Biology - Major in Biology Program

Required courses:
ASC 281 Probability for Risk Management

This class provides an introduction to probability with a focus on applications to risk management in property/casualty and life insurance. We study fundamental concepts in general probability, counting problems, and probability distributions, both discrete and continuous, single-variable and multivariate. ASC 281 covers the material on SOA exam P - Probability. Prerequisite: MAS 112. 3 credits.

ASC 385 Mathematics of Finance

This course is an introduction to interest theory (including applications) and fundamental financial instruments. Interest theory topics covered include time value of money, annuities, loans, bonds, project appraisal, portfolios, duration, immunization, swaps, and the term structure of interest rates. These ideas are then applied to study various financing and budgeting methods for corporations. ASC 385 covers the material on SOA exam FM. Prerequisite: MAS 112 or MAS 162. 3 credits.

ASC 481 Mathematics of Life Contingencies I

This is the first part of a two-semester study of long-term life-contingent payment models. Topics include survival distributions, present value random variables, benefits, premiums, reserves, and option pricing. ASC 481 and ASC 472, together, cover the material on SOA exam FAM; ASC 481 and ASC 482, together, cover the content of SOA exam ALTAM. Prerequisite: Prerequisite: ASC 385; Corequisite: MAS 371. 3 credits.

CSC 120 Introduction to Programming with Python

This course introduces the fundamentals of computer programming using the Python programming language. Topics include: variables, types, and assignment; iteration and conditional execution; functions, modules, and structured design; complex types and data structures. Students will also learn to use AI tools to assist with programming tasks. 3 credits.

CSC 220 Actuarial Software Structures

This course will explore technologies commonly used in the actuarial profession, including Excel, VBA, database design, and programming. Students will also study probability topics using these tools. Prerequisite: CSC-120 and ASC-281, MAS-270 or MAS-371. 3 credits.

ECN 101 Principles of Microeconomics

The course examines how individuals and firms make choices within the institution of free-market capitalism. Individuals decide how much of their time to spend working and what to buy with the earnings of their labor. Firms decide how much to produce and in some cases what price to charge for their goods. Together these choices determine what is produced, how it is produced, and for whom it is produced in our economic system. Fulfills requirement: Quantitative Reasoning,Social Scientific Inquiry. 3 credits.

ECN 102 Principles of Macroeconomics

This course extends the study of consumer and producer choices to discover how they affect the nation's economy. Macroeconomics deals with the economy as a whole as measured by the key variables of inflation, unemployment, and economic growth. Emphasis is on both Keynesian and classical theories and how they predict what monetary and fiscal policies can be used to affect these variables and reach national economic goals. Fulfills requirement: Quantitative Reasoning,Social Scientific Inquiry. 3 credits.

MAS 111 Analysis I

A calculus sequence for department majors and other students desiring a rigorous introduction to elementary calculus. Fulfills requirement: Quantitative Reasoning. Prerequisite: MAS 102 at LVC, or satisfactory score on the math readiness test. This test is administered during New Student Advising Days for incoming students or can be taken by arrangement with the math department (717-867-6080) Co-requisite: MAS 113. 4 credits.

MAS 112 Analysis II

Second semester of a calculus sequence for department majors and other students desiring a rigorous introduction to elementary calculus. Fulfills requirement: Quantitative Reasoning. Prerequisite: MAS 111; Corequisite: MAS 114. 4 credits.

MAS 113 Introduction to Mathematical Thinking I

An introduction to college mathematics for potential mathematical science majors. Corequisite: MAS 111. 1 credit.

MAS 114 Introduction to Mathematical Thinking II

Second semester. Introduction to college mathematics for potential mathematical science majors. Corequisite: MAS 112. 1 credit.

MAS 202 Foundations of Mathematics

Introduction to logic, set theory and proof techniques. Prerequisites: MAS 222 or ASC 281. 3 credits.

MAS 261 Calculus III

Multivariate calculus including partial differentiation, multiple integration, vector fields and vector functions. Prerequisites: MAS 112 or MAS 162. 3 credits.

MAS 371 Statistical Inference

An introduction to the mathematical foundations of probability and statistics, with a focus on estimation, sampling distributions, and hypothesis testing. This course satisfies the Society of Actuaries' Validation through Educational Experience (VEE) criteria for mathematical statistics. Prerequisites: MAS 202; and ASC 281 or MAS 270. 3 credits.

MAS 372 Statistical Modeling

Study of various modeling techniques including regression, decision trees, unsupervised learning, and time series methods with implementation in the computer language R. The course also provides an introduction to generalized linear models and generalized additive models. MAS 372 covers the material on SOA exam SRM - Statistics for Risk Modeling. Prerequisite: MAS 270 or ASC 281. 3 credits.

One of the following:
ACT 131 Fundamentals of Accounting and Financial Statement Analysis

This course will provide students with an introduction to the fundamentals of the accounting system, basic financial statements, and SEC filings. You will learn how transactions get recorded in a business' financial records and become familiar with the concept of footnote disclosures. You will evaluate and analyze how financial statements are used by stakeholders and how information contained therein in collected. Students are not permitted to take ACT 131 if they have previously completed ACT 151 with a C- or better. 3 credits.

ACT 151 Financial Accounting

Basic concepts of accounting including: accounting for business transactions, preparation and use of financial statements, and measurement of owners' equity. Restricted to Accounting, Actuarial Science, & Analytical Finance majors. 3 credits.

One of the following:
ASC 472 Loss Distributions and Credibility Theory

In this course, we study short-term loss models as well as the process of selecting, constructing, and evaluating a model to solve an actuarial problem. Topics include frequency, severity, parametric estimation, credibility, and pricing/reserving. ASC 472 and ASC 481, together, cover the content of SOA exam FAM; in addition, ASC 472 also covers the majority of the topics on SOA exam ASTAM. Prerequisite: MAS 371. 3 credits.

ASC 482 Mathematics of Life Contingencies II

This is the second part of a two-semester study of long-term life-contingent payment models. Topics include multiple-state models for insurance, annuities, premium computation, and policy valuation; pension accrual, valuation, and funding; universal life insurance; and options embedded in insurance contracts. This course and ASC 481, together, cover the topics on SOA exam ALTAM. Prerequisites: ASC 481. 3 credits.

One actuarial exam administered by the SOA or CAS must be passed before senior standing is reached.

There is no Actuarial Science minor.

This curriculum covers the content of SOA exams P, FM, SRM, FAM, ASTAM, ALTAM, and PA. In addition, it also covers 70% of CAS exam 1, 90% of CAS exam 2, and 30% of CAS exam 5.

For students transferring into the Department of Mathematical Sciences after having completed two semesters of calculus, the MAS 111, 112, 113, 114 requirement may be replaced with MAS 161, 162, and one other MAS course numbered 200 or higher, which is not otherwise used to fulfill the requirements of the student's major and is approved by the student's advisor.