Actuarial Sciences Major
Actuarial science is the mathematical analysis of problems in economics, finance, and insurance. It requires knowledge of statistics, probability, and interest theory and how they relate to financial issues.
Official requirements can be found in the Undergraduate Handbook. They will be updated for students starting in Fall 2009 or later according to the requirements below.
Find more about becoming an actuary at the Actuarial Sciences site.
Major Requirements
Students must take 34 preparatory credits and 31 credits from the core curriculum. To emphasize the importance of communication and business skills for actuaries, students are strongly encouraged to take additional courses in communications, economics, and complete an insurance industry internship.
Preparatory Curriculum
| Math 231* | Calculus and Analytic Geometry I | 4 |
| Math 232* | Calculus and Analytic Geometry II | 4 |
| Math 233* | Calculus and Analytic Geometry III | 4 |
| Math 234 | Calculus and Analytic Geometry II | 4 |
| Bus Adm 201 | Understanding and Using Financial Statements | 3 |
| Econ 103 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| Econ 104 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
At least 6 credits to be completed from among: |
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| Bus Adm 230 | Introduction to Information Systems | 3 |
| CompSci 151 | Introduction to Scientific Programming in Fortran | 3 |
| CompSci 201 | Introductory Computer Programming | 4 |
One of the following three courses: |
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| MthStat 215 | Elementary Statistical Analysis | 3 |
| Econ 210 | Economic Statistics | 3 |
| Bus Adm 210 | Introduction to Management Statistics | 3 |
*Math 231, 232, and 233 must be completed with a GPA of 2.5 or greater.
Core Curriculum
The following coursework is required: |
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| Math 311 | Theory of Interest | 3 |
| Math 571 | Introduction to Probability Models | 3 |
| MthStat 361 | Introduction to Mathematical Statistics I | 3 |
| MthStat 362 | Introduction to Mathematical Statistics II | 3 |
| MthStat 563 | Regression Analysis (VEE) | 3 |
| MthStat 564 | Time Series Analysis (VEE) | 3 |
| MthStat 591 | Foundations of Professional Practice | 3 |
| MthStat 592 | Actuarial Science Laboratory I (P/1) | 3 |
| MthStat 593 | Actuarial Science Laboratory II (FM/2) | 3 |
| Econ 301 | Intermediate Microeconomics | 3 |
| Econ 302 | Intermediate Macroeconomics | 3 |
| Math 599 | Capstone Experience | 1 |
At least one of the following: |
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| Bus Adm 350 | Principles of Finance | 3 |
| Bus Adm 450 | Intermediate Finance | 3 |
Recommended Electives
Some of the required and recommended coursework will satisfy portions of the Letters and Science distribution requirements. Students are strongly encouraged to take Commun 103 and 264 as part of the humanities requirement. Econ 248 (Economics of Discrimination and Poverty) satisfies the cultural diversity requirement. Also recommended are Econ 221 (Health Economics), Econ 325 (Money and Banking), Econ 351 (Intro to International Economic Relations), Econ 455 (International Finance), MthStat 489 (Internship in Mathematical Statistics) and any upper division Mathematics courses.