University Catalogs

Actuarial Science Major (B.S.)

Actuarial Science utilizes mathematics, statistics, and finance to estimate risk, price products, and determine required reserves in the insurance, banking, and financial services industries. Actuarial Science majors gain skills to understand, evaluate, and manage complex financial products and to communicate short- and long-term risks. Candidates develop deep technical skills, such as the valuation of probabilistic financial instruments and the time value of money.  Actuarial Science majors also gain practical experience by applying statistical software and mathematical models to analyze data and forecast a variety of potential outcomes to inform business decisions. Throughout, candidates will develop communication skills needed to interact effectively with stakeholders from a broad spectrum of business backgrounds.

Bentley offers specialized courses to help students prepare for up to four of the professional credentialing exams administered by the Society of Actuaries or the Casualty Actuarial Society. Bentley also offers courses that fulfill all Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) requirements for these societies. Most students complete at least two credentialing exams and one internship during their undergraduate years, and the department maintains close contact with many of our alumni/alumnae who work in this field.

For further information about degree requirement policies and guidelines, see the Degree Requirements page.

Major Requirements

Prerequisite Course

Course Title Credits
MA 131Calculus I3
or MA 131L Calculus I with Lab

Program Requirements

Course Title Credits
Required Courses:
MA 139Calculus II3
or MA 139L Calculus II with Lab
MA 214Intermediate Applied Statistics3
MA 233Calculus III3
MA 239Linear Algebra3
MA 252Regression Analysis3
MA 263Continuous Probability for Risk Management3
MA 310Actuarial Topics in Probability and Risk Management3
or MA 357 Mathematical Theory of Interest
Select two of the following:6
Discrete Probability
Actuarial Topics in Probability and Risk Management 1
Financial Calculus and Derivative Pricing
The Mathematics of Discrete Options Pricing
Mathematical Statistics
Mathematical Theory of Interest 1
Fundamentals of Short-Term Actuarial Mathematics
Fundamentals of Long-Term Actuarial Mathematics
Advanced Long Term Actuarial Mathematics
Introduction to Generalized Linear Models and Survival Analysis in Business
Total Credits27
1

If not already used in the major.

General Degree Requirements

Foundations for Success (15 Credits)

Course Title Credits
FDS 100Falcon Discovery Seminar3
Communications and Writing
Select one from:
EMS 101Critical Reading and Writing3
or EMS 101L Critical Reading and Writing with Lab
or EMS 102 Critical Reading and Writing for Multilingual Students
or EMS 102L Critical Reading and Writing for Multilingual Students with Lab
And one from:
EMS 104Multimodal Communication3
or EMS 105 Multimodal Communication for Multilingual Students
Information Technology
CS 100Solving Business Problems with Information Technology 3
Mathematical Sciences
Select one from:
MA 105Mathematical Foundations for Business3
or MA 105L Mathematical Foundations for Business with Lab
or MA 107 Applied Calculus for Business
or MA 107L Applied Calculus for Business with Lab
or MA 131 Calculus I
or MA 131L Calculus I with Lab
Total Credits15

Context and Perspectives (18 Credits)

Course Title Credits
Students must take six courses, one in each category of Context and Perspectives:
Total Credits18

Business Dynamics/Business Administration Minor (18 Credits)

Course Title Credits
All courses are required:
AC 115Introduction to Financial Reporting and Analysis3
EC 111Principles of Microeconomics3
FI 118Introduction to Finance3
LA 100Business Law3
MG 116Human Dynamics in Organizations3
ST 113Business Statistics3
Total Credits18

Communication Intensive

All students are required to take a three-credit course designated as a Communication Intensive. This requirement can be met within a variety of course subjects in both Arts & Sciences and Business. Communication Intensive courses are designated with a "Communication Intensive" course tag in Workday. Transfer students with a minimum of 30 credits will be waived from the Communication Intensive requirement.

Please note that certain majors have an additional three-credit Communication Intensive built into their major requirements, separate from the general CI requirement.

Additional Requirements

Unrestricted Electives (42 Credits)

Course Title Credits
Select 14 elective courses42
Total Credits42

Total: 120 Credits