shall be awarded whenever it is established that a candidate had attempted to gain an unfair advantage in an examination, be it in a Principal subject or an Ancillary or any other paper.
ii. A candidate awarded a grade Z may be debarred from taking a University Examination for a stated period, or indefinitely, or may be expelled from the University.
iii. A grade Z may be awarded only by the Board of Examiners.
8.6 Honours:
For Basic Sciences and Para-Clinical Sciences, Honours shall be awarded as follows:
Distinction – 80-100%
Credit – 70-79%
9.0 Student in Good Standing
A student in good standing shall be one whose Grade Point Average (GPA) is at least 2.50 (Grade B-) in each subject.
10.0 Probation and Withdrawal
10.1 A student who fails to obtain a grade point average of 2.50 (50%) in a subject shall be eligible for the Supplementary Examinations.
10.2 A student who fails to obtain the requisite pass in a subject after the Supplementary Examinations shall be asked by the Executive Secretary to repeat the year and the course.
10.3 A student who fails to obtain the requisite pass in the subject after repeating the year shall be asked by the Executive Secretary to withdraw from the Medical School.
10.4 A student can proceed to the next stage of the programme if and only if he/she has passed all the courses of the preceding level.
11.0 Duration of Programme
11.1 The minimum period for the Basic Sciences and the Para-Clinical Sciences shall be 4 semesters and the maximum period shall be 8 semesters.
11.2 A candidate who is unable to complete his/her programme within the maximum period allowed shall lose all credits accumulated. Such a candidate shall not be allowed to re-apply for admission into the BSc (Med. Sci.) degree programme.
12.0. Interruption of Study Programme
12.1 A student may break his/her study programme but may not break for more than 4 continuous semesters, so however that the maximum period allowable for the completion of the programme is not exceeded. Such a student shall be allowed to continue the programme from where he/she had left off.
12.2.1 A student who wishes to interrupt his/her course of study shall apply in advance to the Dean of the Medical School, stating reasons why he/she wants to interrupt his/her study programme, and permission duly granted before he/she leaves the University. The decision of the Dean shall be communicated to the applicant by the Executive Secretary before he/she leaves the University.
12.3 A student who breaks his/her studies for more than 4 continuous semesters shall be deemed to the to have lost any accumulated credits. Such a student may be allowed to re-apply for admission Medical School.
12.4 Where the ground for interruption of studies is medical, the Head of the Medical School Clinic shall be required to advise the Dean on the propriety and length of period of interruption. The Dean shall cause the Head of the Medical School Clinic to investigate any medical report reaching his office from any health delivery facility outside the Medical School Clinic and advise accordingly.
13.0 Scheme of Examination for BSc (Med. Sci.) Degree
13.1 A final (end-of-semester) examination shall normally be required as a part of every course. An examination schedule showing time and place of examination for each course shall be published each semester.
13.2 The marks obtained in the end-of-semester examination shall contribute 70% of the grade for the course while continuous assessment shall contribute the remaining 30% (except for practicals or other courses which may be assessed entirely by continuous assessment).
13.3 Time allotted to examination papers shall be as follows:
1-Credit Course – 1 hour
2-Credit Course – 2 hours
3-or more Credit Course – 2 to 3 hours.
14.0 Eligibility for Examinations
14.1 A student shall attend all such lectures, tutorials, seminars and practicals and undertake all other assignments as approved by the University.
14.2 Each Department shall, with the approval of the Academic Board, determine the requirements for the subjects they offer.
14.3 Further to 14.1 above, a student shall attend lectures, tutorials, practicals and other activities prescribed for the courses/subjects for which he/she has registered, and to execute all assignments given.
14.4 A student who does not fulfill the requirements for any course/subject shall not be allowed to take the examination for that course/subject.
14.5 In any case, a student who is absent for a cumulative period of 21 days from all lectures, tutorials, ward rounds, clerkships and other activities prescribed for any subject in any semester shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the course/subject. Such a student shall not be permitted to sit for the semester examination.
15.0 Registration for Examinations
15.1 Registration for a Medical School Examination shall require endorsement of the Registration Form by the Head of Department to the effect that the candidate has pursued satisfactorily the approved course(s) of study being offered over the prescribed period, and has attended at least 85% of lectures, tutorials, practicals and other activities prescribed for the course(s)/subjects. A candidate’s registration shall not be valid unless it is so endorsed.
15.2 Endorsement as in (15.1) above shall be withheld if a candidate is not deemed to have followed satisfactorily the approved course of study (as in Section 14).
15.3 In any event of the withholding of an endorsement, the Head of Department shall request the confirmation by the Board of the Medical School.
16.0 Supplementary Examinations
16.1 BSc (Med. Sci.) Subjects
16.1.1 The Examiners’ Board shall decide whether a student who fails in any course shall be allowed to re-write the examination in the failed course as a Supplementary Examination (to be held in the Long Vacation). If he/she passes the Supplementary Examination he/she shall be awarded a grade not higher than B- or a Grade Point of 2.50 (i.e. 50 – 54 marks).
16.1.2 Supplementary Examinations shall not include continuous assessment marks.
16.1.3 Supplementary Examinations shall be held six weeks after the main examination.
16.1.4 A student shall be allowed to take not more than 6 courses in all subject areas at any one time as the Supplementary Examinations.
16.1.5 A student who at any time would be required to re-write Supplementary Examinations in more than 6 courses in all the subject areas shall repeat the year.
17.0 Deferment of Examination
17.1 On Grounds of Ill-Health: A student who has satisfied all the requirements as specified in Section 14, but is unable to take the main (end of semester) examination on grounds of ill health, shall, on application to the Executive Secretary, and on provision of a Medical Certificate issued or endorsed by the Head of the Medical School Clinic be allowed to take supplementary examination as his/her main examination. He/she shall be credited with the grade obtained in the supplementary examination.
17.2 Subsequent application for deferment, on grounds of ill-health, shall be subject to a Medical Certificate issued by a properly constituted Medical Board.
17.3 On Grounds other than Ill-Health: In cases of deferment on grounds other than ill-health, the Dean of the Medical School shall invite the applicant for interview. It shall be the student’s responsibility to satisfy the Medical School beyond reasonable doubt why he/she wishes to defer the examinations.
17.4 In all cases of deferment of examinations, the applicant(s) shall obtain written responses from the Executive Secretary before leaving the Medical School.
18.0 Examiner’s Board
18.1 There shall be Examiners’ Board for the main and supplementary examinations in respect of:
(i) Basic Sciences
(ii) Para-Clinical Sciences
18.2 For (i), the Examiners’ Board for Basic Sciences shall comprise the following:
Dean – Chairman
Vice Dean
Heads of Departments of Anatomy, Medical Biochemistry, Physiology
Internal Examiners for the various courses
Executive Secretary
Senior Assistant Registrar (AA) – Secretary
18.3 The Examiners’ Board for Para-Clinical Sciences shall comprise the following:
Dean – Chairman
Vice Dean
Heads of Departments of Chemical Pathology, Haematology, Microbiology, Pathology and Pharmacology
Internal Examiners for the various courses
Executive Secretary
Senior Assistant Registrar (AA) – Secretary
18.4 Examiners’ Board(s) shall receive, consider and determine the results of the respective examinations.
18.5 Each Board shall be required to make appropriate recommendations on any candidate based on his/her performance and also on any aspect of the examination as it deems fit.
19.0 Declaration of Results
19.1 Results of semester examinations, taken at the end of each semester shall normally be published by the Executive Secretary on the School Notice Board before the commencement of the next semester.
19.2 A results slip indicating the student’s performance in the examination shall be made available to the student.
20.0 Eligibility for the BSc (Med. Sci.) Degree
20.1 The BSc (Med. Sci.) degree shall be awarded to a candidate who has been properly admitted to the University, has followed the approved courses of study over the prescribed period and has satisfied the conditions as stated in Regulations 20.2 and 20.3 below.
20.2 University Requirements
i. evidence of regular enrolment in the degree programme
ii. discharge of all obligations owed to the University
iii. a pass in all University required courses
iv. satisfactory performance in the appropriate University Examinations.
20.3 Faculty/Departmental Requirements
Satisfactory discharge of such requirements as may be prescribed for the degree.
21.0 Requirements for Graduation
21.1 A candidate shall be deemed to have:
i) satisfied all General University and Faculty requirements;
ii) obtained at least 50% in each subject featured in the Level 200, Level 300 and MBChB Final Part I and II examinations;
21.2 In addition to the above, all candidates are required to attend the Swearing-in-Ceremony and take the Hippocratic Oath.
22.0 Confirmation of Award of Degree
22.1 A list of candidates who are deemed eligible as in Regulations 20 and 21 shall be laid before the Academic Board of the University for approval as soon as practicable.
22.2 No award shall be confirmed unless the Academic Board of the University is satisfied that
the candidate has satisfied all the conditions for the award of a degree.
23.0 Cancellation of Award
23.1 Notwithstanding previous confirmation of an award of a degree as in Regulation 22 the Academic Board of the University may at any time cancel an award even with retrospective effect if it becomes known that:
(i) a candidate has entered the University with false qualifications
(ii) a candidate has impersonated someone else
(iii) a candidate has been guilty of examination malpractice for which a grade Z would have been awarded
(iv) there are other reasons that would have led to the withholding of confirmation of the award in the first place.
23.2.A In any such event, the decision of the Academic Board of the University shall be published on the University Notice Boards and the candidate notified. Such cancellation and the reasons for it shall be entered on the candidate’s transcript.
24.0 Transcript of Academic Record
At the end of a student’s programme, the University shall, on the payment of an appropriate fee, issue to the particular student a complete transcript of his/her academic record. This transcript shall be marked Student’s Copy and shall record all courses attempted and all results obtained.
25.0 Classification of Degree
The BSc (Med. Sci.) and MB ChB degree shall not be classified. The Intercalated BSc (Hons) degree shall be classified in accordance with general University regulations.