Instructor. Al Boggess
Contact Information Office: Milner 217; E-mail: boggess@math.tamu.edu. However, course materials and e-mail correspondence regarding this class should be handled through your webassign account (your username and password is your UIN).
Office hours to be announced during the first week of class
Description and Objectives. This two credit class is an introduction to actuarial science, which is the application of mathematical and statistical methods to assess risk in the insurance and finance industries. This involves a number of related subjects, including probability, statistics, finance, and economics. This class will focus on using probabilistic models for the estimation of insurance premiums. The primary objective of this class is to prepare you for the first Actuarial Exam (Exam P).
Prerequisites MATH 411 or STAT414.
Required Calculator. TI 30XS Multiview (approx $15 from Target, Best Buy, Office Depot).
Grades. HOMEWORKS 50% --- QUIZZES 50%. Homework, due every Monday, is done on Webassign. For the first 10 weeks each homework will be a set of (approximately) twelve past actuarial exam questions, multiple choice and computer graded. For the last 4 weeks each homework will have a time limit, ten past actuarial exam questions in 60 minutes, again multiple choice and computer graded. Each homework will have equal weight. Quizzes (i.e. practice exams) will be held every class period in the last four weeks, 5 questions in 30 minutes. Each quiz will have equal weight. There will be no final exam. At the end of semester final grades will be allocated in accordance with the usual university scale: A 100-90%, B 89-80%, C 79-70%, D 69-60%, F 60-0%.
Attendance.The University Attendance Policy will be strictly adhered to throughout the course. Class attendance is an individual student responsibility. Make-ups for missed homework or quizzes will be granted only for university excused absences (e.g. contagious illness, death in the immediate family, participation in a university authorized activity). As per university regulations, an excused absence requires you to notify me by e-mail (through Webassign) by the end of the second working day after the absence. You must submit documentation in the case of sickness or injury (doctor's note specifying the period of illness). With proper documentation, you will be given 30 days to make up missed work.
Disabilities. The following ADA Policy Statement (part of the Policy on Individual Disabling Conditions) was submitted to the University Curriculum Committee by the Department of Student Life. The policy statement was forwarded to the Faculty Senate for information. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, the legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Department of Student Life, Services for Students with Disabilities, in Cain Hall or call 845-1637.
Grading Disputes As per University regulations, a student who believes that his or her final grade reflects a capricious, arbitrary or prejudiced academic evaluation should first discuss the matter with the instructor of the class. If no satisfactory resolution is reached with the instructor, the student may appeal to the associate head of the department (Blocker 601). Grade appeals must be initiated within 180 days of the last day of the semester.
Schedule.