Mathematics: Actuarial Science
Bowling Green State University is proud to be recognized as one of Ohio’s best colleges for actuarial science. Our Bachelor of Science degree in actuarial science is designed for analytically-minded problem-solvers who go beyond number-crunching.
Actuaries use their expertise to provide valuable insights in key areas such as:
- Risk assessment
- Financial stability
- Long-term strategic planning
- Capital allocation
Actuaries apply advanced mathematical and statistical techniques to model uncertainties and guide decision-making in industries like insurance, consulting, finance, technology and government.
The BGSU actuarial science degree prepares you for three key professional exams, leading to designations such as Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA) and Associate of the Casualty Actuarial Society (ACAS).
Why study actuarial science at BGSU in Ohio?
- Internationally-recognized curriculum. The BGSU actuarial curriculum is recognized by the Society of Actuaries. It prepares you for three professional actuarial exams (Exams P, FM and FAM). It also provides all Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) coursework required in economics, finance/accounting and mathematical statistics.
- Industry connections and opportunities. In collaboration with the Schmidthorst College of Business, Gamma Iota Sigma connects actuarial science and risk management students with key industry professionals. Actuarial science majors who join this international business fraternity have valuable travel, networking and professional development opportunities. You can enhance your skills, attend workshops and secure top internships.
- Research excellence. Our commitment to research is a point of pride. BGSU faculty have published influential research in renowned industry journals, including the North American Actuarial Journal and the Journal of Risk and Insurance.
- Faculty mentorship. Get personal guidance from accomplished faculty with actuarial credentials and advanced degrees in mathematics, statistics and risk management.
- Integrated coursework. BGSU’s forward-looking curriculum stays ahead of industry trends. We integrate business courses into the actuarial science program. This prepares graduates to quickly excel in fields such as risk management, insurance and financial analysis.
Admissions information
Students entering the BGSU actuarial science degree program should have four years of college preparatory mathematics in high school. While calculus is not required, students can earn credit for one or two calculus courses by taking Advanced Placement exams while in high school.
Career – what can you do with an actuarial science degree?
Career opportunities in the fields of actuarial science, statistics and data continue to be abundant, consistently ranking in the top five on career surveys.
Employers recognize the strength of our program. BGSU graduates enter a wide range of actuarial science careers in diverse industries:
- Insurance. Actuaries in insurance develop models to assess risks and determine premiums for health, life and property insurance.
- Finance. Actuaries in finance manage risk and promote long-term financial stability for banks and investment firms.
- Consulting. Consultant actuaries provide expert advice on risk management strategies, pension plans and employee benefits.
- Government. Actuaries in government contribute to Social Security planning, public health initiatives and disaster risk management.
Success in the actuarial field requires passing rigorous exams from the Society of Actuaries or the Casualty Actuarial Society. BGSU offers extensive preparation for these challenging exams.
Career paths
- Actuary
- Risk analyst
- Pension consultant
- Insurance underwriter
- Financial analyst
- Data scientist
- Enterprise risk manager
- Quantitative analyst (“Quant”)
- Consulting actuary
Quick Facts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Job outlook for actuarial science careers is forecasted to grow 22% over the next decade – far faster than average.
(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Curriculum
The BGSU actuarial curriculum is recognized by the Society of Actuaries. It prepares you for three professional actuarial exams (Exams P, FM and FAM). It also provides all Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) coursework required in economics, finance/accounting and mathematical statistics.
The curriculum covers all foundational concepts used by those in top actuarial science jobs, including probability, interest theory, life contingencies, statistical modeling, ratemaking and reserving. Other required courses include accounting, economics, finance, calculus, applied statistics and computer science.
Core actuarial science courses are also available at the graduate level for those pursuing a master's degree in areas such as math, statistics or data science.
Program requirements are regularly reviewed and updated to keep pace with evolving industry demands and the requirements set by professional actuarial societies.
BGSU offers opportunities for internships and full-time positions to help students gain real-world experience. Employers actively recruit on campus.
Sample courses
- Calculus
- Financial Mathematics
- Actuarial Mathematics
- Probability & Statistics
- Regression Analysis
- Computer Science
The actuarial science program is part of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics in the BGSU College of Arts and Sciences.
Updated: 10/07/2024 10:35AM