Overview
Health Studies 200: Introduction to Human Health (I) emphasizes the major aspects of health and health-related areas that are of concern to Canadians. The course explores the nature and causes of health problems and discusses the treatment and prevention of diseases. Specific topics include nutrition, weight, sexuality, physical activity, pregnancy, substance use, communicable and non-communicable diseases, and aging. Much of the information provided will be of practical value, such as tips for improving your physical and mental health.
Outline
HLST 200 includes the following 13 units:
- Unit 1: An Invitation to Health and Wellness
- Unit 2: Psychosocial Health
- Unit 3: Personal Stress Management
- Unit 4: Physical Activity
- Unit 5: Personal Nutrition
- Unit 6: Weight and Health
- Unit 7: Personal Relationships and Sexuality
- Unit 8: Reproductive Choices
- Unit 9: Infectious Diseases
- Unit 10: Major Diseases
- Unit 11: Substance Use
- Unit 12: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Nicotine
- Unit 13: Healthy Aging
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to
- define and use common terms in personal health and wellness.
- critically evaluate your own personal health and wellness based on multiple tools.
- define, explain, and distinguish between various illnesses, diseases, and lifestyle choices that impact one’s health and wellness.
- argue for the importance of prevention, treatment, and study of major illnesses, diseases and lifestyle choice to improve individual health and wellness.
- communicate ideas clearly in a written format, including accurate grammar, syntax, and spelling.
Evaluation
To receive credit for HLST 200, you must achieve a course composite grade of at least D (50 percent) and a grade of at least D (50 percent) on each assignment.
The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
| Activity | Weight |
| Reflection Activities 1–5 (5% each) | 25% |
| Assignment 1 | 20% |
| Assignment 2 | 20% |
| Assignment 3 | 35% |
| Total | 100% |
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Digital course materials
Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:
Tunks, D., & Lauzon, L. (2025). An invitation to health (7th Canadian ed.). Cengage.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the HLST 200 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent) on the course paper.
| Activity | Weight |
| Course Paper | 100% |
| Total | 100% |
Challenge for credit course registration form