EF5370 Mathematics and Statistics for Financial Services

Part I

 

Course Duration: 1 semester

Credit Units: 3

Level: P5

Medium of Instruction: English

Prerequisites: Nil

Precursors: Nil

Equivalent Courses: Nil

Exclusive Courses: Nil

Part II 

Course Aims


This course aims to equip students with the quantitative skills to carry out analysis in the insurance profession and to develop students’ creativity and originality through teaching, learning, and assessment tasks. The lectures encourage students to raise questions, apply innovative approaches, and discover optimal ways to deal with problems through in-class participation and discussion, which will also enhance students’ understanding of mathematical concepts.

Students are required to apply fundamental mathematical concepts to solve real world cases and designed scenarios. A final interpretation of the numerical solution with economic concepts shows the accomplishment of students’ ability to discover and innovate.

 

Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs)
Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to: 

No.

CILOs

Weighting
(if applicable)

1

Understand the fundamental concepts of interest theory, probability and risk measures. Students are encouraged to discover the underlying probability theories in real-world cases and/or designed scenarios

30%

2

Understand the basic concepts in life and non-life insurance mathematics. The attitude and ability of discovery and innovation are developed in deriving the mathematical solution to some insurance exercises.

35%

3

Apply various mathematical methods in life and non-life insurance in an innovative way. The mathematical solutions need to be supported by sound economic interpretations.

35%

   

 
Teac
hing and Learning Activities (TLAs)

(Indicative of likely activities and tasks designed to facilitate students’ achievement of the CILOs. Final details will be provided to students in their first week of attendance in this course)

CILO No.

TLAs

Functions

Hours/week   (if applicable)

CILOs 1, 2 & 3

Lecture

To provide basic concepts and structure of interest, probability, life and non-life insurance theories.

CILOs 1, 2 & 3

In-class exercise, homework

To give students hands-on experience with applications of concepts. Students are encouraged to apply mathematical concepts to solve real world problems. It helps cultivate students’ attitudes to innovate and apply.

CILOs 1, 2 & 3

Examinations

To assess the students’ understanding of mathematical methods in finance and insurance, and the ability to apply them and make innovations.

Assessment Tasks/Activities
(Indicative of likely activities and tasks designed to assess how well the students achieve the CILOs. Final details will be provided to students in their first week of attendance in this course)

Final examination (2 hours) 50%
Coursework50%
  
Total 100%

Constructive Alignment of CILOs and Assessment Methods: 
 

CILO No.

Type of Assessment Tasks/Activities

Weighting
(if applicable)

Remarks

CILOs 1, 2 & 3

In-class exercise, homework

50%

 

CILOs 1, 2 & 3

Examinations

50%

 

    

Summary of how DEC is incorporated in Assessment Tasks, and Teaching and Learning Activities (TLAs)

DEC Elements

ATs and TLAs

Develop students’ attitude to discover and innovate

  • In-class discussions and lectures
  • Exercises and homework questions

Enhance students’ abilities to discover and innovate

  • Exercises
  • Synthesis of mathematic, financial, and insurance concepts

Accomplishments of discovery and innovation

Real world problems in course works and the final exam


Grading of Student Achievemet

  Letter Grade  

Grade Points

Grade Definitions

 Remarks

A+
A
A-

4.3
4.0
3.7

Excellent

Strong evidence of the understanding of the statistical concepts and the ability to apply the mathematical methods in the relevant context. Students have demonstrated very strong overall ability to discover and innovate, and showed very strong evidence of accomplishments of discovery.

B+
B
B-

3.3
3.0
2.7

Good

Evidence of the understanding of the statistical concepts and the ability to apply the mathematical methods in the relevant context. Students have demonstrated strong overall ability to discover and innovate, and showed strong evidence of accomplishments of discovery.

C+
C
C-

2.3
2.0
1.7

Adequate

Some evidence of the understanding of the statistical concepts and the ability to apply the mathematical methods in the relevant context. Students have demonstrated some ability to discover and innovate, and showed satisfactory evidence of accomplishments of discovery.

D

1.0

Marginal

Basic familiarity with the subject matter in examinations. Students have demonstrated marginal ability to discover and innovate, and showed marginal evidence of accomplishments of discovery.

F

0.0

Failure

Little evidence of familiarity with the subject matter. Students have demonstrated little ability to discover and innovate, and showed marginal evidence of accomplishments of discovery.



Part III

Keyword Syllabus

1)     Review of Interest Theory

    a)     Simple interest, Compound interest
    b)    Future value, Present value, Net present value, Discount rate
    c)     Annuities

2)     Overview of Probability 

    a)     Random variables 

    b)    Probability densities 

    c)     Univariate and multivariate probability distributions 

    d)    Covariance and correlation coefficients

3)     Life Insurance Mathematics 

    a)     The life table

    b)    Life annuities

    c)     Life insurance

4)     Non-life Insurance Mathematics 

    a)     The collective risk models

    b)    Introduction to stochastic processes

Related Links
Department of Economics and Finance