Choosing a First Year Course

A list of first year mathematics courses and their full descriptions can be found in the Academic Calendar.

Introductory Calculus (Mathematics 0110A)

Incoming students who require a university level course in calculus in order to enter a module, but who did not complete introductory calculus in secondary school (called MCV4U in the Ontario public school system), must take Mathematics 0110A first. Mathematics 0110A is designed as a catch up course for such students. Students who have already taken an introductory calculus course should not enrol in Math 0110A.

First Year Methods Courses (Mathematics 1229A, 1228A/B and 1225B)

Many programs, for example some BMOS and Biology modules, allow students to satisfy their first year mathematics requirements with a combination of Mathematics 1229A (Methods of Matrix Algebra), 1228A/B (Methods of Finite Mathematics) and 1225B (Methods of Calculus). The level of presentation in these courses is not as high as that in other first year mathematics courses. So, opting for these courses closes certain doors. For example, these courses do not fulfill the prerequisites for any second year mathematics course. Nor do they satisfy the minimum entrance requirements for most Science or Economics modules. The Academic Calendar should be consulted to verify that these courses meet the minimum entry requirements for each module under consideration.

Students who did not take a secondary school level course in calculus (typically MCV4U in Ontario) must complete Mathematics 0110A before enrolling in Math 1225B. An incoming student without a secondary school calculus course will probably find Mathematics 1229A/1228B the easiest path to fulfill the entry requirements for some modules.

First Year Calculus (Calculus 1000A/B, 1500A, 1301B and 1501B)

Calculus 1000A/B is the first university level mathematics course for many Western Science and Social Science students. This course assumes that the student has completed an introductory calculus course in secondary school. Students without introductory calculus must complete Mathematics 0110A before enrolling in Calculus 1000A/B.

Calculus 1500A is an enriched version of Calculus 1000A/B. Incoming first year students interested in studying one of the mathematical sciences will find Calculus 1500A the most suitable for their needs. Calculus 1500A is highly recommended to any student interested in pursuing a Major in Mathematics or Honors Specialization in Mathematics. Calculus 1500A is not recommended for students who do not intend to pursue mathematics beyond second year calculus and linear algebra.

Calculus 1000A/B and 1500A are continued in Calculus 1301B and 1501B. Calculus 1501B is an enriched version of Calculus 1301B that is mostly intended for students interested in economics, the mathematical sciences or the physical sciences.

Calculus 1000A and 1500A are interchangeable as prerequisites to higher level courses. In particular, it is possible to enrol in Calculus 1301B or 1501B with either Calculus 1000A or 1500A.

  • For students interested in one of the mathematical sciences, Calculus 1500A/1501B is recommended.
  • For students interested in economics or one of the physical sciences, Calculus 1000A/1501B is recommended.
  • For all other students who require calculus, either Calculus 1000A or Calculus 1000A/1301B is usually sufficient.

First Year Linear Algebra (Mathematics 1600A/B)

Many modules in the mathematical and physical sciences, as well as economics, require Mathematics 1600A/B, which is a first course in linear algebra. This course is intended for students with good mathematical skills.

Fundamental Concepts in Mathematics (Mathematics 1120B)

Mathematics 1120B is intended primarily for students pursuing a module in one of the mathematical sciences. It is designed to help students bridge the transition from calculationally based mathematics (like calculus and matrix algebra) to more advanced proof-based mathematics (like real analysis and abstract algebra). Math 1120B is highly recommended to any student interested in pursuing a Major in Mathematics or Honors Specialization in Mathematics.