Mathematics 381, Actuarial Models II, Fall 2020

Illinois State University – Mathematics Department

Instructors

Classes Meet

Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:00 p.m. – 5:50 p.m. (with a ten minute break), online, via Zoom. Information about Zoom access has been sent to all students enrolled in the class. If you experience any trouble accessing the class using Zoom, call Dr. Ostaszewski immediately.

Office Hours

Office hours will be held Tuesdays 2:30 p.m.– 3:50 p.m., by Dr. Krzysztof Ostaszewski, through Zoom at: https://illinoisstate.zoom.us/my/krzysio. Please ask for an appointment at other times. Appointments with Dr. Krzysztof Ostaszewski should be scheduled at: http://smartURL.it/appointment.

Textbooks

Study notes for this class will be provided on Reggienet.

The following textbooks are suggested, but not required:

• David C. M. Dickson, Mary R. Hardy, and Howard R. Waters, Actuarial Mathematics for Life Contingent Risks, Second Edition, Cambridge University Press, August 2013, ISBN: 9781107044074.

• Sheldon M. Ross, Introduction to Probability Models, 11th Edition, Academic Press, 2014, ISBN: 9780124079489.

Objective

The objective of this class is to help you learn about actuarial models, as studied in the Society of Actuaries Course LTAM Examination, (we cover the most advanced topics from this exam, beyond those covered in MAT 380) and the Casualty Actuarial Society Course MAS-I Examination. Course LTAM Examination material is covered in MAT 380 and this class, completely. Course MAS-I Examination material is covered in MAT 351, MAT 353, and this class, completely.

Grading

There will be a total of six tests. Any of the comprehensive tests (as indicated in the schedule) can count as a final. Because there will be many opportunities for testing and only the best three scores will affect the class grade (but with the opportunity for extra credit for two more tests), no make-up tests will be offered. The final will count as 40% of your grade, and the best two of the remaining tests will count as 30% of your grade each. You will also receive up to 10% extra credit for the best two (each) of the remaining tests. The grading scale for will be as follows: 90% or better — A, 80% to 90% — B, 70% to 80% — C, 60% to 70% — D, below 60% — F. Tests will be about 70% multiple choice, and the rest will be written answer. Students are strongly encouraged to explain their work thoroughly even in the multiple choice part of the test, as points for the work shown may be awarded. Also, this is an undergraduate class available for graduate credit, and this means that graduate students will be required to do additional work to earn the same grade as undergraduate students — this will be represented in the structure of the tests and the grading scheme. Graduate students should expect to do about 10% more work than undergraduate students for the same grade.
All tests in the class will be either take-home tests or be given online. Note that use of a webcam by each student may be required for tests in this class that will be given online. All test work must be submitted in Reggienet.

Class attendance

While this class does not have a strict formal attendance requirement, students who actively participate in class, and make a significant contribution may be granted extra credit. You are expected to attend classes and be involved in the learning process. If you must miss class due to an extended illness (3 or more consecutive class days) or bereavement, the Student Health Services and the Dean of Students Office can help. Please note this university policy: Excused Student Absences Due to Communicable Disease.

Important dates

Illinois State University withdrawal information for the Fall 2020 semester is given at this web site: http://www.registrar.ilstu.edu/registration/withdrawal/fall.shtml.

Student Access and Accommodation Services

Any student needing to arrange a reasonable accommodation for a documented disability and/or medical/mental health condition should contact Student Access and Accommodation Service at 350 Fell Hall, (309) 438-5853, or visit the website at StudentAccess.IllinoisState.edu.

No recording of this class is allowed

Students may not photograph or use audio or video devices to record classroom lectures or discussions or visual materials that accompany them (e.g., lecture slides, whiteboard notes/equations). Students with disabilities who need to record classroom lectures or discussions must contact Student Access and Accommodation Services to register, request and be approved for an accommodation. Students who violate this policy may be subject to both legal sanctions for violations of copyright law and disciplinary action under the University’s Code of Student Conduct.

Schedule of classes

• Tuesday, August 18, 2020. Markov processes and multi-state models.  
• Thursday, August 20, 2020. Markov processes and multi-state models. 
• Tuesday, August 25, 2020. Markov processes and multi-state models. 
• Thursday, August 27, 2020. Poisson processes. Class taught by Ken Williams.
• Tuesday, September 1, 2020. Poisson processes. Class taught by Ken Williams.
• Thursday, September 3, 2020. Poisson processes. Class taught by Ken Williams.
• Tuesday, September 8, 2020. Poisson processes. Class taught by Ken Williams.
• Thusday, September 10, 2020. Reliability theory.
• Tuesday, September 15, 2020. Reliability theory.
• Thursday, September 17, 2020. Reliability theory.
• Tuesday, September 22, 2020. Test No. 1, on the material covered through September 17, 2020.
• Thursday, September 24, 2020. Multiple decrements models.
• Tuesday, September 29, 2020. Multiple decrements models.
• Thursday, October 1, 2020. Multiple decrements models.
• Tuesday, October 6, 2020. Multiple lives models. Class taught by Ken Williams.
• Thursday, October 8, 2020, Multiple lives models. Class taught by Ken Williams.
• Tuesday, October 13, 2020. Multiple lives models. Class taught by Ken Williams.
• Thursday, October 15, 2020. Multiple lives models. Class taught by Ken Williams.
• Tuesday, October 20, 2020. Test No. 2, on the material covered through October 15, 2020.
• Thursday, October 22, 2020. Yield curves and non-diversifiable risk. Models including expenses and profit testing for traditional life insurance.
• Tuesday, October 27, 2020. Models including expenses and profit testing for traditional life insurance.
• Thursday, October 29. 2020. Models including expenses and profit testing for traditional life insurance. Pension mathematics.
• Tuesday, November 3, 2020. Election Day. Holiday.
• Thursday, November 5, 2020. Test No. 3, on the material covered through November 3, 2020. 
• Tuesday, November 10, 2020. Pension mathematics.
• Thursday, November 12, 2020. Additional long-term insurance models.
• Tuesday, November 17, 2020. Additional long-term insurance models.
• Thursday, November 19, 2020. Estimation (this topic is on exam LTAM, but will not be tested in this class, because it is also covered in MAT 384).
• Tuesday, December 1, 2020. Test No. 4, comprehensive. Any of the last three tests can count as your final examination.
• Thursday, December 3, 2020. Test No. 5, comprehensive. Any of the last three tests can count as your final examination.
• Wednesday, December 9, 2020, 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.: Test No. 6, comprehensive. Any of the last three tests can count as your final examination.

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All information contained here is, to our best knowledge, correct, but it is merely a representation, and should not be considered to be any form of professional advice. This electronic publication should not be misconstrued as the official position of Illinois State University, or its Department of Mathematics. We are glad to provide as much information as possible here, but we kindly ask that in any decision related to matters listed here you seek additional counsel and information. Comments on this Home Page are welcome and should be sent to Dr. Krzysztof Ostaszewski  at his e-mail address: krzysio@ilstu.edu.