2026-2027 Course Catalog

Source: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/las/actuarial-science-bslas/ Parent: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences in Actuarial Science

This major is sponsored by the Department of Mathematics, and is an interdisciplinary subject involving mathematics, statistics, and financial economics. It is designed to prepare students to enter the actuarial profession, as well as to provide a background in quantitative finance and risk management.

Undergraduate programs in Mathematics

• Actuarial Science, BSLAS
• Mathematics, BSLAS
• Mathematics & Computer Science, BSLAS

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences in Actuarial Science

Departmental distinction: To qualify for distinction, the student must have a grade point average in ASRM courses of at least 3.25, and pass at least two examinations offered by the professional actuarial societies. To qualify for high or highest distinction, the student must have passed at least three professional exams, with highest distinction going to those whose grade point averages in mathematics are at least 3.75. Finance courses and additional professional exams may also be given consideration in close decisions.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.

Minimum hours required major and supporting course work normally equates to 58-61 hours including 32-33 hours of actuarial courses beyond calculus. Twelve hours of 300- or 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.

University Requirements

The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements

Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | Composition I | | 4-6 | | Advanced Composition | | 3 | | Humanities & the Arts (6 hours) | | 6 | | Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours) | | 6 | | Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours) | | 6 | | Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course) | | 3 | | Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course) | | 3 | | Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) | | 3 | | Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I) | | 6-10 | | fulfilled by MATH 220 or MATH 221, MATH 231, MATH 241 | | | | Language Requirement (Completion of the fourth semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required) | | 0-20 |

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | Orientation and Professional Development | | | | LAS 101 | Design Your First Year Experience | 1 | | OR | | | | LAS 100 & LAS 101 | Success in LAS for International Students and Design Your First Year Experience | 3 | | OR | | | | LAS 102 | Transfer Advantage | 1 | | Total Hours | | 1 or 3 |

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | Major Requirements | | | | Calculus sequence: | | 11-12 | | MATH 220 | Calculus | | | or MATH 221 | Calculus I | | | MATH 231 | Calculus II | | | MATH 241 | Calculus III (or equivalent ) | | | Select one of the following: | | 3-4 | | ASRM 195 | Foundations of Data Management | | | CS 101 | Intro Computing: Engrg & Sci | | | CS 124 | Introduction to Computer Science I | | | CS 125 | Introduction to Computer Science | | | ASRM 210 | Theory of Interest | 3 | | Select one of the following sequences (ASRM preferred): | | 7-8 | | ASRM 401 & ASRM 402 | Actuarial Statistics I and Actuarial Statistics II | | | OR | | | | STAT 400 & STAT 410 | Statistics and Probability I and Statistics and Probability II | | | ASRM 406 | Linear Algebra with Financial Applications | 3 | | ASRM 441 | Statistics for Risk Modeling I | 4 | | Select three or more of the following for a total of at least 12 credits: | | 12 | | ASRM 409 | Stochastic Processes for Finance and Insurance | | | ASRM 410 | Investments and Financial Markets | | | ASRM 442 | Statistics for Risk Modeling II | | | ASRM 451 | Basics of Statistical Learning | | | ASRM 454 | Generalized Linear Models | | | ASRM 455 | Predictive Analytics | | | ASRM 461 | Loss Models | | | ASRM 462 | Advanced Loss Models, Credibility, and Ratemaking | | | ASRM 469 | Casualty Actuarial Mathematics | | | ASRM 471 | Life Contingencies I | | | ASRM 472 | Life Contingencies II | | | Select an additional course from the above list or an approved section of ASRM 499 | | 3 | | Announcements for ASRM 499 topics courses will include information about whether the topic is approved for use in the major, as will the course syllabus. | | | | FIN 221 | Corporate Finance | 3 | | Three additional courses from: | | 9 | | ACCY 200 | Fundamentals of Accounting | | | ECON 302 | Inter Microeconomic Theory | | | ECON 303 | Inter Macroeconomic Theory | | | FIN 230 | Introduction to Insurance | | | FIN 300 | Financial Markets | | | FIN 321 | Advanced Corporate Finance | | | FIN 431 | Property-Liability Insurance | | | FIN 432 | Managing Market Risks for Financial Institutions | | | FIN 434 | Employee Benefit Plans | | | Total Hours | | 58-61 |

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences in Actuarial Science

Sample Sequence

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a fourth level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.

Total Hours: 120

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences in Actuarial Science

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Have sufficient exposure to actuarial and financial mathematics to be familiar with at least 80% of the material on five of the preliminary Society of Actuaries (SOA) credentialing exams.
2. Be familiar with the role of insurance in society, basic economic theory, and the basics of how insurance and financial markets operate.
3. Have familiarity with several of the technical tools, computer languages or software packages used by actuaries.
4. Develop communication, leadership and teamwork skills, and understand their importance in the actuarial industry.
5. Be able to apply this knowledge and these skills in new combinations and to new problems.

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences in Actuarial Science

Actuarial Science and Risk Management

Actuarial Science faculty\ ASRM-advising@illinois.edu

Department of Mathematics website

Overview of College Admissions & Requirements: Liberal Arts & Sciences\ College of Liberal Arts and Sciences website