Choosing the Right Math Course

1) Choosing the Right Grade 9 Course:

 Grade 9 Math – MTH1W1

         - this is the course most grade 9 students will enroll in

Grade 9 Math Gifted – MTH1W6

Students must be placed in the Gifted Program at Northern through the IPRC process.

In addition, we recommend that these students:

        - have a love and passion for math          

        - have earned over 80% in grade 7 and 8 math

        - be interested in an academic curriculum with enrichment (differs in depth, breadth, and pace)         

Grade 9 Math Core – MTH1W9

Students must be placed in the Core Program at Northern through the IPRC process.

Grade 9 Math DHH – MTH1WH

Students must be placed in the DHH Program at Northern through the IPRC process.

Locally Developed Grade 9 Math MAT1L1

Access to this math stream must be approved by Northern administration


2) Choosing the Right Grade 10 Course:

 Grade 10 Academic Math MPM2D1

         - this is the course most grade 9 students will enroll in

Grade 10 Gifted Math – MPM2D6

Students must be placed in the Gifted Program at Northern through the IPRC process.

In addition, we recommend that these students:

        - have a love and passion for math          

        - have earned over 80% in grade 9 math

        - be interested in an academic curriculum with enrichment (differs in depth, breadth, and pace)   

Grade 10 Core Math – MPM2D9

Students must be placed in the Core Program at Northern through the IPRC process.

Grade 10 Math DHH – MPM2DH

Students must be placed in the DHH Program at Northern through the IPRC process.

Locally Developed Grade 10 Math – MAT2L1

Access to this math stream must be approved by Northern administration


3) Choosing the Right Grade 11 Course:

When selecting a math course in grade 11, students must look forward to pre-requisites for grade 12 math courses. Students should confirm University or College entrance requirements with the individual schools and their guidance counselors. 

We offer 4 different grade 11 math courses:

Functions MCR 3U1/6

This course introduces the concept of the function by extending students' experiences with linear and quadratic relations. We recommend that students have a minimum of 70% in grade 10 academic math to be successful in this course. This course is a pre-requisite for MHF4U, MCV4U and MDM4U

Students must be placed in the Gifted Program at Northern through the IPRC process.

Functions and Applications – MCF 3M1

This course is an extension of grade 10 academic and will give students that struggled in grade 10 an opportunity to strengthen those skills. We recommend that students have a minimum of 55% in grade 10 academic math to be successful in this course. This course is a pre-requisite for MDM4U

Foundations for College Mathematics – MBF 3C1/9/H

This course enables students to broaden their understanding of mathematics as a problem-solving tool in the real world. We recommend that students select this course if they got less than 55% in grade 10 academic math. This course is a pre-requisite for MAP4C.

Students must be placed in the Core/DHH Program at Northern through the IPRC process.

Mathematics for Work and Everyday Life – MEL 3E1 

This course enables students to broaden their understanding of mathematics as it is applied in the workplace and daily life. Topics will include earning money, paying taxes, and making purchases, simple and compound interest in saving, investing, and borrowing, the costs of transportation and travel. We recommend that students select this course if they did not earn the grade 10 applied math credit on first attempt. This course is a pre-requisite for MEL 4E.

Access to this math stream must be approved by Northern administration


4) Choosing the Right Grade 12 Course:

Please note that students need to pass 3 math credits as part of their OSSD. Any more than that are by choice. Most (but not all) students choose math in grade 12 because the university or college programs they want to apply to require grade 12 math. We have included a document at the bottom of this page that outlines the math requirements for most Ontario University programs. Please double check these requirements directly with the University programs - this is a guide only. 

We offer 3 different 4U (grade 12 university) math credits as well as MAP4C and MEL4E:

Data Management  – MDM4U1

This course focuses on probability and statistics and is a stand-alone course. Students often take this course if they need only one 4U math credit and the type is not specified by the university entrance requirements. This is a great course for students wishing to take psychology or the social sciences or a math degree. We recommend that students have a minimum of 65% in grade 11 math to be successful in this course. 

Advanced Functions – MHF4U1
This course is an extension of the grade 11U math course and it will feel familiar to the students in the types of content we cover. This course is a prerequisite or co-requisite to MCV4U. We recommend that students have a minimum of 70% in grade 11 math to be successful in this course.

Calculus and Vectors – MCV4U 1

This course covers the basics of limits and differentiation in Calculus then introduces students to vector geometry in Vectors. This course must be taken at the same time as or after MHF4U. We recommend that students have a minimum of 75% in grade 11 math to be successful in this course. This course can be taken at the U level or the AP level (where students will have the option to write the AP exam). Any students currently in 3U should speak to their teacher directly about the AP course.

Foundations for College Mathematics – MAP4C1  

This course enables students to broaden their understanding of real-world applications of mathematics. Students will analyze data using statistical methods; solve problems involving applications of geometry and trigonometry; solve financial problems connected with annuities, budges and renting or owing accommodation; simplify expressions and solve equations. This course prepares students for college programs in areas such as business, health sciences and human services and for certain skilled trades.