Click on the question to view the answer.

What if I can’t finish the course in my six-month contract?

If you require more than six months to complete the course, you can purchase up to three extensions of two months each. You must apply for a course extension at least one month before the end of your contract. A form for this can be found at myAU.

Do I have to know both American and Canadian content?

No. You can ignore American (US) statistics unless you are specifically instructed otherwise. The course and its exams focus on Canadian content.

If I communicate with my tutor by email, what is expected?

When you contact your tutor via email, please make your communications clear. Put your name and course number in the subject line—some tutors teach in more than one course. A vague subject line (e.g., “hi” or “help,” etc.) may lead to your message being quarantined by AU’s anti-SPAM program, meaning that your tutor may not receive your message. This is especially true if you use a hotmail account or send your emails from a public access terminal, like those in a library. If you are submitting an assignment, add the assignment number. For example,

M. Smith - HLST200, Assignment 1.

Make sure to include your first and last name and correct student ID number in any email and any attachment you send to your tutor.

You should also complete and attach an electronic Tutor-marked Exercise form to your electronically submitted assignment.

How long does it take for my tutor to respond to my calls/emails?

Emails and phone calls are usually returned within two business days. If your tutor is on holiday for two weeks or more, you will be assigned to another tutor while s/he is away. If your tutor is away for less than two weeks, leave a message and the tutor will contact you when s/he returns.

I’m not able to call my tutor during his/her tutoring hours. Do I have any other options?

Yes. Sometimes tutoring hours and student schedules are incompatible. If this is true for you, your options include

  • email.
  • leaving a detailed message on the tutor’s voice mail. The tutor can respond with a detailed message on your voice mail. Include your first and last name, course number, your phone number, and detailed questions.
  • leaving a message on the tutor’s voice mail (or in the tutor’s email inbox), in which you give options of when you are available. The tutor may be able and/or willing to accommodate you outside of regular tutor hours.

Can I send my assignment electronically?

Yes, if you are sending a text-only document. Sometimes, depending on the nature of the assignment and its requirements, you may need to send it by post mail. Please review the following options for assignment submission:

  • Email: You can email assignments to your tutor. Sending assignments as email attachments allows tutors to give you feedback quicker than through regular mail. Include your name, course number, and assignment number/description in the subject line of your email, and ensure that both the email and the attachment contain your student ID number. If the assignment requires an article, attach the article in a Word document, as an Internet link, as a scan, or as a pdf file. If these options are not possible, please use post mail for the entire assignment.
  • Post mail: If you send your assignment via post mail, do not send it in a folder; a staple is sufficient.
  • Courier/Express post: This is seldom necessary, and is expensive. If you do choose this delivery method, please mark it no signature required. Otherwise, the delivery person won’t leave it at the designated address if your tutor is not available.

What does the exam cover, and what kinds of questions can I expect?

Each exam has 48 multiple-choice questions, 18 true/false and explain questions, and 6 short-answer questions of which you need to answer 5. Each short answer question is from a different unit in the course. Exam questions will be based on the objectives found at the beginning of each Study Guide unit. Sample short-answer questions:

  • List the various barrier methods of contraceptives, and explain the key points of each.
  • Discuss the pros and cons of tobacco use.
  • A diet high in red meat is bad for your health. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Support your answer with facts from the course.

You are allowed 2 hours and 30 minutes for each exam. The midterm covers Study Guide units 1–6; the final exam covers units 7–12. You will NOT be tested on the information from the first half of the course on the final exam.

How do I arrange to write an exam?

Information on ordering exams is found in your Student Manual and at myAU. You can order exams online. Please ensure that you allow adequate time for processing your request (15 business days in Canada; 21 business days overseas). Your exams must be written before the end of your course contract.

If I fail an exam, can I rewrite it?

If you fail an exam, you can apply to re-write it within three months of the original write date. After requesting the exam, you have another 30 days to write the exam. Only one supplemental exam is permitted per examination. There is a fee for supplemental exams.

How can I find out my grades for assignments and exams?

You can access your grades for both exams and assignments through myAU.

What referencing style do I need to use in my assignment(s)?

For HLST 200, you may use the referencing style of your choice. Common styles used in sciences courses are American Psychological Association (APA), Modern Language Association (MLA), and Council of Biology Editors (CBE or CSE). You may also use the Chicago Manual of Style.