MHF4U, Advanced Functions, Grade 12, University – online course

MHF4U is the Grade 12 University-preparation math course extending the study of functions: polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions, plus rates of change. It’s required by most university STEM, business, and many health-science programs, and it’s the prerequisite for Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U).

MHF4U is one of the more challenging Grade 12 courses — it moves quickly through advanced algebra, trigonometric identities, and rational functions. The trigonometry unit (compound- and double-angle identities) is typically the hardest. Steady practice is the difference-maker, and OES includes free 24/7 math tutoring for exactly those moments.

The prerequisite for MHF4U is MCR3U (Functions, Grade 11 University) or MCT4C (Mathematics for College Technology, Grade 12). The MCT4C route matters: it gives students who took MCF3M in Grade 11 a path into Advanced Functions.

MHF4U is required or strongly recommended by most business/commerce, computer science, engineering (with MCV4U), mathematics, and many health-science and economics programs. It’s the most broadly required Grade 12 math. If your program list isn’t final, taking MHF4U keeps the most options open.

MHF4U (Advanced Functions) deepens function skills — polynomial, logarithmic, trigonometric — while MCV4U (Calculus and Vectors) introduces derivatives and 2D/3D vectors. MHF4U comes first and is required by more programs; MCV4U is required mainly for engineering, physical sciences, and some CS and math programs.

Most programs requiring MHF4U expect at least 70%, and competitive STEM, business, and health-science programs often look for mid-70s to high-80s. Since MHF4U usually counts in your admission average, a strong mark helps twice — meeting the requirement and lifting the average.

Yes. OES offers a dedicated Upgrade: MHF4U course built specifically for retaking MHF4U to raise your mark — Ontario universities and colleges use your highest grade. It’s self-paced and open year-round, so you can upgrade alongside your day school, a job, or a gap year and finish in as little as 4 weeks. See the Upgrade: MHF4U page for details.

Yes. Ontario students who started Grade 9 in the 2020–21 school year or later must earn at least two online learning credits to graduate, and MHF4U at OES — a Ministry-inspected online school (BSID #667186) — counts toward that requirement. An opt-out process exists through school boards, and specific provisions apply to students affected by the 2021 school closures.

MHF4U meets the Ministry of Education’s attendance and participation expectations through activities blended directly into the course. OES requires students to log in at least once per week for attendance, and participation activities appear throughout the course and are reflected in the grade book — preserving self-paced flexibility while satisfying the requirements for online courses.

Yes — mathematics is one of Ontario’s STEM-related course groups (business studies, computer studies, cooperative education, mathematics, science, and technological education), from which students entering Grade 9 in 2024 or later must complete one credit. For math and science, the credit counts when earned in addition to your compulsory math and science credits, so MHF4U can double as your STEM-group credit.

Ontario’s Growing Success policy pre-determines the evaluation structure for every credit. Beginning in the 2026–27 school year, MHF4U is graded on classroom work completed throughout the course (65%) plus a Ministry-mandated final evaluation worth 25% for Grades 11–12, with attendance and participation also reflected in the final grade. A credit is granted at 50% or higher — and as an inspected private school, OES may administer final evaluations online, while school-board online courses generally require in-person exam sittings.