Actuarial Science
The actuarial science major is specifically designed to prepare students for a career as an actuary. However, combined with the Central liberal arts education, students completing this major have a broad foundation that will prepare them for many different business-oriented careers. Students completing the actuarial science major will have a good foundation in the material for the actuarial industry’s first two exams and will have completed two and a half of the industry’s three required Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) requirements.
Faculty
- Mark Mills, Ph.D., associate professor of mathematics, director of actuary science,
millsm@central.edu
- Robert Franks, Ph.D., professor of computer science,
franksr@central.edu
- Stephen Fyfe, Ph.D., associate professor of computer science,
fyfes@central.edu
- Russell Goodman, Ph.D., assistant professor of mathematics,
goodmanr@central.edu
- Allen Hibbard, Ph.D., professor of mathematics and computer science,
hibbarda@central.edu
- Mark Johnson, Ph.D., associate professor of math and computer science,
johnsonm@central.edu
- Thomas Linton, Ph.D., associate professor of math and computer science,
lintont@central.edu
- Wendy Weber, Ph.D., associate professor of mathematics,
weberw@central.edu
- Lori Bell, Ph.D., assistant professor of economics
bellld@central.edu
- Andrew Campbell, M.B.A., visiting instructor of business management campbella@central.edu
- Debela Birru, M.B.A, associate professor of business management
birrud@central.edu
- Jann Freed, Ph.D., professor of business management, Mark and Kay DeCook Endowed Chair in Character and Leadership Development
freedj@central.edu
- Robert Maurer, M.B.A., associate professor of accounting
maurerr@central.edu
- Michael Murray Ph.D., assistant professor of economics
murraym@central.edu
- Brian Peterson, Ph.D., associate professor of economics
petersonbj@central.edu
- Jaclyn Rundle, Ph.D., associate professor of business management
rundlej@central.edu
Successful Careers
- Actuary, life pricing, Physicians Mutual Insurance Company, Omaha, Neb.
- Corporate Actuary, Jackson National Insurance Company, Lansing, Mich.
Courses
Required courses:
- Introduction to financial accounting
- Introduction to management accounting
- Principles of management
- Corporate finance
- Principles of investment
- Introduction to computer science
- Principles of microeconomics
- Principles of macroeconomics
- Research methods in economics
- Calculus I and II
- Applied statistics
- Multivariable calculus
- Linear algebra
- Mathematical modeling
- Probability
Other recommended courses
- Business law I
- Business law II
- Advanced financial management
- Data structures
- Intermediate microeconomics
- Intermediate macroeconomics
- Monetary theory and the financial system
- Statistics
- Numerical analysis
Get more details from the course catalog! (Note: this is a PDF file)
Sample Schedule
Freshman year
- Principles of microeconomics
- Principles of macroeconomics
- Calculus I and II
- Central core courses and electives
Sophomore year
- Introduction to financial accounting
- Principles of management
- Introduction to computer science
- Applied statistics
- Multivariable calculus
- Linear algebra
- Central core courses and electives
Junior and/or senior years
- Introduction to management accounting
- Corporate finance
- Principles of investment
- Research methods in economics
- Mathematical modeling
- Probability
- Central core courses and electives
Get more details from the course catalog! (Note: this is a PDF file)
Facilities
Actuarial science classes will be in the Vermeer Science Center and the Weller Center for Business and International Studies. The Vermeer Science Center went through a $20-million renovation and expansion that was completed in fall 2003. The building contains 13 high-tech classrooms. Each contains a ceiling-mounted projector, computer with flat panel monitor, Wolfvision document camera, combination VCR/DVD player and a Ken-a-vision flex camera. Vermeer also contains several computer labs with new Dell computers with flat panel monitors and the most recent versions of math and science computer programs. Central was awarded a silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) medal rating from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), making the science center the first LEED-rated building in the state.
The Weller Center for Business and International Studies houses faculty offices and classrooms for the economics, accounting, business management and modern language departments. The $3.9-million building was completed in 1999 and includes state-of-the-art technologies and a very energy efficient design, including solar panels on the roof. There is a 24-hour computer lab on the main floor and eight high-tech classrooms, two of which contain student computers.
Department Web site
Want to know more about majoring in actuarial science at Central? Check the department Web site.
Organizations
No matter what your interests are, Central has a student group or organization that you’ll want to join. Check out your options here.
Study Abroad
Students are encouraged to study abroad with one of Central’s eight international programs to enhance their development as global citizens, or with Central’s Chicago program and the Washington, D.C., program. Learn more about Central’s study abroad programs.
