When it comes to your undergraduate program, it’s incredibly important to follow your interests. If math is your passion, check out the list below for Ontario universities that offer amazing undergraduate mathematics programs.
Written by Khadija Farooq
The University of Waterloo, Bachelor of Mathematics
Offered by the number one faculty of mathematics in all of North America, the Bachelors of Mathematics undergraduate program at the University of Waterloo allows students to choose between 14 majors ranging from Biostatics to Mathematics/Teaching to Mathematical Economics, building their foundations upon a variety of 300+ math courses.
This amazing program is also available with a co-op - allowing you to not only test out different professions whilst establishing your skills and developing a professional network, but also making money to put towards your education. You may also have the option to study abroad, where you could further enhance your understanding of mathematics and simultaneously experience a new culture.
As outlined on the admission requirements on the university’s website, you can take a combination of university and college-level Grade 12 courses, but applicants must also have taken 4U Advanced Functions, 4U Calculus and Vectors, any 4U English course, and an additional 4U course - with the admissions average range being mid to high 80s. It is recommended that applicants have also taken 11U Introduction to Computer Science and participate in the Canadian Senior Mathematics Contest and the Euclid Mathematics Contest. Taking part in the contests is important for the entrance scholarships if you plan on applying for this program; if you participate in both contests, the contest with the higher results is considered.
The University of Toronto, Bachelor of Science in Mathematics
The University of Toronto is a renowned university, having been claimed a global leader in both research and teaching. It offers programs in mathematics - though it is important to note that the degree you’d receive in this case would be an Honours Bachelors of Science with a major, minor, or specialization in mathematics.
It’s also important to understand that there are two different campuses at U of T that offer such programs, and depending on which one you choose, your program and prerequisites might look a little different.
At the St. George campus, you’ll find that other than the major or minor options, the department also provides eight options for specialist programs with coursework more solely focusing on mathematics. This selection includes Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Mathematics and Physics, Mathematics and Philosophy, Mathematical Applications in Economics and Finance, and Mathematics and its Applications programs. Furthermore, this university even has co-op options and a six-year-long combined degree program in which you can earn both an Honours Bachelor of Science (HBSc) from the University of Toronto and a Master of Teaching (MT) from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) - an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in teaching mathematics.
The Scarborough campus itself has three specialist programs in science (Comprehensive Stream, Statistics Stream, and Teaching Stream) with opportunities with co-op as well. For more information on the programs, check out the university’s website.
For the programs at both campuses, 4U Calculus and Vectors and 4U English are listed as admission requirements.
Carleton University, Bachelor of Mathematics
A Bachelor of Mathematics degree at Carleton University requires a minimum average of 78-82%. Specifically, there are three Honours programs within the Bachelors of Mathematics at Carleton - Mathematics, Statistics, and Computational and Applied Mathematics and Statistics - with also the possibility of having a Combined Honours. Co-op opportunities are available with this program.
To be considered, applicants to this program must take 4U Advanced Functions and 4U Calculus and Vectors, with grades in either course of above 60%. Co-op credits are not considered as part of the 4U/M six courses evaluated in determining if applicants will be receiving an acceptance.
York University, Bachelor of Art/Sciences in Mathematics
York University offers Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degrees in mathematics - ranging from Honours Minor, Honours Major, and Specialized Honours Major. As mentioned earlier, the specialized program would have a greater focus on mathematics/statistics.
To gain admission into the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts program, you would need to take 4U Advanced Functions, 4U English, and four additional 4U/M courses - 4U Calculus and Vectors recommended to be one of them. If applying to the Bachelor of Science program, you would be required to further take a 4U science (Biology/Physics/Chemistry) as one of the four additional 4U/M courses. The academic average the university website advises applicants to aim for is from the high 70s to mid-80s.
Ryerson University, Bachelor of Science in Mathematics
The undergraduate program in Mathematics and its Applications at Ryerson University allows students to gain a Bachelors of Science in Mathematics.
The first year of this program will look a lot like other science programs, purely because you’d be initially admitted into the Common First Year of the Science Program. This allows students to get a better sense of various science-based routes before committing to the Mathematics programs. This mathematics program includes three compulsory computer science programs, but students might also take the Option in Computer Science for a greater emphasis on mathematics as it’s related to computer science. They may also choose the Option in Economics for a more in-depth study of mathematics and its relationship to economics.
Similar to the programs we’ve already covered, this program at Ryerson requires students wishing for admission into the program to have taken 4U Advanced Functions, 4U English, 4U Calculus and Vectors or 4U Mathematics of Data Management, a 4U science course (Biology, Physics, Chemistry), and two additional 4U courses. Note that 4M courses are not included in the requirements.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, each of these universities provides quality education and a variety of options, and you may need to do additional research to figure out which is the best for you. Aside from the program, you might also want to look at the tuition fees, any scholarships available, the atmosphere, what students in the program are saying, and the location. You should also focus on your priorities and goals, considering what’s feasible for you. Now before you get overwhelmed, take a deep breath and remember, you’ve got this! Best of luck! <3
Works Cited
Future Students. (n.d.). University of Toronto. Retrieved January 12, 2021, from
Mathematics. (2020, November 20). University of Waterloo. Retrieved January 12,
Mathematics. (2020, November 24). University of Toronto. Retrieved January 12, 2021,
Mathematics. (n.d.). University of Toronto. Retrieved January 12, 2021, from
Mathematics (BMath). (n.d.). Carleton University. Retrieved January 12, 2021, from
Specialist Program In Mathematics (Science). (n.d.). University of Toronto Retrieved
Ontario High School – Current. (n.d.). Carleton University. Retrieved January 12, 2021,
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