間眅埶AV

i Please note:  

To view the current calendar, go to

| 間眅埶AV Calendar | Fall 2013

Actuarial Science Major

Bachelor of Science

The Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science offers a bachelor of science (BSc) program in actuarial science within the Faculty of Science.

The program maintains a committee of advisors whose office hours are available at the general office and at . Students should seek advice early in their academic careers about program planning from the department's advisors.

間眅埶AV Requirements

The program admits approximately 25-30 students each year. Students will be selected competitively.

For admission, students must have completed each lower division required course in mathematics and statistics, or its equivalent, with a minimum C+ grade. Students are also required to have completed ACMA 210 with a minimum grade of C+ and have a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of at least 3.0.

Achieving the minimum grade requirements will not guarantee program admission.

Students normally apply for admission in the term in which they complete ACMA 210.

Courses for Further Credit

No student may complete, for further credit, any course offered by the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science which is a prerequisite for a course the student has already completed with a grade of C- or higher without permission of the department.

Computing Recommendation

Some experience with a high level programming language is recommended by the beginning of the second year.

Prerequisite Grade Requirement

Students must have a grade of C- or better in prerequisites for STAT courses and C or better for ACMA courses offered by the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science.

GPA Required for Continuation

To continue in the program, students must maintain at least a 2.25 grade point average in MATH, STAT, MACM or ACMA courses.

Credit for Statistics Courses

Credit for STAT courses depends on the order in which the courses are completed. There are three kinds of courses:

Introductory course

STAT 100 - Chance and Data Analysis (3)

Chance phenomena and data analysis are studied through simulation and examination of real world contexts including sports, investment, lotteries and environmental issues. Intended to be particularly accessible to students who are not specializing in Statistics. Students with credit for STAT 101, 201, 203, 270 or BUEC 232 will not receive additional credit for this course. Quantitative/Breadth-Science. Prerequisite: REQ-Students with credit for STAT 101, 201, 203, 270 or BUEC 232 will not receive additional credit for this course. Quantitative/Breadth-Science.

Service Courses

STAT 101 - Introduction to Statistics (3)

The collection, description, analysis and summary of data, including the concepts of frequency distribution, parameter estimation and hypothesis testing. To receive credit for both STAT 100 and STAT 101, STAT 100 must be taken first. Intended to be particularly accessible to students who are not specializing in Statistics. Prerequisite: REQ-Students w/ credit for ARCH 376, BUEC 232 (prev. 332) or STAT 270 (prev. MATH 272 & 371) cannot subsequently rec.cred. for STAT 101.Students w/ credit for STAT 102, 203 (prev. STAT 103), 201 or 301, MATH 101 or 102 cannot take STAT 101 for credit. Students with credit for ARCH 376, BUEC 232 (formerly 332) or STAT 270 (formerly MATH 272 and 371) may not subsequently receive credit for STAT 101-3. Students with credit for STAT 102, 201, 203 (formerly STAT 103), 301, MATH 101 or 102 may not take STAT 101 for further credit. Quantitative.

STAT 201 - Statistics for the Life Sciences (3)

Research methodology and associated statistical analysis techniques for students with training in the life sciences. Intended to be particularly accessible to students who are not specializing in Statistics. Prerequisite: 30 units. Students with credit for STAT 101, 102, 203 (formerly 103), 270 (formerly MATH 272) or 301 may not take STAT 201 for further credit. Quantitative.

STAT 203 - Introduction to Statistics for the Social Sciences (3)

Descriptive and inferential statistics aimed at students in the social sciences. Scales of measurement. Descriptive statistics. Measures of association. Hypothesis tests and confidence intervals. Students in Sociology and Anthropology are expected to take SA 255 before this course. Intended to be particularly accessible to students who are not specializing in Statistics. Students with credit for STAT 101, 102, 103, 201, 270, ARCH 376 or, BUEC 232 (formerly 332), may not subsequently receive credit for this course. Recommended: a research methods course such as SA 255, CRIM 120, POL 213 or equivalent is recommended prior to taking STAT 203. Quantitative. Prerequisite: REQ-Students in Sociology and Anthropology are expected to take SA255 before this crs. Students with credit for STAT101, 102, 103, 201, 270, ARCH376 or, BUEC232 (formerly 332), may not receive further credit. Recommended: SA255, CRIM120, POL213 or equiv. Equivalent Courses: STAT102 STAT103 STAT201 STAT270 STAT301. Quantitative.

STAT 302 - Analysis of Experimental and Observational Data (3)

The standard techniques of multiple regression analysis, analysis of variance, and analysis of covariance, and their role in experimental research. Prerequisite: Any STAT course (except STAT 100), or BUEC 232, or ARCH 376. Statistics major and honors students may not use this course to satisfy the required number of elective units of upper division statistics. However, they may include the course to satisfy the total number of required units of upper division credit. Students cannot obtain credit for STAT 302 if they already have credit for STAT 305 and/or 350. Quantitative.

STAT 403 - Intermediate Sampling and Experimental Design (3)

A practical introduction to useful sampling techniques and intermediate level experimental designs. Statistics minor, major and honors students may not use this course to satisfy the required number of elective units of upper division Statistics. However, they may include the course to satisfy the total number of required units of upper division credit. Intended to be particularly accessible to students who are not specializing in Statistics. Prerequisite: STAT 302, 305 or 350. Students with credit for STAT 410 or 430 may not take STAT 403 for further credit. Quantitative.

Mainstream Courses

STAT 270 - Introduction to Probability and Statistics (3)

Basic laws of probability, sample distributions. Introduction to statistical inference and applications. Corequisite: MATH 152 or 155 or 158. Students wishing an intuitive appreciation of a broad range of statistical strategies may wish to take STAT 100 first. Quantitative. Prerequisite: COREQ-MATH 152 or 155 or 158. Students wishing an intuitive appreciation of a broad range of statistical strategies may wish to take STAT 100 first. Equivalent Courses: STAT102 STAT103 STAT201 STAT203 STAT301. Quantitative.

STAT 285 - Intermediate Probability and Statistics (3)

This course is a continuation of STAT 270. Review of probability models, procedures for statistical inference from survey results and experimental data. Statistical model building. Elementary design of experiments and regression methods. Introduction to categorical data analysis. Prerequisite: STAT 270. Prerequisite or corequisite MATH 232 or MATH 240. This course may not be taken for credit by students who have credit for STAT 330 prior to Fall 2003. Quantitative.

STAT 300W - Statistics Communication (3)

Guided experiences in written and oral communication of statistical ideas and results with both scientific and lay audiences. Prerequisite: 間眅埶AV to the major or honors programs in statistics or actuarial science at 間眅埶AV. Corequisite: STAT 350. Students with credit for STAT 300 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.

STAT 330 - Introduction to Mathematical Statistics (3)

Review of probability and distributions. Multivariate distributions. Distributions of functions of random variables. Limiting distributions. Inference. Sufficient statistics for the exponential family. Maximum likelihood. Bayes estimation, Fisher information, limited distributions of MLEs. Likelihood ratio tests. Prerequisite: STAT 285 and MATH 251. Quantitative.

STAT 350 - Linear Models in Applied Statistics (3)

Theory and application of linear regression. Normal distribution theory. Hypothesis tests and confidence intervals. Model selection. Model diagnostics. Introduction to weighted least squares and generalized linear models. Prerequisite: STAT 285 and MATH 251. Quantitative.

STAT 380 - Introduction to Stochastic Processes (3)

Review of discrete and continuous probability models and relationships between them. Exploration of conditioning and conditional expectation. Markov chains. Random walks. Continuous time processes. Poisson process. Markov processes. Gaussian processes. Prerequisite: STAT 330. Quantitative.

STAT 410 - Statistical Analysis of Sample Surveys (3)

An introduction to the major sample survey designs and their mathematical justification. Associated statistical analyses. Prerequisite: STAT 350. Quantitative.

STAT 430 - Statistical Design and Analysis of Experiments (3)

An extension of the designs discussed in STAT 350 to include more than one blocking variable, incomplete block designs, fractional factorial designs, and response surface methods. Prerequisite: STAT 350 (or MATH 372). Equivalent Courses: MATH404. Quantitative.

STAT 450 - Statistical Theory (3)

Distribution theory, methods for constructing tests, estimators, and confidence intervals with special attention to likelihood methods. Properties of the procedures including large sample theory. Prerequisite: STAT 330. Quantitative.

STAT 460 - Bayesian Statistics (3)

The Bayesian approach to statistics is an alternative and increasingly popular way of quantifying uncertainty in the presence of data. This course considers comparative statistical inference, prior distributions, Bayesian computation, and applications. Prerequisite: STAT 330 and 350. Quantitative.

Once a service or mainstream course is completed, credit may not be obtained for STAT 100. Once a mainstream course is completed, credit may not be obtained for any service course. An exception is that both STAT 302 and 403 may be completed for credit after completing STAT 270.

Grade Requirement

Students are required to achieve a CGPA of 2.50 or better to graduate.

Program Requirements

Students complete 120 units, as specified below.

Lower Division Requirements

Students complete all of

ACMA 210 - Mathematics of Compound Interest (3)

Measurement of interest, present value. Equations of value. Basic annuities: immediate, due, perpetuity. General annuities. Yield rates: cash flow analysis, reinvestment rate, portfolio and investment year methods. Amortization schedules and sinking funds. Bonds and other securities. Applications: real estate mortgages depreciation methods. Interest rate disclosure and regulation in Canada. Covers the interest theory portion of Exam FM of the Society of Actuaries. Prerequisite: MATH 152. Students with credit for ACMA 310 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.

ECON 103 - Principles of Microeconomics (4)

The principal elements of theory concerning utility and value, price and costs, factor analysis, productivity, labor organization, competition and monopoly, and the theory of the firm. Students with credit for ECON 200 cannot take ECON 103 for further credit. Quantitative/Breadth-Soc.

ECON 105 - Principles of Macroeconomics (4)

The principal elements of theory concerning money and income, distribution, social accounts, public finance, international trade, comparative systems, and development and growth. Students with credit for ECON 205 cannot take ECON 105 for further credit. Quantitative/Breadth-Soc.

MATH 152 - Calculus II (3)

Riemann sum, Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, definite, indefinite and improper integrals, approximate integration, integration techniques, applications of integration. First-order separable differential equations. Sequences and series, series tests, power series, convergence and applications of power series. Prerequisite: MATH 150 or 151; or MATH 154 or 157 with a grade of at least B. Students with credit for MATH 155 or 158 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.

MATH 251 - Calculus III (3)

Rectangular, cylindrical and spherical coordinates. Vectors, lines, planes, cylinders, quadric surfaces. Vector functions, curves, motion in space. Differential and integral calculus of several variables. Vector fields, line integrals, fundamental theorem for line integrals, Green's theorem. Prerequisite: MATH 152; or MATH 155 or MATH 158 with a grade of at least B. Recommended: It is recommended that MATH 240 or 232 be taken before or concurrently with MATH 251. Quantitative.

STAT 270 - Introduction to Probability and Statistics (3)

Basic laws of probability, sample distributions. Introduction to statistical inference and applications. Corequisite: MATH 152 or 155 or 158. Students wishing an intuitive appreciation of a broad range of statistical strategies may wish to take STAT 100 first. Quantitative. Prerequisite: COREQ-MATH 152 or 155 or 158. Students wishing an intuitive appreciation of a broad range of statistical strategies may wish to take STAT 100 first. Equivalent Courses: STAT102 STAT103 STAT201 STAT203 STAT301. Quantitative.

STAT 285 - Intermediate Probability and Statistics (3)

This course is a continuation of STAT 270. Review of probability models, procedures for statistical inference from survey results and experimental data. Statistical model building. Elementary design of experiments and regression methods. Introduction to categorical data analysis. Prerequisite: STAT 270. Prerequisite or corequisite MATH 232 or MATH 240. This course may not be taken for credit by students who have credit for STAT 330 prior to Fall 2003. Quantitative.

and one of

MATH 150 - Calculus I with Review (4)

Designed for students specializing in mathematics, physics, chemistry, computing science and engineering. Topics as for Math 151 with a more extensive review of functions, their properties and their graphs. Recommended for students with no previous knowledge of Calculus. In addition to regularly scheduled lectures, students enrolled in this course are encouraged to come for assistance to the Calculus Workshop (Burnaby), or Math Open Lab (Surrey). Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus 12 (or equivalent) with a grade of at least B+, or MATH 100 with a grade of at least B-, or achieving a satisfactory grade on the 間眅埶AV Calculus Readiness Test. Students with credit for either MATH 151, 154 or 157 may not take MATH 150 for further credit. Quantitative.

MATH 151 - Calculus I (3)

Designed for students specializing in mathematics, physics, chemistry, computing science and engineering. Logarithmic and exponential functions, trigonometric functions, inverse functions. Limits, continuity, and derivatives. Techniques of differentiation, including logarithmic and implicit differentiation. The Mean Value Theorem. Applications of Differentiation including extrema, curve sketching, related rates, Newton's method. Antiderivatives and applications. Conic sections, polar coordinates, parametric curves. Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus 12 (or equivalent) with a grade of at least A, or MATH 100 with a grade of at least B, or achieving a satisfactory grade on the 間眅埶AV Calculus Readiness Test. Students with credit for either MATH 150, 154 or 157 may not take MATH 151 for further credit. Quantitative.

and one of

MATH 232 - Applied Linear Algebra (3)

Linear equations, matrices, determinants. Introduction to vector spaces and linear transformations and bases. Complex numbers. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors; diagonalization. Inner products and orthogonality; least squares problems. An emphasis on applications involving matrix and vector calculations. Prerequisite: MATH 150 or 151; or MACM 101; or MATH 154 or 157, both with a grade of at least B. Students with credit for MATH 240 make not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.

MATH 240 - Algebra I: Linear Algebra (3) *

Linear equations, matrices, determinants. Real and abstract vector spaces, subspaces and linear transformations; basis and change of basis. Complex numbers. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors; diagonalization. Inner products and orthogonality; least squares problems. Applications. Subject is presented with an abstract emphais and includes proofs of the basic theorems. Prerequisite: MATH 150 or 151; or MACM 101; or MATH 154 or 157, both with a grade of at least B. Students with credit for MATH 232 cannot take this course for further credit. Quantitative.

and two of

BUS 207 - Managerial Economics (3)

Emphasis is upon the relevance of economic models to business decision-making and, in particular, upon the rational analysis of choice alternatives within the firm. Course will include consideration of optimizing techniques and analysis of risk, demand, production and profit in addition to examination of long-term investment decisions and business forecasting. Prerequisite: Econ 103, 105, MATH 157 and 15 units. Students with credit for ECON 301, ECON 201, or BUS 307 may not take BUS 207 for further credit. Quantitative.

BUS 251 - Financial Accounting I (3)

An introduction to financial accounting, including accounting terminology, understanding financial statements, analysis of a business entity using financial statements. Includes also time value of money and a critical review of the conventional accounting system. Prerequisite: 12 units. Students with credit for BUS 221 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.

BUS 254 - Managerial Accounting I (3)

Theory and methods of cost compilation for managerial planning, control and decision making; the use of budgets and analysis in planning and controlling operations, establishing supervisory and departmental responsibility, and various techniques of measuring results. Prerequisite: BUS 251; 15 units. Students with credit for BUS 324, BUS 328, or COMM 324 may not take BUS 254 for further credit. Quantitative.

ECON 290 - Canadian Microeconomic Policy (3)

A general survey of Canadian microeconomic policy issues. The course covers topics such as regulation, taxation, environmental and resource policy, health care, education and income distribution. Prerequisite: ECON 103 or 200 and ECON 105 or 205. Quantitative.

ECON 291 - Canadian Macroeconomic Policy (3)

A general survey of Canadian macroeconomic policy issues. Topics will include the costs of inflation and unemployment, monetary and fiscal policy, the effects of government debt and exchange rate policy. Prerequisite: ECON 103 or 200 and ECON 105 or 205. Quantitative.

ECON 310 - Money and Banking (3)

Banking theory and practice in a Canadian context; the supply theory of money; the demand for money and credit creation; monetary policy in a centralized banking system and in relation to international finance. Prerequisite: REQ-ECON 103 and 105, 60 units. Students with credit for ECON 210 or Econ 388 in 1131 cannot take ECON 310 for further credit. Quantitative.

and two lower or upper division CMPT courses. Recommended are CMPT 120 and 125, or CMPT 126 and any other CMPT course.

and two ENGL or PHIL courses.

* recommended

Upper Division Requirements

Students complete a minimum total of 32 units, including both of

ACMA 320 - Actuarial Mathematics I (5)

Survival distributions: age at death, life tables, fractional ages, mortality laws, select and ultimate life tables. Life insurance: actuarial present value function (apv), moments of apv, basic life insurance contracts, portfolio. Life annuities: actuarial accumulation function, moments of apv, basic life annuities. Net annual premiums: actuarial equivalence principle, loss function, accumulation type benefits. Actuarial reserves: prospective loss function, basic contracts, recursive equations, fractional durations. Covers part of the syllabus for Exam M of the Society of Actuaries and Exam 3 of the Casualty Actuarial Society, and covers practical applications such as computational aspects of pricing and reserving, and risk measurement of insurance portfolios. Prerequisite: STAT 285 and ACMA 210 (with a grade of C+ or higher). Quantitative.

STAT 330 - Introduction to Mathematical Statistics (3)

Review of probability and distributions. Multivariate distributions. Distributions of functions of random variables. Limiting distributions. Inference. Sufficient statistics for the exponential family. Maximum likelihood. Bayes estimation, Fisher information, limited distributions of MLEs. Likelihood ratio tests. Prerequisite: STAT 285 and MATH 251. Quantitative.

and four of

ACMA 315 - Credibility Theory (3)

Limited fluctuation credibility theory: full credibility, partial credibility. Greatest accuracy credibility theory: the Bayesian methodology, the credibility premium, the Buhlmann model, the Buhlmann-Straub model, exact credibility, linear versus Bayesian versus no credibility. Empirical Bayes parameter estimation: nonparametric estimation, semiparametric estimation, parametric estimation. Simulation: basics of simulation, simulation in actuarial modeling. Covers part of the syllabus for Exam C of the Society of Actuaries, and Exam 4 of the Casualty Actuarial Society. Prerequisite: STAT 285. Quantitative.

ACMA 335 - Risk Theory (3)

Basic distributional quantities: moments, percentiles, generating functions and sums of random variables. Classifying and creating distributions. Frequency and severity with coverage modifications: deductibles, the loss elimination ratio and the effect of inflation for ordinary deductibles, policy limits, coinsurance. Aggregate loss models. Multi-state transition models with actuarial applications: non-homogeneous Markov chains, cash flows and their actuarial present values. The exponential distribution and the Poisson process. Covers part of the syllabus for Exam M of the Society of Actuaries, and Exam 3 of Casualty Actuarial Society. Prerequisite: ACMA 320. Quantitative.

ACMA 425 - Actuarial Mathematics II (3)

Actuarial reserves: allocation of the loss to the policy years. Multiple life functions: joint-life, last-survivor. Multiple decrement models: stochastic and deterministic approaches, associated single decrement, fractional durations. Valuation theory for pension plans. Insurance models including expenses: gross premiums and reserves, type of expenses, modified reserves. Nonforfeiture benefits and dividends: equity concept, cash values insurance options, asset shares, dividends. Covers part of the syllabus for Exam M of the Society of Actuaries and Exam 3 of the Casualty Actuarial Society. Prerequisite: ACMA 320. Quantitative.

ACMA 445 - Loss Models: Estimation and Selection (3)

Quality of an estimator: unbiasedness, asymptotic unbiasedness, consistency, means squared error, uniform minimum variance. Confidence interval. Tests of hypotheses. Estimation for complete data. Estimation for grouped data. Estimation for modified data: Kaplan-Meier estimator, variances and confidence intervals of the empirical estimator, kernel density estimator. Parameter estimation. Variance of the estimators and confidence intervals. Model selection: graphical procedures, goodness-of-fit test, likelihood ratio test. Interpolation and smoothing. Covers part of the syllabus for Exam C of the Society of Actuaries and Exam 4 of the Casualty Actuarial Society. Prerequisite: ACMA 320. Quantitative.

STAT 450 - Statistical Theory (3)

Distribution theory, methods for constructing tests, estimators, and confidence intervals with special attention to likelihood methods. Properties of the procedures including large sample theory. Prerequisite: STAT 330. Quantitative.

and four of the following, at least one of which must be ACMA 465, 470 or 475.

ACMA 395 - Special Topics in Actuarial Science (3)

Topics in areas of actuarial science not covered in the regular certificate curriculum of the department. Prerequisite: Dependent on the topics covered.

ACMA 465 - Mathematics of Demography (3)

Data: Sources and Errors. Measures of mortality and fertility: Crude rates, Age-specific mortality rates, Adjusted measures of mortality. Construction of Life Tables from census data: 1989-91 U.S. Life Table, 1990-92 Canadian Life Table. Stationary Population Theory: survivorship group, Lexis diagram. Stable Population Theory: Sharpe-Lotka theorem, growth rate, quasi-stable populations. Population Projections: logistic curve, component method. Uses of Census Data: Funding Social Security. Prerequisite: ACMA 320. Students with credit for STAT 490 or ACMA 490 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.

ACMA 470 - Property and Casualty Insurance (3)

Ratemaking: terminology, process, trend, ultimate losses, expense provisions, profit and contingencies, overall rate indications, classification rates, increased limits. Individual risk rating: prospective systems, retrospective rating, design. Loss Reserving: accounting concepts, definitions, principles, loss reserving process. Risk classification: relationship to other mechanisms, criteria for selecting rating variables, examples, efficiency, estimating class relativities. Covers part of the syllabus for Exam 5 of Casualty Actuarial Society. Prerequisite: ACMA 320. Students with credit for ACMA 490 or STAT 490 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.

ACMA 475 - Theory of Pension (3)

Overview of pension plans: design, funding, regulation, accounting standards. Pension funding methods: actuarial cost methods, terminal funding method. Individual actuarial cost methods: accrual benefit cost method, entry-age actuarial cost method, unit-credit method, individual-level-premium method, attainted-age-normal method. Group actuarial cost methods. Prerequisite: ACMA 320. Corequisite: ACMA 425. Students with credit for STAT 490 or ACMA 490 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.

ACMA 490 - Selected Topics in Actuarial Science (3)

The topics included in this course will vary from term to term depending on faculty availability and student interest. Prerequisite: Dependent on the topic covered.

ACMA 495 - Directed Studies in Actuarial Science (3)

Independent study and/or research in topics chosen in consultation with the supervising instructor. Prerequisite: written permission from the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science undergraduate curriculum committee.

BUS 312 - Introduction to Finance (4)

Role and function of financial managers, financial analysis, compound interest valuation and capital budgeting, management of current assets, introduction to financial instruments and institutions. Prerequisite: BUS 254 (or 324); 60 units. Recommended: BUS 207, ECON 201, or ECON 301. Quantitative.

BUS 315 - Investments (4)

Investments from an individual and institutional point of view. Topics include: bond valuation and the term structure of interest rates, stock valuation, portfolio theory, asset pricing models, efficient markets and portfolio performance evaluation. Prerequisite: BUS 312, BUS 336 and BUS 207 or ECON 201 or ECON 301; 60 units. Quantitative.

BUS 316 - Derivative Securities (3)

The role derivative securities, mainly options and futures contracts, in controlling risk and enhancing profit opportunities. Valuation of derivative securities. The organization of options and futures markets and the mechanics of trading. Prerequisite: BUS 312, 336; 60 units. Students with credit for BUS 416 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.

BUS 360W - Business Communication (4)

This course is designed to assist students to improve their written and oral communication skills in business settings. The theory and practice of business communication will be presented. Topics include analysis of communication problems, message character, message monitoring, message media. Exercises in individual and group messages and presentations will be conducted. Prerequisite: 60 units; This course is only open to approved Business Administration majors, joint majors, or honors, and approved Management Systems Science or Actuarial Science majors. Students who have taken BUS 360 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.

BUS 410 - Financial Institutions (3)

An examination of financial institutions and the markets in which they operate. Topics may include: institutional structure, financial contract forms, valuation and pricing relationships, financial intermediation, financial transacting, the regulatory environment, risk measurement and hedging strategies. Prerequisite: BUS 315, 316, 360W; 60 units.

BUS 413 - Corporate Finance (4)

Corporate decisions in the context of financial markets. Topics include: real asset investments, financing alternatives, dividend policy, working capital management, and corporate securities valuation. Prerequisite: BUS 315, 316, 360W; 60 units.

BUS 419 - Advanced Derivative Securities (3)

This is a second course in derivative securities. Topics may include: extensions of the Black-Scholes model, pricing of American options, interest rate derivatives, complex derivatives and real options. Prerequisite: BUS 315, 316, 360W; 60 units. Students who have taken BUS 493 under the topic Advanced Derivative Securities may not take BUS 419 for further credit.

ECON 301 - Microeconomic Theory I: Competitive Behavior (4)

Aspects of microeconomic theory involving competitive markets. Topics include the behavior of households and firms, partial equilibrium analysis of product and factor markets, and general equilibrium. Prerequisite: ECON 103 or 200 and ECON 105 or 205; MATH 157; two 200 division ECON or BUEC courses (excluding BUEC 232), admission to an economics program prior to Fall 2012; 60 units. Students with credit for ECON 201 may not complete this course for further credit. Quantitative.

ECON 305 - Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory (5)

Concepts and methods of analysis of macroeconomic variables -- consumption, investment, government and foreign trade. Classical and Keynesian models compared; analysis of economic statics and dynamics. Prerequisite: ECON 201 or 301, 60 units. Students with a minimum grade of A- in ECON 103 and 105 at 間眅埶AV at their first attempt can complete ECON 305 concurrently with ECON 201 after 30 units. Students seeking permission to register on this basis must contact the undergraduate advisor in economics. Quantitative.

MACM 316 - Numerical Analysis I (3)

A presentation of the problems commonly arising in numerical analysis and scientific computing and the basic methods for their solutions. Prerequisite: MATH 152 or 155 or 158, and MATH 232 or 240, and computing experience. Quantitative.

MATH 308 - Linear Optimization (3)

Linear programming modelling. The simplex method and its variants. Duality theory. Post-optimality analysis. Applications and software. Additional topics may include: game theory, network simplex algorithm, and convex sets. Prerequisite: MATH 150, 151, 154, or 157 and MATH 240 or 232. Quantitative.

MATH 310 - Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations (3)

First-order differential equations, second- and higher-order linear equations, series solutions, introduction to Laplace transform, systems and numerical methods, applications in the physical, biological and social sciences. Prerequisite: MATH 152; or MATH 155/158 with a grade of at least B, MATH 232 or 240. Quantitative.

STAT 350 - Linear Models in Applied Statistics (3)

Theory and application of linear regression. Normal distribution theory. Hypothesis tests and confidence intervals. Model selection. Model diagnostics. Introduction to weighted least squares and generalized linear models. Prerequisite: STAT 285 and MATH 251. Quantitative.

STAT 380 - Introduction to Stochastic Processes (3)

Review of discrete and continuous probability models and relationships between them. Exploration of conditioning and conditional expectation. Markov chains. Random walks. Continuous time processes. Poisson process. Markov processes. Gaussian processes. Prerequisite: STAT 330. Quantitative.

Certain elective courses are pre-approved courses for Valuation by Educational Experience (VEE) units from the Society of Actuaries. Information is available at

Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements

Students admitted to 間眅埶AV beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See for university-wide information.

WQB Graduation Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required to earn W, Q or B credit

Requirement

Units

Notes
W - Writing

6

Must include at least one upper division course, taken at 間眅埶AV within the student’s major subject
Q - Quantitative

6

Q courses may be lower or upper division
B - Breadth

18

Designated Breadth Must be outside the student’s major subject, and may be lower or upper division
6 units Social Sciences: B-Soc
6 units Humanities: B-Hum
6 units Sciences: B-Sci

6

Additional Breadth 6 units outside the student’s major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements)

Back to Top

Faculty of Science Major Requirements

In addition to the above requirements, students must also satisfy Faculty of Science major program requirements to complete a total of 120 units including

  • additional upper division units to total a minimum of 44 upper division units (excluding EDUC 401 to 406)
  • students who were enrolled at 間眅埶AV between fall 1991 and summer 2006 are required to complete a minimum of 12 units in subjects outside the Faculty of Science (excluding EDUC 401 to 406) including six units minimum to be completed in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit

The University’s residency requirement stipulates that, in most cases, total transfer and course challenge credit may not exceed 60 units, and may not include more than 15 as upper division work.

Elective Courses

In addition to the courses listed above, students should consult an academic advisor to plan the remaining required elective courses.

For calendar technical problems or errors, contact calendar-sfu@sfu.ca | Calendar Changes and Corrections