SPH4C – Grade 12 Physics Online Course (Ontario)

SPH4C is the Grade 12 College-preparation physics course covering motion, mechanical systems, electricity and electromagnetism, energy transformations, and hydraulic and pneumatic systems — physics grounded in the tools, machines, and systems used in technology careers.

The prerequisite for SPH4C is Grade 10 Science — SNC2D (Academic) or SNC2P (Applied). No Grade 11 physics is required, which makes SPH4C an accessible senior physics option.

SPH4C supports college programs in engineering technology, electrical and mechanical trades, HVAC, aviation technology, and similar applied fields where practical physics understanding matters. It’s the physics credit tailored to hands-on technical pathways.

SPH4C (College) is practical and systems-focused with lighter math, preparing students for college technology programs. SPH4U (University) is theoretical and math-intensive, required for engineering degrees. University-bound engineering students need SPH4U; SPH4C suits college and trades routes.

SPH4C 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.

SPH4C covers motion and its applications, mechanical systems (forces, machines), electricity and electromagnetism (circuits, motors), energy transformations, and hydraulic and pneumatic systems — the physics behind commonly used tools and technologies.

Yes. Many students take SPH4C at OES to raise a mark for university or college applications — Ontario uses your highest grade for the course. The course is self-paced and open year-round, so you can retake it alongside your day-school timetable and finish in as little as 4 weeks.

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 SPH4C 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.

Yes — science 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 SPH4C 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, SPH4C 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.