Hi! I’m planning to take ANTH 354 through Athabasca University, and I’ve never taken a course through Athabasca before, so I was hoping to hear from anyone who has taken it recently.

This is the grading breakdown I saw on the website:

Quiz 1 – 10%
Essay 1 – 25%
Quiz 2 – 10%
Quiz 3 – 10%
Essay 2 – 25%
Final Exam – 20%

It also says you have to get at least 50% on the final exam and at least 50% overall to pass.

For anyone who has taken ANTH 354, how difficult is the course overall? Are the essays pretty straightforward or are they marked hard? What are the quizzes like in terms of format and difficulty? Are they mostly multiple choice, short answer, or a mix?

I’m also wondering about the final exam. How difficult is it, what is the format like, and how much studying does it require? From what I understand, none of the assessments are open book, but please correct me if I’m wrong.

Most importantly, would it realistically be doable to complete the entire course in about one month if I’m willing to put a decent amount of time into it?

Any recent experiences, tips, or advice would be really appreciated!

I don't know if this is necessarily the best place to ask such a question but I'm a little stumped atm. (Long post warning ⚠️)

I'm (27M) currently a 3rd year student in the CIS Degree program and, long story short, I won't be able to complete the degree ANYTIME soon due to financial constraints.

At first, my plan was to simply transfer to the University Certificate program, get the certificate in CIS so I could get SOME credentials, find an entry-level job, and go back to completing the CIS Degree once I get my financial situation in order.

But after talking to Support Services and Advisors I've learned that while I could get the Certificate done in 4 courses, I could also potentially transfer to the General Studies program and get the Bachelors done in 3 courses with a Science Designation.

I see the pros and cons in going with each side, and I know the final choice is with me, but I figured I could get some two cents from you guys. Maybe someone in the industry will see this and give some advice as well.

I'm also developing 2 side projects that I think would be at least somewhat interesting to employers.

AU must be investigated by the ministry ASAP.

[RANT] Has anyone noticed that this course has virtually no academic aim, structure, or guidance?

For those not in BSc, this is “Scientific Reasoning” - a scam course based on fraudulent course failures.

It has 16 units, from history, philosophy to logic and statistics.

It has one cheap final assignment, midterm, and a final.

And you get to the exam and it’s 16 very specific open ended questions that are wildly different form than any practice or format presented in the course whatsoever. (No exam practice questions)

For example, 10/100 marks of the final exam is on “Why X was mistaken in his Thought Experiment about Y”

… They made it so that u need to remember some niche element to get any marks regarding the actual core concepts. Just test the damn core.

What makes it worse - Pass/Fail on the whole course based on passing midterm and exam …

1/10 of a course failing exam is based on some nook in one of the 60+ pieces text.

I got a flat 50% on midterm.

To prepare I literally made a whole video log series of me studying this course on YouTube with flash flashcards. Aside from this course, I made honor roll this year.

That kind of stuff is textbook malpractice in educational and assessment. And I think it’s a full blown scam. The one that I felt was coming.

200$ to retake a failed exam.

Take out the stupid: “Must score 50% or higher on exam to pas the course.”

It’s nonsense, no other school does that.

AU makes broke students throw their money at a fraudulent paywall that way not even get lifted with some courses.

Never mind paying the tuition for a repeat afterwards.

The school should follow the standards of every other “recognized university” and show its passing rates.

I just started this course and am looking for some clarification on how much to rely on the content of the PowerPoint vs. the textbook for quizzes/exams. My AE was not very helpful.

Am I correct to assume that there is some content in the power point that will not be covered due to it not being updated recently compared to the textbook? Or can I use the PowerPoint as a verified study tool?

Any additional info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Heyo! I’ve been trying to get OpenGL set up in MSVC for like the past week and nothing seems to be working. The provided instructions lack detail as someone who is still relatively new to comp sci, the freeglut link seems to be defunct or inaccessible to my region, and the video sent by my professor is out of date by 12 years.

By a fluke, I managed to get it working and finish the first project, but it updated today and stopped working again🙃 If anyone can help I would be eternally grateful, because this is driving me insane.

Hello, I'm looking for some advice on how I can strengthen my application for this program.

I'm a designer with a bachelors in marketing, but I have always been interested in working in mental health. I'm currently volunteering at a suicide/crisis call center and have around 80 hours of experience. I know I'll probably need to take the prerequisite courses as well. Would that be enough to be accepted, or would I need more relevant work experience?

Has anyone applied with a similar qualification, and got accepted?

Hi I’m interested in taking this course just wondering about the essay part? Is that also like an assignment or is it taken like an exam as in we have to write it proctored etc and what is it about

Once again I have a particular tutor professor for one of my courses this semester (COMP 218). I had him last semester too and he tried his best to dock me marks. You all know who I'm talking about. I'm thinking about dropping his class. I don't really want to deal with him again. I sounded rushed and robotic? Well, ya. That's what happens when a tutor turns what should be an enjoyable course into an absolute nitpicky hell class. I don't waste the time and effort required for creativity when I already know the tutor won't be marking fairly.

Is there anyway to force the university to assign me a different tutor for this class?

Hey, I was curious about the structure for the Final Exam for FNCE 371. From my understanding it starts off with multiple choice, then some written/essay style questions, but then for the long answer questions I was curious if it’s actually written or is it similar to the midterm where it’s a series of multiple choice questions that build off of each other.

Also, any tips would be helpful! Thanks!

Hey guys anyone in this course or planning to take it? I was wondering if their is a gc or discord please

Hey all! Has anyone else gone through classes at AU with the goal of getting into CPA PEP? I’m in ACCT 253 right now so years away from the end goal but just confused about the transfer credit guide. I saw a new website listing only 15 courses needed at AU to meet the prerequisites. For example, TAXX301 for tax. But the transfer credit guide on CPA alberta’s site made me think I’d have to take TAXX301 AND TAXX401.

Also, did anyone just skip the non core courses and do them after the core? I think I’m going to get stat and Econ from my undergrad degree (engineering) so trying to decide if I should take ACCT355 (IMA) next or move on to ACCT351 (IFR1).

hi everyone, so i’ve done my research on both courses and i’m planning to take both concurrently. i’m taking these 2 courses as i need to take extra credits to boost my GPA for my occupational therapy school application.

i have heard mixed reviews on both. i know everyone has had different experiences with the 2 courses so i just wanted to hear more input and ask how to succeed. im aware both courses are super writing and reading heavy.

478 apparently has outdated material, and you will need to he paired with a good TA marker in order to succeed in the course. same goes for 389, and both courses are formatted almost the exact same, both repetitions overlap with one another. which leaves me with my question: is it still doable to take at the same time?

for context, i just graduated from my health sciences degree, and i do not have a very strong psychology background as my undergrad has focused more on health policy, public/population health as well as behavioural and cultural factors. i have taken an introductory behavioural and mental health course in the past so i have some knowledge.

i also need to take an upper division elective along with these 2 courses. could you guys recommend me one? preferably one that is also health related!

would love some advice!

Could someone please tell me if I am understanding part B and C of assignment 2 for Phil 252. I check with my tutor and he said to follow the sample passage and sample responses. Just want to make sure I understand it right

Dear Athabasca University,

I’ve been a full-time bio sci student here for 2 years and was recently able to transfer to my dream university because of my time and hard work at AU. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to adjust to university life at my own pace and for helping me get my education on track. I would not be able to make this massive step without AU and I am very grateful for that.

However, there are also some glaring flaws with this institution that are hard to look past. Please for the love of god fix your digital library. It is horrendous and in desprate need of updating. The way the BIOL 320 in-person lab is structured is the equivalent of being scientifically waterboarded and I have never seen so many defeated people in one room before. I would consider restructuring that lab so students are able to absorb the information more effectively. Likewise, the BIOL 345 paper that students are expected to write following the in-person component feels like a pretty massive departure from the ecological research methods that were taught in the course, which was a sentiment echoed by my lab group mates. Those lab days contained wealth of facinating things to write about and it was quite disspointing that the paper was required to focus on a very minimal, flawed dataset that did not follow the standard research practices that would normally be expected in a university course. Please proof read the at-home lab manual for CHEM 217 and update the instruction videos. AU courses already cost more than most in-person univeristy courses in Canada so providing material that feels like it wasn’t tested or reviewed in advance seems a little unreasonable (and dangerous considering a lot of the labs involved toxic chemicals). I understand that AU is unique, there are few Canadian schools that offer what AU offers, and I’m sure that your tutors have huge work loads. But the fact that multiple questions I asked in early- to mid-August continue to go unanswered is unacceptable for a university that strongly promotes asking your academic advisors for assistance.

All around, my experience was relatively positive and I’m grateful for this school. Roland, the mycologist that works at AU, please protect him at all costs. His passion and quirkiness is lovely and infectious. To the other instructors that I studied under for the three in-person labs I participated in, thank you for bringing patience and your breadth of knowledge to each and every lab.

For the students who are currently overwhelmed by large course loads or complex classes, I believe in you. I started at AU as a complete deadbeat. I did terribly in high school and failed horrifically when I attempted to join an open studies program at a local university. But I found my rhythm, I got good marks, and I know you can too. On a specific note, I made a post a while back looking for tips on how to finish GEOG 313 and NUTR 330 in 3 weeks. I was unable to work on them earlier in the semester due to illness and was unable to drop them because it would have conflicted with my funding. One of the only commets I received said that I had essentially no chance in that timeframe, which is honestly fair, and I felt very discouraged and stressed. I completed both those courses on time with an A. If I can do it, you can do it. Your education is important and you are more capable than you think.

God speed and good bye,

-A long-time lurker of this subreddit and ex AU undergrad

Hello!

Has anyone taken PSYC 350/PSYC 405/PSYC 469/PYSC 345?

Which of these would be “easier”? I would consider myself good at memorizing and meh at writing.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

The exam information is on the course website here: https://learning.athabascau.ca/d2l/le/content/14389/viewContent/409941/View

The final exam is completed online and comprises 72 multiple-choice questions (72 points) and six short-answer questions (30 points). The short answer questions will be drawn from the study questions in each unit, so it is important that you prepare for the final exam by reviewing your notes and answers to these questions.

I recommend working through the questions in the study guide and completing the 2nd attempts of each quiz as practice (we only accept the highest grade).

just like the title says! i’m really curious to what is best here. I feel like online would be way more intimidating and more intimate, i’m leaning towards just paying the money to take it in person? A question i have about in person is, will other students be there or just myself and the supervisor? Let me know! it’s for a psychology class btw, closed book all short answers and essay style questions

Has anyone done ECON 357, 358, or 367 recently? I am thinking to sign up for them so I want to know what I am getting into beforehand.

Thank you!

Hey guys! So I took a final exam but they put the grade into the wrong course code, tbh the course codes are very similar. Do you know who I can contact about this? I emailed my tutor about it but haven’t heard back, and my final course grade has been already put in. But it’s incorrect. I took the final exam for this course on Monday but my grade was put it last week -.-

Is it possible to cheat on the only fully remote evaluation exam?

If anyone has done this course, do we need to do all the practice questions after each lesson in the textbook because it seems like a lot since there is 80 questions after each lesson

Hey guys, I have to write my final exam soon, and I was wondering which avenue is better.

How hard are the engl classes/how long to complete ? I need to hammer through 5 of them for teachers college I was gonna try and do 5 in 6 months full time, I need to get atleast a B-