MATH20130

FUNDAMENTALS OF ACTUARIAL
AND
FINANCIAL MATHEMATICS I

Lecturer
Name: Dr Russell Higgs
Room: 3.52, School of Mathematical Sciences, NexusUCD,
Belfield Office Block 9
E-mail: Russell.Higgs@ucd.ie
Tel: (01) 716 2576
Feel free to come and see me if and when you have a question about
anything in this module. I usually remain in the classroom for a couple
of minutes after each lecture to allow any student who wants to speak
to me to do so. If your question demands a long answer or if you have
more than one question then make an appointment to see me. You
can do this after any lecture or, if you prefer, by sending me an e-mail
message.
My office hours for this module are on Tuesdays from 2.30 to 4.30 p.m.

Course Outline
Mission Statement of the Actuarial Profession: To develop the
role and enhance the reputation of the actuarial profession in providing expert and relevant solutions to financial and business problems,
especially those involving uncertain future events.
During this course you will learn:

to develop an understanding of basic financial instruments;

to develop computational skills used in the actuarial profession;
to develop team skills by working together on problems;
to develop a good class spirit (future financial contacts).

Prerequisites: There are no needed prerequisites for this module, but

its results will be used in survival models, financial theory and actuarial
investments.
1

INTRODUCTION

Prior Learning Requirements: A good knowledge of first year undergraduate calculus and algebra will be assumed, such as that given
in MATH10040, Numbers and Functions; MATH10270, Linear Algebra in the Mathematical Sciences; and MATH10300, Calculus in the
Mathematical Sciences or their equivalents from other universities.
Excluded: Students NOT taking a degree or diploma in Actuarial
Science CANNOT take this module.
Assessment: Designated homework problems will be collected and
marked, these marks will constitute 15% of the final mark for this
module. For BAFS, Masters and Diploma in Actuarial Science students
aiming for an exemption (CT1), assessment will be by the combination
of the two final marks in MATH20130 and MATH20210 in the second
semester. The MATH20130 examination is a two hour examination
with ten questions last year, answer all of them. Final pass mark is
40%.
The module is divided into nine units as listed below.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)

Generalised Cash Flow Models

The Time Value of Money
Interest Rates
Real and money interest rates
Discounting and Accumulating
Compound Interest Functions
Yield Equations
Loan Schedules
Project Appraisal

Reading List: The only book for this module is An Introduction to

the Mathematics of Finance by S.J. Garrett, published by Elsevier,
but you will also need a set of Formulae and Tables for Actuarial Examinations published by the Institute of Actuaries. The second is a
compulsory purchase whereas the first is optional. The second is available from Rhona Preston in the Mathematical Sciences Office at e 20
or
http://www.actuaries.org.uk/research-and-resources/eshop
at 15 (plus p & p), the textbook is available from the same website
at 45 (plus p & p) or from the Campus Bookshop.

INTRODUCTION

Lectures and Tutorials

Tuesday at 11 a.m. in Art C110

Tuesday at 1 p.m. in Ag G-09
Wednesday at 3 p.m. in Art C108
Friday at 11 a.m. in Eng 121

One of these four hours will be designated as a tutorial hour from week
three of the first semester.
Notes and Homework Assignments: Notes and homework sheets
are available on the relevant Blackboard pages. Solutions to homework
sheets will only be given on the (physical) blackboard in the tutorial.