Post-Secondary Admissions
Overview
We often get the question as to which Math course students should take. Students in grade 11 and 12 may take one of three math branches: Foundations of Math, Pre-Calculus, or Apprenticeship and Workplace. Which course to take depends on the program students plan to get into for post-secondary.
What is the difference between Apprenticeship and Workplace Math, Foundations of Math, and Pre-Calculus?
Pre-Calculus focuses on the study of theoreticial calculus such as trigonometry, algebra, permutations, and combinations. Foundations of Mathematics looks at topics for non-calculus based fields of study such as geometry, relations and functions, finance, statistics, and probability. Apprenticeship and Workplace Math is intended for students who plan to have a career in trades. The following is a description of each course:
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
| Apprenticeship and Workplace | Apprenticeship and Workplace courses are intended for students who plan on going directly into a trades program, or who will enter into the workplace directly from high school. Trades programs are professions such as carpentry, electrician, plumbing, and construction. |
| Foundations of Mathematics | Foundations of Mathematics are intended for students who plan to endeavour in social sciences, humanities, and arts. Geography, history, psychology, english, music, and fine arts are examples of such fields. |
| Pre-Calculus | Pre-Calculus are intended for students planning to study in a math-based post-secondary program. Students planning to enroll in the Faculty of Science, Engineering, or Business in post-secondary should take Pre-Calculus. Pre-Calculus courses provide the necessary establishments for Calculus in post-seocondary. |
Which course should my child take?
It depends on the intended field of study or career path for your child. Foundations of Mathematics are recommended for students who do not need to study Calculus in a post secondary institution. If your child has not decided on a career or academic path in post-secondary, it would be safest to enroll in the Pre-Calculus stream as it is accepted in any post-secondary faculty.
As shown in the diagram above, students have the option to switch to another stream (e.g.: from Foundations to Pre-Calculus) in grade 11 or enroll in multiple streams. Math Tutor Network would not recommend switching between streams as the materials covered are quite different.
Post-Secondary Admission Requirements
University and college requirements vary depending on the disipline of study. Students shall take Pre-Calculus if they are unsure what they want to go into in post-secondary. The following are the minimum math requirements for BC institutions:
| Institution | |
|---|---|
| BCIT | |
| Arts | Varies by program |
| Science | Pre-Calculus 12 |
| Engineering | Pre-Calculus 12 |
| Business | Varies by program |
| Douglas College | |
| Arts | Varies by program |
| Science | Pre-Calculus 12 |
| Engineering | Pre-Calculus 12 |
| Business | Pre-Calculus 11 |
| Langara College | |
| Arts | Varies by program |
| Science | Pre-Calculus 12 |
| Engineering | Pre-Calculus 12 |
| Business | Pre-Calculus 12 |
| Trinity Western | |
| Arts | Foundations 11 |
| Science | Pre-Calculus 12 |
| Engineering | Pre-Calculus 12 |
| Business | N/A |
| UNBC | |
| Arts | Varies by program |
| Science | Pre-Calculus 12 |
| Engineering | Pre-Calculus 12 |
| Business | Foundations 11 / Pre-Calculus 11 |
| UBC-Okanagan | |
| Arts | Varies by program |
| Science | Pre-Calculus 12 |
| Engineering | Pre-Calculus 12 |
| Business | Pre-Calculus 12 |
| UBC-Vancouver | |
| Arts | Pre-Calculus 11 / Foundations 12 |
| Science | Pre-Calculus 12 |
| Engineering | Pre-Calculus 12 |
| Business | Pre-Calculus 12 |
| SFU | |
| Arts | Foundations 11 |
| Science | Pre-Calculus 12 |
| Engineering | Pre-Calculus 12 |
| Business | Pre-Calculus 12 |
| Capilano University | |
| Arts | Varies by program |
| Science | Pre-Calculus 12 |
| Engineering | Pre-Calculus 12 |
| Business | Foundations 11 |
| Kwantlen Polytechnic University | |
| Arts | Pre-Calculus 11 / Foundations 12 |
| Science | Pre-Calculus 12 |
| Engineering | Pre-Calculus 12 |
| Business | Varies by program |
| Institution | Arts | Science | Engineering | Business |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BCIT | Varies by program | Pre-Calculus 12 | Pre-Calculus 12 | Varies by program |
| Douglas College | Varies by program | Pre-Calculus 12 | Pre-Calculus 12 | Pre-Calculus 11 |
| Langara College | Varies by program | Pre-Calculus 12 | Pre-Calculus 12 | Pre-Calculus 12 |
| Trinity Western | Foundations 11 | Pre-Calculus 12 | Pre-Calculus 12 | N/A |
| UNBC | Varies by program | Pre-Calculus 12 | Pre-Calculus 12 | Foundations 11 / Pre-Calculus 11 |
| UBC-Okanagan | Varies by program | Pre-Calculus 12 | Pre-Calculus 12 | Pre-Calculus 12 |
| UBC-Vancouver | Pre-Calculus 11 / Foundations 12 | Pre-Calculus 12 | Pre-Calculus 12 | Pre-Calculus 12 |
| SFU | Foundations 11 | Pre-Calculus 12 | Pre-Calculus 12 | Pre-Calculus 12 |
| Capilano University | Varies by program | Pre-Calculus 12 | Pre-Calculus 12 | Foundations 11 |
| Kwantlen Polytechnic University | Pre-Calculus 11 / Foundations 12 | Pre-Calculus 12 | Pre-Calculus 12 | Varies by program |
Need more info?
Our tutors are happy to assist students and help them excel no matter which course they decide to take. If you have any questions, please contact us.